In case you missed them, here are the most-read articles from the 20Fathoms website this year.
1. 20Fathoms Awarded $7.3 Million in Grant Funding from the State of Michigan and the U.S. Economic Development Administration
Nov. 11 | 20Fathoms is pleased to announce that the organization has secured two significant grants to support the growth of tech startups and small businesses in Northwest Michigan. This includes $3.3 million from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Small Business Support Hubs program and $4 million in grants and matching funds from the U.S. Economic Development Administration Build to Scale Venture Challenge grant.
2. New Information Technology Support Class: Earn the CompTIA+ Certificate in Just 8 Weeks
Sep. 13 | To address the need of local employers, 20Fathoms has collaboratively brought forward a new industry recognized credential class, CompTIA IT+ Fundamentals, which is now being offered through Northwestern Michigan College Extended Education & Training and designed and taught by NMC’s Computer Information Technology department.
3. Join the 20Fathoms Mug Club
Apr. 14 | Show your love for 20Fathoms by joining our brand new Mug Club! You’ll receive a limited-edition, numbered 20Fathoms mug, hand thrown by local artist Clay Maas. This is a great way for you to support our growing tech and entrepreneurship community in Traverse City.
4. Startup Spotlight: MediCool Technologies
Nov. 8 | MediCool Technologies uses cool technologies to treat dangerous cardiac arrhythmias and other disorders. We are currently focused on treating atrial fibrillation, the most common cardiac arrhythmia which affects over 6 million patients in the US alone, and costs the US economy over $26B annually.
5. $1.6 Million in Funding for Freshwater Research & Innovation Center
Jan. 1 | The Discovery Center & Pier, will receive $1.6 million for the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center project in Traverse City as part of the federal government funding bill recently passed by Congress. Once complete, the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center will establish the Grand Traverse region as a hub for applied freshwater innovation, offering research, education, commercialization, incubation, and acceleration programs.
6. Mia Azpeitia Joins 20Fathoms as Director of Operations
Nov. 6 | In this role, Mia is responsible for all day-to-day operations of 20Fathoms, including the execution of key programs, management of the coworking space, key performance tracking, and event management.
7. Startup Spotlight: FirstIgnite
Jan. 9 | FirstIgnite is a marketplace where companies can search, find, and partner with university innovators around the globe from any technical discipline. Prior to FirstIgnite, it was difficult for companies to find and partner with university professors on a global scale.
8. Startup Spotlight: Hacha Products
Feb. 1 | Hacha Products is a distribution company focused on products that filter water. We signed a campaign for disaster preparedness kits with Global Empowerment Mission, which has warehouses in Florida, California, Poland, and Guatemala. They provide disaster and humanitarian relief to 40 countries and all 50 US states.
9. Startup Spotlight: Noora Health
Jun. 9 | Noora Health aims to improve health outcomes and strengthen health systems by equipping patients and their loved ones with essential caregiving skills. Working across 400+ health facilities in India and Bangladesh and rapidly growing, we use our flagship caregiver education and training curriculum, the Care Companion Program, to turn hospital hallways and waiting rooms into classrooms.
10. Coalition Applauds $15 Million in Funding for Freshwater Research & Innovation Center
Jun. 29 | The Traverse City Freshwater Research & Innovation Center Project is set to receive $15 million for the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center project in Traverse City as part of the Michigan State fiscal year 2024 budget passed by the Legislature on June 28.