20Fathoms accelerates the growth of tech startups and scalable businesses in Northwest Michigan by delivering what founders need, including access to capital, expert coaching, a killer workspace, and a community that genuinely wants to see each other succeed.
20Fathoms was founded in 2018 in Traverse City. From 1:1 coaching, to weekly Breakfast Lab workshops where founders can dive into business strategy and education, to in-depth customer discovery workshops, we are constantly iterating and evolving to meet the needs of our region’s hardworking entrepreneurs.
In 2025 alone we served 288 entrepreneurs across 10 Northwest Michigan counties through training, coaching, and access to funding. 50% of those supported are traditionally underfunded founders including women and Native Americans.
Together, we are mobilizing innovation and entrepreneurship to create year-round and high-value jobs, an engaged workforce, and thriving families in our community.
Our office overlooks Grand Traverse Bay, which stays crystal clear down to – wait for it – 20 fathoms (120 feet). “Fathom” also means to understand something complex, which is basically an entrepreneur’s full time job. And in Old English, “fathom” meant “outstretched arms,” which is how it became a unit of measurement.
We’re named after our location, our problem-solving mentality, and the warm welcome you’ll get when you walk through our doors.
Advancing innovative companies by linking them to resources, funding, and expertise.
A lively coworking space and private offices with lots of amenities and amazing views of the bay.
Energetic, high-quality events and resources to meet people and create a strong business foundation.
We have an experienced, dedicated staff ready to help you reach your business goals.
We get to live here. That is a mantra that locals hold close and a tenet that 20Fathoms was founded on in 2018: both that we can live here, and that we can build here. Scale here. Lead from here.
Northern Michigan can be both beautiful and ambitious: a place where talented people can stay, grow, and thrive.
We’re building a place worth investing in, whether you’re someone with a business idea or someone who wants to support that vision.
We are grateful for our corporate donors, higher education institutions, and local community organizations, who help fund our vision as Northwest Michigan’s hub of entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation.
