News Summary
The Michigan Innovation Headquarters (MI-HQ) is expanding its facilities in Detroit with a new 150,000 square-foot development on Gratiot Avenue. This initiative aims to support local startups, foster innovation, and contribute to the city’s growth as a hub for technology and life sciences. With backing from Dan Gilbert’s Bedrock, MI-HQ plans to create a Life Sciences District and enhance resources for budding entrepreneurs, paving the way for job creation and environmental responsibility through ongoing revitalization efforts.
The Exciting Expansion of Michigan Innovation Headquarters in Detroit!
Big news on the startup front! The Michigan Innovation Headquarters (MI-HQ) is making waves with its new expansion down to Gratiot Avenue in Detroit, and it’s all about helping budding businesses flourish. For over 20 years, MI-HQ has been a champion for startups, especially in the hardware development space, successfully operating in a sprawling coworking network across nearly 108 acres in Washtenaw County.
A Birthplace for Startups
Have you ever dreamed of launching your own startup? Well, if you’re in Michigan, your dreams are about to get a whole lot more achievable. With close to 100 startups already thriving at existing campuses, MI-HQ is poised to create an even bigger buzz when it opens its new headquarters. The location on the historic site of the former “fail jail” will provide a whopping 150,000 square feet of dedicated space for labs, offices, and collaborative working environments. Dan Gilbert’s Bedrock development is backing this initiative, demonstrating a commitment to revitalizing Detroit into an innovative hub.
Building a Life Sciences District
This Gratiot Avenue venture isn’t just a one-off project. It’s part of an expansive vision for a three-mile Life Sciences District within Detroit’s innovation corridor, fostering a spirit of collaboration and growth.
The CEO of MI-HQ expresses a clear commitment to nurturing the local startup community. With a focus on teamwork, connections, and collaborations, the new space invites more opportunities for local entrepreneurs to meet, share resources, and innovate.
Startups of All Kinds
MI-HQ is not just about tech; its incubator environment welcomes a diverse array of startups that aren’t afraid to think outside the box. From life sciences to quantum computing, if you can dream it, you might just find the resources to bring it to life here. The organization manages more than 612,000 square feet of facilities spread across campuses in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, providing access to specialized equipment that many smaller companies might not be able to afford.
By concentrating on innovative companies like May Mobility, a player in the field of autonomous vehicles, and AlphaCore Pharma, which was gobbled up by AstraZeneca, MI-HQ is creating a legacy of success stories. It is not only enhancing employment opportunities but also encouraging local universities to spin out more businesses and keep talent within the state.
The Future is Bright for MI-HQ
With a goal to exceed 1 million square feet of incubator space by 2027, MI-HQ isn’t slowing down anytime soon! There are plans for additional facilities, such as a 65,000-square-foot space in Ann Arbor and a 40,000-square-foot venue in Ypsilanti, which will even host a restaurant and pharmacy. That’s right; you’ll be able to grab a bite or pick up some snacks while you nurture the next big thing!
Tackling Environmental Challenges
In a show of responsibility, MI-HQ has also secured a $1 million Brownfield Redevelopment grant to clean up contaminated soil at some of its facilities. These clean-up efforts are expected to create about 300 new jobs in the state—further proof that you can build a startup and help the community simultaneously!
The future of Michigan’s startup ecosystem is looking incredibly bright. The innovations, connections, and support offered by MI-HQ will not only help existing startups but also inspire new ones to take root in the great state of Michigan. Get ready—you might just be hearing a lot more about the next great company coming out of MI-HQ!
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Additional Resources
- Crain’s Detroit Business
- Wikipedia: Startup
- Michigan Economic Development Corporation
- Google Search: Michigan Innovation Headquarters
- Forbes: Michigan Innovation Headquarters
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Innovation
- VentureBeat: Michigan Startups
- Google News: Michigan Innovation Headquarters
- Business Insider
- Crain’s Grand Rapids Business
