Bamboo Announces Center for Entrepreneurship in Grand Rapids at 2 Fulton St W

Bamboo is excited to announce the renovation of the former Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA) building at Fulton and Division into a state-of-the-art 40,000 square foot Center for Entrepreneurship, designed to foster innovation and collaboration within the Michigan startup and creative community. The $10.2 million development entails an estimated $3.1 million invested in renovations, which will revitalize the space while honoring its unique architectural design.

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The 2 Fulton W location will be Bamboo’s first in West Michigan and its largest facility to date. The new center will provide resources to help companies grow, including: an incubation center, conference rooms, coworking lounges, event venues, a 4,000 square foot rooftop patio, and flexible private suites for individuals and teams.

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“We are honored to join the Grand Rapids community and to create a central welcoming and innovative space for all,” says Co-founder Amanda Lewan of Bamboo. “In Michigan, we don’t just launch companies, we have a rich history of creating entire movements and industries. We have to come together and support our founders and creators as they build the next generation of companies.”

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With an emphasis on creating a culture of collaboration and risk-taking, this center will enable founders, collaborators, and small businesses  to connect and co-locate, building density in the greater Grand Rapids ecosystem.

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Start Garden to Anchor Center for Entrepreneurship at 2 Fulton St W 

Start Garden will join the new Bamboo location as anchor tenant and incubation partner. With a longstanding history of serving entrepreneurs in Grand Rapids, it's part of the organization's evolution into its next chapter. 

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"We've known Bamboo for years and always recognized how our values for building community mirrored each other," said Paul Moore of Start Garden. “The density and scale of this new center is much bigger than anything we've had before in Grand Rapids. Not just an evolution in what Start Garden can offer, but a milestone for the entrepreneur community of the city and their connectivity to Detroit, Ann Arbor and Royal Oak."

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All of Start Garden's existing programs, like 5x5 Night and The 100, will continue. More details about the space, their expansion and the opportunities of the new partnership will roll out over the summer. 

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In addition, the UICA renovated facility will feature venue spaces including: 

• A re-opened 200-person theater 
• A 4,000-square-foot outdoor patio space 
• A 2,500-square-foot art gallery used as a creative lounge and seated venue space

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All event spaces can be used for corporate training, community events, and formal gatherings. 

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Midwest House, an experiential events company fostering community amongst Midwest innovators and creators on a global stage, will be co-locating and hosting entrepreneurial programs at the center. 

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“Midwest House is thrilled to be a part of such a visionary project. For ten years we have been calling for a better connected and more collaborative statewide ecosystem and Bamboo Grand Rapids will be the embodiment of that idea,” says Ted Viele, Co-founder of Midwest House. “We can’t wait to start inviting our regional community to downtown Grand Rapids.

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Bamboo’s expansion to Grand Rapids, known for its rich history of entrepreneurship and artistic creativity, presents an exciting opportunity to bridge companies and resources across Michigan's major markets of innovation. Members of the Grand Rapids center will have access to all Bamboo locations: Detroit, Royal Oak, and Ann Arbor. This allows members to access a statewide business community.

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Bamboo invites fellow startups, technology companies, creatives, innovative corporations, remote and hybrid teams of all industries and stages, to join us at this location.

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Members of the community are invited to a session coming up on June 11th at Start Garden to see first designs and hear more about the latest updates coming to Bamboo Grand Rapids at 2 Fulton Street. Save the date to join us here. 

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About Bamboo 

Bamboo develops and operates community hubs that create a more innovative ecosystem in Michigan. The Michigan-based and woman-owned company has four locations: Detroit, Royal Oak, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids. Learn more at: www.Bamboocowork.com 

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Project Partners

Project Partners include: The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, The City of Grand Rapids, Bank Michigan, Song United, Synecdoche Design, Start Garden, Midwest House, Construction Simplified, AERES Real Estate, and JLL Grand Rapids Real Estate.

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