Midwest House

Can you really launch a startup hub with $5,000, no space, and a dream? Amanda Lewan did—and it didn’t stop there.

In this energizing episode of the Midwest House Podcast, host Ted Velie sits down with Amanda Lewan, co-founder and CEO of Bamboo, to explore how a scrappy coworking experiment in Detroit became one of Michigan’s most impactful startup communities. From Detroit's post-bankruptcy days to launching a 40,000-square-foot flagship in Grand Rapids, Amanda shares the behind-the-scenes story of how Bamboo has evolved into a statewide platform for founders, innovators, and underestimated entrepreneurs.

Inside this episode:

• How Amanda helped Detroit’s startup scene take shape from scratch
• What building real community looks like when there’s no playbook (or budget)
• Why Bamboo’s new Grand Rapids space is more than a building—it’s a signal
• The power of density, open access, and designing spaces where everyone belongs
• What’s next for Michigan's east-meets-west startup ecosystem—and why now is the moment

Bonus: lessons from Detroit Startup Week, what Amanda learned from Brad Feld’s Startup Communities, and a sneak peek at her favorite up-and-coming Midwest startup.

🎯 This one’s for the builders, the connectors, and anyone who believes the Midwest is just getting started.

What happens when COVID cancels your big event… and instead, it unlocks a movement?

Welcome to the first official episode of the Midwest House Podcast, hosted by co-founder Ted Velie, alongside community builders and innovators Wolf Starr and James Feagin. This is more than a South by Southwest recap—this is the story of how a cancelled conference turned a Michigan-led idea into a Midwest-wide movement.

You’ll hear:

🧭 The wild early days of Michigan House and Columbus House
🌍 How Midwest House became a cross-state collision zone for founders, VCs, and ecosystem builders
🏠 Why South by Southwest wasn’t the finish line—it was the launchpad
💥 How a $40k pilot trip led to millions in ROI for underrepresented founders
💡 Why "flyover country" is becoming the heartbeat of U.S. innovation

From angel investing playbooks to eco-mapping ecosystems, this episode lays the foundation of a community-driven force that's reshaping what innovation looks like between the coasts.

🔗 Whether you're a founder, funder, or ecosystem builder—this is your invitation to the table.