Wireless Ypsi plans to double customer base, expand nationally

Wednesday, October 20, 2010 | Source: Concentrate

Ypsilanti's wireless co-op is becoming the city's wireless startup now that Wireless Ypsi is spreading its wings and picking up customers across Metro Detroit and even the U.S.

Wireless Ypsi started out two years ago when local community activists Steve Pierce and Brian Robb wanted to bring free Wi-Fi to downtown Ypsilanti. The startup now has 100 customers and the service covers large swaths of the city, including downtown, Depot Town, parks along the Huron River, and some neighborhoods. It's also in the process of setting up a wireless network in downtown Clawson and is receiving similar requests from communities, apartment complexes, and businesses across the metro area.

"This is the growth phase," Pierce says. "We're trying to turn it into a full business."

That can be a tricky transition, going from community project to for-profit venture. Wireless Ypsi still provides its services for free to the city of Ypsilanti, including heavily used service at its public housing projects. So far 85,000 unique devices have logged onto the Wireless Ypsi's Meraki-based Wi-Fi network. An average of 1,000 unique devices use it every day, creating another perk that raises the city's quality of life.

"It's a wonderful extra when you can carry your notebook around anywhere and surf the net," says Eric Maurer, a developer and landlord with 100 apartments in Ypsilanti, including 25 downtown. Mark Maynard (Ypsilanti's blogger, puppet debator, and local art baron) calls it "a nice thing to have" that helps showcase the freedom to do new things and turn them into businesses that Ypsilanti offers.

The venture is keeping Pierce, Robb, and a few independent contractors busy right now. They hope to double their customer base within the next year and spread it not only across Metro Detroit but the continent, too, in an effort to make the venture profitable. However, the duo still plans to keep offering Wireless Ypsi free to its hometown.

"We'll give back to our community that we live and work in because we love this place," Pierce says.

Source: Steve Pierce, co-founder of Wireless Ypsi; Eric Maurer, co-owner of Maurer Management; and Mark Maynard, creator of MarkMaynard.com
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.