Start Garden
AcceleratorGrand Rapids · Pre-Seed–Seed · 16 people tracked
Investment thesis
Start Garden operates as a community-driven support system for entrepreneurs in Michigan, providing access to resources, networking, and coworking space in downtown Grand Rapids. Through programs like The 100 and 5x5 Night pitch competitions, it connects founders with a coalition of Capital Partners offering grants, loans, shared revenue agreements, venture investment, and first-customer contracts to businesses at every stage. Its mission emphasizes opening entrepreneurship opportunities to the broader community, helping people turn ideas into action, grow startups, and access both intellectual and commercial capital regardless of where they are on their journey.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 16 people
from the firm's website
What they invest in
from 1 of 2 portfolio companiesSaaS ×1
HQs:United States×1
Portfolio companies · 2 tracked
alumni founders can tell you what the program is really likeGrand Rapids, US
Nathan E. Owen(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardMichael Morin(Director)Jason Mark Plimi(Director)David V. Huhn(Director)Carl B. Erickson(Director)Paul D'Amato(Director)
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesLuma · techcrunch.com · Jul 14, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Start Garden invest at?
- Start Garden invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
- What is Start Garden's typical check size?
- Start Garden typically writes checks of $5K – $500K.
- What sectors does Start Garden focus on?
- Start Garden focuses on Sector Agnostic.
- Where is Start Garden located?
- Start Garden is headquartered in Grand Rapids, US.
- Does Start Garden lead rounds?
- Start Garden typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
Images
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