Start Garden

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Start Garden Opportunity Starts Here. Bringing together financial, intellectual and social capital to entrepreneurs to empower West Michigan's startup ecosystem.

10/16/2026

The ideas keep coming, and the community keeps showing up.

September’s 5x5 Night was another great reminder of what makes West Michigan’s entrepreneurial community special.

From the founders taking the stage to everyone showing up to listen, connect, and support, we’re grateful for the energy you continue to bring to these events.

A special congratulations to Carbon Dragon Technologies, our September 5x5 Night winner!

While we won’t be hosting a 5x5 Night this October, there’s an even bigger opportunity to support local entrepreneurs coming up next week.

Start Garden’s Demo Day is happening Thursday, October 22!

Join us as 50 founders showcase their businesses, connect with the community, and celebrate the next chapter of their entrepreneurial journeys.

Thursday, October 22 5-9 PM
Start Garden + Bamboo | Grand Rapids
Free and open to the public

Thank you for continuing to show up for our founders. Let’s bring that same energy to Demo Day!

We’ll see you next week.

50 founders. Big ideas. One community ready to celebrate what's next.The countdown to Start Garden's 2026 Demo Day is on...
10/14/2026

50 founders. Big ideas. One community ready to celebrate what's next.

The countdown to Start Garden's 2026 Demo Day is on!

Join us on October 22 as we bring together 50 entrepreneurs from across West Michigan to showcase their businesses, share what they've been building, and celebrate the next generation of local innovation.

This year, there's even more to be excited about, with up to $500,000 in grants, investments, loans, and business opportunities being announced live!

Come meet the founders, explore their products, make new connections, and be part of one of the biggest nights for entrepreneurship in Grand Rapids.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, community supporter, or just curious about what's being built in your backyard, we want you in the room.

Thursday, October 22
5PM – 9PM
Start Garden + Bamboo | 2 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids
FREE & open to the public

Come for the ideas. Stay for the connections. Celebrate the founders.

Register today and join us for Demo Day!

Today's a holiday, but does that mean you're taking the day off?For entrepreneurs, the line between work and personal ti...
10/12/2026

Today's a holiday, but does that mean you're taking the day off?

For entrepreneurs, the line between work and personal time can get blurry, especially when you're building something you're passionate about.

We're curious: Are you unplugging today, catching up on work, or doing a little bit of both?

Let us know in the comments.

Welcome Carlos Sanchez-Start Garden’s new co-executive director!Carlos has spent nearly two decades opening doors for We...
10/09/2026

Welcome Carlos Sanchez-Start Garden’s new co-executive director!

Carlos has spent nearly two decades opening doors for West Michigan entrepreneurs, leading Latino-centered programs and organizations at Davenport University, Ferris State University, the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan.

At Start Garden, he’ll help lead fundraising and partnerships, and hell deepen our work with the region’s Latino entrepreneurial community.

Welcome to the team, Carlos. We’re glad you’re here!

¡Le damos la bienvenida a Carlos Sanchez, el nuevo co-director ejecutivo de Start Garden!

Durante dos décadas, Carlos se ha dedicado a abrir puertas a emprendedores del oeste de Míchigan, liderando programas y organizaciones enfocadas en la comunidad latina en Davenport University, Ferris State University, la Cámara de Comercio Hispana del Oeste de Míchigan y el Centro Hispano del Oeste de Michigan.

En Start Garden, ayudará a dirigir la recaudación de fondos y las colaboraciones, así como profundizar nuestro trabajo con la comunidad empresarial latina de la región.

¡Bienvenido al equipo, Carlos. Nos alegra tenerte aquí!

Community is part of the work.Last Friday gave founders two opportunities to get in the room, build relationships, excha...
10/07/2026

Community is part of the work.

Last Friday gave founders two opportunities to get in the room, build relationships, exchange ideas, and spend time with people navigating many of the same challenges and opportunities.

From Michigan Founders Fund’s First Friday to Start Garden’s First Friday, the day was a reminder that entrepreneurship doesn’t have to happen in isolation.

Sometimes the connection you make today becomes the introduction, advice, collaboration, or opportunity you need tomorrow.

Keep showing up. Keep meeting people. Keep building community.

New week, new connections.Who’s one person you’d like to connect with this week to help move your business forward?Maybe...
10/05/2026

New week, new connections.

Who’s one person you’d like to connect with this week to help move your business forward?

Maybe it’s a potential customer, mentor, collaborator, investor, or simply another founder who understands what you’re building.

Drop it in the comments. Someone in the Start Garden community might be able to make the connection.

Two events. One Friday. Plenty of opportunities to connect.Tomorrow, we’re bringing the Start Garden community together ...
10/01/2026

Two events. One Friday. Plenty of opportunities to connect.

Tomorrow, we’re bringing the Start Garden community together twice for conversation, connection, and new relationships.

Founders First Friday | 10AM
Start your morning in the Start Garden Vault alongside fellow founders and entrepreneurs. Come ready to meet someone new, exchange ideas, and talk about what you’re building.

Start Garden First Friday | 5–8PM
Then come back in the evening as we open the Vault for First Friday. Connect with founders, creatives, investors, and community members from across West Michigan.

Start Garden Vault

Whether you join us in the morning, evening, or make a day of it and come to both—we’d love to have you in the room.

See you Friday!

Good ideas deserve to be heard.Tuesday’s 5x5 Night brought our community together to listen, connect, ask questions, and...
10/01/2026

Good ideas deserve to be heard.

Tuesday’s 5x5 Night brought our community together to listen, connect, ask questions, and support five founders willing to put their ideas out into the world.

A big thank you to this month’s finalists:

• for.
• LZR
• True Catering by Patria
• Carbon Dragon Technologies
• Agapè Advisory LLC

And a special congratulations to Carbon Dragon Technologies, our September 5x5 Night winner!

Thank you to everyone who filled the room and showed up for these founders. Every conversation, introduction, and word of encouragement helps strengthen the community around entrepreneurs and their ideas.

09/25/2026

What happens when creativity, community, and entrepreneurship come together?

For our latest Alumni Spotlight, we sat down with Michael Hyacinthe , co-founder of [HAS HEART]] and creator of Wimee’s World .

Michael’s journey has taken him from creating a space centered around veterans, coffee, and community to building imaginative experiences that help kids learn, create, and explore new technology.

Through each chapter, one thing has remained consistent: using ideas as a way to bring people together and create meaningful impact.

Hear Michael share more about his journey, what he’s learned along the way, and what continues to inspire him to build.

Start Garden Alumni Spotlight: Michael Hyacinthe

What’s being built in West Michigan? Come find out.5x5 Night returns to Start Garden on Tuesday, September 29, bringing ...
09/23/2026

What’s being built in West Michigan? Come find out.

5x5 Night returns to Start Garden on Tuesday, September 29, bringing another group of entrepreneurs to the stage to share their ideas with the community.

Come discover something new, support local founders, and connect with people who are just as excited about building, creating, and growing as you are.

Tuesday, September 29
5PM
Start Garden

Come curious. You might leave inspired.

Address

2 Fulton Street West
Grand Rapids, MI
49503

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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