Atomic Object has been designing and developing custom software in Ann Arbor, Michigan for over a decade — building everything from mobile apps to complex enterprise systems. Along the way, they’ve also been building community, showing what’s possible when a company grows with intention in a region full of talent, innovation, and support.
When Atomic Object opened its Ann Arbor office in 2013, it wasn’t chasing trends or trying to tap into the “next big market.” It was choosing to grow in a place that felt right — professionally, culturally, and personally.
Founded in Grand Rapids in 2001, Atomic Object had already proven that a software consultancy could thrive outside the coasts. They built a reputation for crafting custom software that solves real problems — from internal business tools to consumer-facing apps. Expanding to Ann Arbor was a natural next step: close to Detroit’s growing tech scene and rooted in a city known for research, innovation, and a steady pipeline of top-tier talent.
More than a decade later, that decision has more than paid off. Atomic Object’s Ann Arbor office has grown its team to 50, deepened its design and development capabilities, upgraded its office space on Ashley Street, and built more than 90 software products for early-stage startups to Fortune 500 companies.
Atomic Object Team. Credit to Jill DeVries Photography.
After opening its downtown office on S. Fifth Ave., Atomic Object quickly became part of the Ann Arbor community. The city’s focus on academic innovation, progressive values, and collaboration aligned well with Atomic Object’s culture. As the local tech scene has grown, so has Atomic Object — adding new team members, developing new service offerings like artificial intelligence in product development, and becoming a trusted name in the community.
Over the last 10 years, Ann Arbor has become one of the Midwest’s most exciting tech hubs. It’s always had strong academic and research roots, but now it’s also home to startups, scaleups, and has serious momentum.
A big part of that momentum comes from ecosystem builders like Ann Arbor SPARK, who help connect companies with talent, resources, and each other. That kind of community support has helped companies like Atomic Object not just grow, but grow with purpose. Atomic Object has been able to deliver software products to support the work of 57 local clients in the last 12 years.
“This town has become such a strong tech community,” said Jonah Bailey, Managing Partner at Atomic Object in Ann Arbor. “There’s great talent here and people who really care about building things that last. SPARK has helped the tech ecosystem grow over the last decade. A rising tide floats all boats — including Atomic! We've leveraged their job boards, events, and funded startups as clients in the past.”
Atomic Object’s growth has always started with people. Being close to the University of Michigan has helped the team connect with some of the brightest minds in software, design, and engineering. But what really sets Atomic Object apart is how it brings those people together around shared values, strong collaboration, and a commitment to meaningful work. People don’t just join Atomic Object to write code; they join to build something that lasts. That mindset has shaped the company’s steady, intentional growth over the years as the company’s footprint spread to include Chicago, IL and Raleigh, NC, and their total size grew to 120.
“We’re focused on building great software, strong teams, and long-term relationships,” said Bailey. “Being privately held and 100 percent employee-owned gives us the freedom to grow in ways that align with our values and support our people.”
That approach has helped them stay grounded through industry shifts and uncertain markets. Instead of chasing trends or scaling too quickly, Atomic Object focuses on long-term resilience — hiring deliberately, investing in their team, and staying close to client needs. It’s a strategy that allows them to remain steady even when the tech world feels turbulent.
One outcome of this strategy is Atomic Object’s Accelerator Program, which equips people starting their software development careers with cohort-based learning, one-on-one mentorship, and client project experience. The Ann Arbor office has brought more than 20 Accelerator participants through its two-year curriculum, many of whom continue to work for the company after completing the program.
They’ve also stayed active in the community — partnering with local universities and organizations to support mentorships, internships, and hiring programs that help grow the local tech talent pipeline.
One example of this is the firm’s Baker and Cook Fellowship program, which connects BIPOC students with resources and support as they pursue Computer Science education. Committed to creating wonderful careers for folks in tech, Atomic Object publishes its progress on initiatives like these in its annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Impact Report.
Like most companies, Atomic Object faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. As an agency that thrives on close collaboration and in-person teamwork, the sudden shift to remote work took real effort.
“We didn’t have it all figured out — we just worked really hard to stay connected and keep moving,” said Bailey.
The team found ways to stay productive, but the experience reinforced what they already believed: working together in person, especially in the early stages of building a company or product, creates a kind of energy and clarity that’s hard to replace. While many software companies gave up their offices in this period, Atomic Object’s leaders in Ann Arbor doubled down on the value of co-location, upgrading their space.
The pandemic also shaped how Atomic Object approaches resilience more broadly. They leaned into what they do best — staying close to their clients, supporting their team, and growing at a pace that’s both thoughtful and sustainable. That same mindset continues to guide them today as they navigate market shifts and a quickly evolving industry. Today, the team is collaborating to explore how artificial intelligence will evolve their services and help them deliver even more value to clients.
For startup founders, Atomic Object’s advice based on this experience is simple: Don’t underestimate the value of being in the room together — especially when you’re just starting out.
“If you’re thinking about building a company in Ann Arbor, the best thing you can do is show up,” said Managing Partner John Fisher, Bailey’s counterpart. “Go to events, connect with community members. This is a city where people want to help — and being part of that makes a big difference.”
Atomic Object’s story is proof that you don’t need to be in a major coastal city to build a thriving tech company — you just need the right people, the right place, and the ability to take the long view. Ann Arbor has all three.
Whether you’re a founder looking for your next home, a developer searching for meaningful work, or just curious about what’s happening in Midwest tech, Ann Arbor’s community is open — and growing.