Flyover country, flyover offices? Wrong, and wrong. The Midwest is home to amazing tech companies that are solving some of the most pressing issues of our time: climate change, supply chain, microchip development, healthcare issues and more.
The region is home to some of the nation’s coolest companies — and some of the coolest offices, too.
As more and more people return to the office this year, we’re checking out the best digs around the region.
By the way, we’ll be adding to this list! Know of an amazing office? Let us know!
Coolest Offices in Ann Arbor & Detroit
KLA
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Images source: KLA, Purpose Jobs
One of the coolest offices in Ann Arbor, without a doubt, is KLA’s new state-of-the-art office. It’s home to the company’s AI and Modeling Center of Excellence, and it comes with some amazing features that will blow you away. From the modern design to the natural lighting, the treehouse vibes and walking trails to the green roof, the onsite gym to the community spaces, this office has it all. “There are so many options here,” says Kurt Hicks, Talent Acquisition Manager. “I love that I’m not trapped in a cubicle all day.”
Signal Advisors
Images source: Signal Advisors
Signal Advisors is a remote-friendly team that still knows the importance of getting together. The Detroit-based team comes into the downtown Detroit office every Wednesday to work together, collaborate, and build relationships. Located in the heart of Detroit in the Madison building, the office has exciting views of Comerica Park, a line of sight down beautiful, historic Woodward, and a close up view of the People Mover as it passes by an entire wall of windows. You can find everything from cozy seating and a podcast recording studio, to a ping pong table, kitchen, and TV's in every meeting room to support the hybrid teams. The office is full of rich natural light, beautiful plants and furniture from our partners in the FOC, custom artwork, and a natural buzz from the city and innovation taking place in Detroit.
AccumTech
Located in Ann Arbor on the Domino’s Farms campus, AccumTech has an exciting office vibe that supports employees inside and outside of work. Being a part of Domino's Farms comes with some major perks, like a petting zoo, walking trails, putting green, free gym, a post office and even a hair salon. In the AccumTech office you’ll find fun office amenities like a rainbow snack wall, standing desks, flex rooms and collaboration space for paired programming, games, and of course the Danny DeVito mascot. The office is often home to work events and team activities.
RIVET
Video courtesy of RIVET
Also located in the Madison Building in Downtown Detroit is RIVET Work. RIVET is a hybrid software startup with a team that enjoys time in the office to collaborate, work transparently, and have fun. The team is typically in the office three days a week and takes advantage of that time to work collaboratively, have ad-hoc meetings, and spend fun time together. They enjoy activities like the Upper Deck Golf outing at Comerica Park, parties for big milestones, Music League, board game happy hours, team volleyball, and celebrating wins by ringing the bell when a deal is closed. The Madison is super walkable to great restaurants Downtown, and the team also enjoys picking new catered lunch spots for every Tuesday.
Newlab
Images source: Brian Ferry via wallpaper.com
Newlab Detroit, based in the former book depository building of the Michigan Central Train Station in Corktown, is one the city’s hottest new office spaces. The 1930’s Albert Kahn building has been restored and renovated into a modern space for entrepreneurs, inventors and companies focused on next-generation solutions in mobility. A mix of industrial design, modern art, natural lighting and greenery make the space inviting and inspiring. Learn more about the design of Newlab Detroit here.
Chroma
Images source: Chroma
Chroma is a coworking, office, and event venue in Detroit's historic Milwaukee Junction. It’s a noticeable landmark in the city with a gigantic mural of “Girl With a D Earring” by Detroit artist Sydney G. James. It’s home to a variety of members like VVK PR + Creative, Moghul & Main, TRV|FIT Fitness, and so many more. It combines historic charm with artful design. They have sleek ergonomic furniture thoughtfully arranged within collaborative areas. Large windows let in tons of light — and amazing views of the city! They are very community-oriented and host many events for members and bring a festive atmosphere to the office.
There's a lot more where that came from in Michigan. Check out why the nation's tech workers are choosing to live, work and play in the Great Lakes State.
