The Hatch

The City of East Lansing is gearing up to open a new student business accelerator - The Hatch - in downtown East Lansing this fall.

The Hatch, a program that will operate under the umbrella of the new East Lansing Technology Innovation Center (TIC), was developed in an effort to generate and advance the culture of entrepreneurship in the community and to expand the market’s knowledge-based economy. In essence, The Hatch will provide a creative, co-working environment for prospective student entrepreneurs to develop their business ideas and ventures.

“The Hatch will create a social and innovative working environment for students, offering many of the services we provide to our business startups in the TIC, while also serving as an exciting alternative to working out of a home, library or coffee shop,” said East Lansing Project Manager Jeff Smith. “Our hope is that student entrepreneurs will find The Hatch to be a place where they can not only work on their own projects, but also collaborate with other members to increase the probability of their venture’s success. We have seen the benefit of this type of collaborative working environment in the TIC and we expect to see the same with The Hatch.”

Members of The Hatch will share a common workspace in downtown East Lansing’s (SCENE) Metrospace, 110 Charles St., and will utilize services provided at the TIC, including access to conference rooms, office equipment, networking opportunities, business development support, training sessions, seminars and mentoring programs. Membership at The Hatch will also include access to high-speed wireless Internet and desk space in (SCENE), an alternative art gallery centrally located in downtown East Lansing, just steps away from the Michigan State University (MSU) campus.

The Hatch will be available to all undergraduate and graduate students in the area, whether they are attending MSU or another local institution of higher learning. Students interested in becoming a member of The Hatch can sign up for a monthly plan, which will include access to the space three days each week during its regular business hours. Upon opening, The Hatch will be available to members Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. in the (SCENE) space. Membership is $50 per month for undergraduate students and $75 per month for graduate students.

Interested students can visit cityofeastlansing.com/hatch or call (517) 708-3801 to learn more about The Hatch and membership opportunities. The Hatch’s official opening will be announced at a later date.

Quick facts:
The Hatch Quick Facts:
Program of the East Lansing Technology Innovation Center
Offers desk space, high-speed wireless internet, and business development resources to its members

Student entrepreneurs from Michigan State University and other local colleges share a common workspace

Located in the (SCENE) Metrospace, in the heart of downtown East Lansing
Walking distance to many campus buildings

The Hatch Contact Information
City of East Lansing
Technology Innovation Center
325 E. Grand River Ave. Suite 300
East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone: 517.708.3801
Fax: 517.708.3754

Questions?
Call Jeff Smith at (517) 319 6861 or e-mail him at jjsmith@cityofeastlansing.com.

For more information visit:
cityofeastlansing.com/hatch