GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — West Michigan’s newest tech startup incubator, The Bridge, will open in just over a month.
The entrepreneurial hub is located on the fourth floor of the Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building. The high-tech, high-growth space is the result of a partnership between Spartan Innovations, Health innovation Partners, Rockford Construction, Walsh Investors, Walsh Construction and Murphy Development Group.
“The goal here is to find things that move the needle to make people’s lives better, happier and healthier,” said Kyle McGregor, director of health innovations at Spartan Innovations.
The nearly 20,000 square foot space is designed to promote networking and growth for budding entrepreneurs. Terra Osman, who founded the market app Farmingone of the first tenants and recipients of the many resources offered by The Bridge.
“Users can create free listings for things like backyard chicken eggs, produce, garden supplies, plants, trees and honey,” Osman explained of his app. “Buyers can search a map by location or keyword and then message the seller to complete the sale.”
Since launching the app from her children’s playroom in March, Farmish has seen 220,000 unique downloads, according to Osman.
“These are the people and resources that have helped Farmish grow. I’m waiting for this (space) to be finished because it will have a big impact on my business under the same roof and being able to work alongside them,” she said.
Rental applications are open. McGregor told News 8 they have about a dozen tenants pending a March opening.
“We can make this a one-stop shop where you’re not coming to put together your business plan,” he said. “It’s about getting your business plan, getting your marketing, working on your platform, talking to lawyers, talking to HR people… we got it here.”