Coolest Offices in Cincinnati
Gearsupply
Video courtesy of Gearsupply
Located in the historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati, Gearsupply has a new office that the team absolutely loves coming into. They’re in the office full time, and it’s worth it. They have free snacks and beverages all the time, free lunch on Tuesdays and for Town Hall meetings, alcoholic beverages for Friday happy hours, but that’s just the food. The vibe is modern, fun and positive. Natural light and music, comfy couches and lounge chairs keep things relaxed. They have standing desks and beautiful Herman Miller style desk chairs. The green wall, neon signs, and dog-friendly vibe make it one of the coolest tech offices in the area.
Altafiber
Images source: Cincinnati Business Courier
Altafiber is building future-proof fiber and Cloud services that provide better, faster and greener Internet everywhere. They recently consolidated their 7-floor office in downtown Cincinnati into 2 floors, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less dazzling. The office is organized into “neighborhoods” named after Cincinnati neighborhoods, where departments tend to congregate. The office has all the amenities that make office life comfortable, including the fanciest beverage machine. Sleek design, open areas, and a living wall in the atrium make the space inviting. Check out more photos of Altafiber here.
VEGA
Images source: Vega
VEGA is a world class manufacturer and tech company with its US headquarters in a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio. They have been recognized as a top workplace and have a stunning office space. Their space features a game room, 24/7 fitness center, training lab, coffee bar, and even an onsite restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch.
Uber Freight
Images source: Cincinnati Business Courier
Uber Freight, a logistics subsidiary of Uber, recently opened a brand new office at Newport on the Levee, just across the river from Downtown Cincinnati. The office is rich with amenities and lets in tons of natural light. It offers sweeping views of the Ohio River, and a deck on the river is a perfect hangout spot in warmer weather. Fun details like a wall of mirrors pay homage to the trucking industry. Click here to see more of Uber Freight’s office.
CoStrategix
Images source: Cincinnati Business Courier
Tucked in the suburb of Blue Ash, CoStrategix has a modern, vibrant and colorful office. The software company opened this cool office space in 2022, combining at-home amenities and entertainment, making it easy for employees to come into the office. They have a variety of meeting spaces that include formal conference rooms (named after famous computers in movies) as well as booths and small tables for quick get togethers. Check out more photos of CoStrategix here.
Coolest Offices in Columbus
Aware
Completed in 2023, Aware has a swanky new office in the Brewery district of Columbus. It’s home to amazing amenities and unique features like a bourbon room, a library, and rooftop patio. Aware has open areas for desks, where even the c-suite executives sit. A kitchen is fully stocked with snacks and drinks. The historic building comes with its own charm while still offering a modern work experience.
Quantum Health
Images source: Quantum Health
Located in Dublin, Ohio just outside of Columbus is Quantum Health, a company modernizing and evolving the healthcare journey through transformative technology. They have been recognized for their beautiful office space. Their 40-acre campus has a new lower level with a beautiful cafeteria, kitchen, and game room. The office is light, open and airy, making the workspace inviting and fun.
Rockbridge
Images source: Rockbridge
Rockbridge, a vertically integrated, hospitality-centered investment firm, has a fantastic office located in Easton. It features large open spaces for collaborating, flexible workstations, and conference rooms inspired by Rockbridge properties. An homage to its hospitality industry, Rockbridge’s office has "residential-like amenities” like a working fireplace, soft-seating, full bar, and patio space. Its modern, sleek design is impressive and inviting.
ZoCo
Images source: ZoCo
ZoCo is a design firm located in Grandview Heights. Their office space is a renovated Irish pub, and some details from its pub days still remain. Its design now is much more open, light and airy to support collaboration, concentration, and celebration. Its bar area and fireplace are a nod to the building's history.
Forge Biologics
Images source: ColumbusInno
A top workplace in Columbus, Ohio, gene therapy company Forge is located in Grove City. They have a large and beautiful office with green space and outdoor areas. The Forge café opens to a patio via large garage-style doors. Many employees take lunch breaks out there, or have meetings with fresh air. The space is also enjoyed for BBQs and games of corn hole. The office is a colorful space and features a mural designed and hand painted by Columbus artist Mandi “Birdy” Caskey. See more photos of their space here.
Veeva
Also located in Dublin, Ohio is Veeva’s beautiful office. This software company has amazing natural lighting, open spaces for collaboration, and a mix of open desk spaces and private offices. A fully stocked kitchen offers catered lunches every day, and an on-site gym and game room make taking necessary breaks easy and fun to do.
