Field note / Field guide9 min

For New and relocating founders

A founder’s first 30 days in Ann Arbor

A focused local sequence for validating an idea, finding support, and meeting the right people.

01

Week one: define the evidence

Write down the problem, user, risky assumptions, and the smallest useful proof.

  • Ten customer conversations
  • One decision metric
  • One clear non-goal
02

Weeks two and three: use the network

Choose support based on your stage instead of attending everything.

  • SPARK for company support
  • University programs when affiliated
  • Peer events for focused introductions
03

Week four: make the next commitment

Decide whether to deepen discovery, run a pilot, recruit, or stop. Progress comes from a sharper bet, not more activity.

  • Publish a concise ask
  • Choose a 30-day milestone
  • Name the proof required for the next investment

Starting sources

Verify details at the source.

Ann Arbor SPARKCenter for Entrepreneurship
Editorial review: July 12, 2026. These links are provided for orientation, not endorsement.