Building Traverse City’s digital economy.
Local tech job creation and tech-based entrepreneurship strengthens our economy. Together with our partners, 20Fathoms provides critical resources and removes barriers to help achieve these outcomes.
Since our founding in 2018, 20Fathoms has experienced steady growth and expanded our services to tackle the broader challenges facing our local entrepreneurs and business leaders such as skilled worker shortages and access to capital. We have worked closely with regional partners, as well as state and national experts, to remove barriers and foster economic development.
Some of our accomplishments are included here.
Six startups have graduated from our startup incubator: ATLAS Space Operations (pictured here), HealthBridge, SampleServe, Birch Infrastructure, Starboard Solutions, and Hybrid Robotics.
The 20Fathoms startup incubator removes barriers and provides valuable resources including access to capital, affordable office space, and educational programming. The rapid growth of these startups led to new jobs and investment in Traverse City.
Software developers and cybersecurity professionals at all stages of their careers gained skills training through tccodes and tccyber.
The program was designed to not only provide high-quality tech education, but to be highly accessible, welcoming, and supportive for all learners. Due to 20Fathoms’ success, we received grant funding for program expansion and related workforce development initiatives.
20Fathoms provides programs and resources that help local entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses:
Our coworking space provides remote workers, entrepreneurs, and visitors with a professional work environment, fast WiFi, meeting rooms, and community. A 2020 office relocation doubled our space and allowed for record growth as many people sought an alternative to working from home. Options include:
20Fathoms is well-connected to a network of investors and other funding sources in our region and beyond, some of whom work out of our coworking space.
These digital health and telehealth companies are building bold solutions for some of rural healthcare’s biggest challenges.
Program participants received nearly 200 hours of instruction, mentorship, and networking. The slate of speakers included more than 70 senior healthcare leaders, serial entrepreneurs, and investors who shared their time and expertise. Notably, keynote presentations were provided by leaders from Google, Anthem, Verizon, Cleveland Clinic, Texas A&M, American Telemedicine Association, Munson Healthcare, Boomerang Catapult, and HealthBridge.
Pictured: Bre Loughlin, Founder & CEO of Nurse Disrupted, a HealthSpark Accelerator graduate
“Early on, we had a spot at the 20Fathoms coworking space and that’s where we started to build the company. It was great meeting investors and meeting other companies. It provided the structure that we needed to move forward to as a manufacturing company.”
“20Fathoms is a beautiful space to work in and they have sophisticated technology that makes my job easier. Beyond that, you can find community, inspiration, and friendships.”
“20Fathoms provides a valuable ecosystem for companies in their infancy. It is more than a place to go to work, it is a diverse group of people, skills, and perspectives. Starboard has benefited greatly from the relationships built and ideas exchanged in this community.”
“Moving from a 4,200 square feet living area to an 1,100 square foot one, I needed to find a work environment that separates my work from my personal life. Initially, I was just looking for workspace in the Traverse City area. But I was also hoping to implement the ‘giving back’ of sharing my business experience. Conversely, gaining current knowledge and perspectives of those newer to the workforce keeps me young in thought and able to be a more effective communicator. 20Fathoms provides me a workspace, but now so much more.”
