The mission of the Lakeshore Business Garden is to advance the local economy by helping new, high-growth potential ventures become successful businesses and employers.
The Lakeshore Business Garden
The Lakeshore Business Garden is a business accelerator facility which acts as a launch pad for early stage companies. We support entrepreneurs during the creation, start up and early growth stages of development. By linking entrepreneurs to affordable office space, community resources, expert advice and capital, we increase their chances of success. Nationally, 80% of all start-up businesses fail; however, statistics show that companies starting in a full-service incubator facility like the Lakeshore Business Garden have an 80% chance of success. Creativity, discipline and drive are greatly enhanced when combined with a synergetic environment where challenges and opportunities are shared with peers.
Business Garden Amenities
Located in the historic Colonial Clock building in Zeeland, this newly renovated loft space combines turn-of-the-century retro with modern appeal. Each space rents for $300 a month with additional space available for $150 per workstation. Rent includes access to the following amenities:
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First class, low cost office space
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Haworth office systems
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Phone system and voicemail
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Free Canon color copier/printer access
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Free local calls (Long distance must be supplied by resident)
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High-speed Internet service
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All utilities
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Private conference room facilities
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Common lounge area
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One free hour per month of professional services (i.e. Legal, Accounting)
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Business advisors
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24/7 access
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Access to e-services, secure off-site server, software leases, network capabilities, system monitoring, daily back up and more
Services offered to our clients include:
- Start up business strategy and business case definition
- Developing technology commercialization strategies
- Review and refinement of sales and marketing strategies
- Quarterly reviews of business progress
- Location of strategic partners and service providers
- Assessment of company funding strategies
- Connection to executive level business advisors
- Networking opportunities
Virtual Tenant Program
Lakeshore Advantage also offers business development assistance to entrepreneurs who are not current residents of the Business Garden with our Virtual Tenant Program. Membership as a Virtual Tenant is $50 per month. Membership entitles Business Garden Virtual Tenants to the following services:
- Participation in Business Garden advisory program
- Limited use of Business Garden shared facilities and office space
- Invitations to Business Garden Roundtables, e2e and special Virtual Tenant programming
- Posting of company link and brief description on Lakeshore Advantage Web site
- Participation in quarterly review process
Business Advisory Assistance
Providing advisory assistance to our clients is a significant part of ensuring their success. Our advisory program matches seasoned area professionals whose experience and success meet the needs of each tenant’s unique business challenge. Areas of expertise include:
- Business Marketing
- Production Management
- Product/Technology Launch
- Human Resources
- Financial Planning
- Real Estate
- Organizational Management
- Legal Structure
- Leadership
Business Garden Roundtables
The Business Garden Roundtables are a way for entrepreneurs to connect, collaborate and support each other by sharing ideas, information and resources. Local experts speak on topics such as marketing, leadership development, finance and presentation skills. The Roundtables include facilitated brainstorming sessions to help members overcome any challenges they may be facing in their businesses. These meetings occur on a bi-weekly basis and are open to Business Garden tenants and Virtual tenants.
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