The Launch at 20Fathoms

You’ve planted the seed. 20Fathoms can help your business grow.

Entrepreneurship & Startup Support

The Launch at 20Fathoms is our program for entrepreneurs and startup founders in the Grand Traverse Region. It is designed to remove barriers and help you and your business succeed.

Attend a business education class. Refine your ideas with the help of a business coach. Connect with research universities. Meet funders and professional service providers. Network with industry insiders.

At 20Fathoms, you’ll meet startup leaders, have the opportunity to tap into the expertise of other founders, and build valuable business connections.

Explore The Launch at 20Fathoms

We know that every business is unique. Choose the resources you need, when you need them.

Access Capital

Check out our access to capital guide that describes the primary options for each phase of your business, as well as some of the pros and cons worth considering as you develop your funding strategy.

View the guide

Find Classes & Education

Learn how to build and grow your business through classes hosted by 20Fathoms and our partners. Topics include business essentials, access to capital, customer discovery, and much more.

Find a class

Meet with a Mentor

Connect with startup and business experts who can help your business grow. Our network of successful business leaders can provide guidance and help you avoid common mistakes.

Find a mentor

Find Workspace

Get down to business and increase your productivity by working in a professional shared office space. With private offices and five coworking space options, we’ve got the space to meet your needs.

20Fathoms coworking space

Make your pitch

Traverse City is home to a monthly pitch competition with TCNewTech. 20Fathoms can help you prepare your pitch for this or other pitch competitions in our region.

Find a pitch event

Expand your Network

Traverse City offers a number of opportunities to meet new people including investors, mentors, professional service providers, successful business owners, and other entrepreneurs.

Get connected

Join the Traverse City Startup + Tech Hub

The Startup + Tech Hub is an online community created by 20Fathoms that provides resources and connections for the region’s entrepreneurs, tech professionals, and ecosystem partners. In one easy-to-use website you’ll find events, news, programs, tools, a discussion board, a community of innovators, and much more.

Get started

Matt Goddard Co-founder & President, Hybrid Robotics

“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.”

1/4

Macie Hefron Owner/Operator, Wheels on Rails

“As a young entrepreneur who started out with little answers on how to get this business running, I reached out to 20Fathoms from a simple search on the web and have been granted so much helpful advice, including the big steps leading up to my very first TCNewTech pitch. They give so much of their time and personal experiences to help the start ups in the TC area. For that, I’m so grateful to work with them and continue to build my business in their region.”

2/4

Stephen Johanson President & Founder, Starboard Solutions Corp.

“20Fathoms, first and foremost, are just a good bunch of people. Part of the challenges of being an entrepreneur and working on your own is encouragement. Having a place to go with some progressively-minded people who you can knock ideas around with, go to lunch with, talk about your dogs with…it’s just a great community.”

3/4

Jodie Schanhals Founder & CEO, Meeting Maker

“20Fathoms, through its thoughtful and proactive approach and via the ever-widening entrepreneurial ecosystem it has created in northern Michigan, is an invaluable ally for companies like MeetingMaker.”

4/4