Vermont Business Magazine Generator, Burlington’s maker space, announced the four entrepreneurs chosen for its new twelve-week Jump/Start, residency program, and free public lecture series. Each Jump/Start Entrepreneur receives $1,000 in cash, and over $4,500 worth of in-kind services including 24/7 access to Generator’s high-tech fabrication facilities, classes and expert consultations. Chosen from 26 applications by the Jump/Start selection committee the goal of the Jump/Start program is to help them successfully bring their innovative product ideas to market.
The Jump/Start entrepreneurship residency is centered around a unique six-part lecture/workshop curriculum developed by LaunchVT and presented by local area business experts. The lectures are free and open to the public and present a full review of how to start a business from Market Analysis and Intellectual Property Protection to Brand Development and Financing. The lecture series begins on January 11, 5 pm at Generator.
The JumpStart Entrepreneurs are:
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Courtney Reckord - data-driven jewelry designs created from USGS topographical renderings of iconic landscapes.
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Jake Blend - classic video arcade machines replicated in reduced sizes, featuring over 100 fully playable video games.
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Clay Mohrman - interior lighting designs combining natural found elements with LED technology in unique sculptural forms
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Christine Hill - Jewelry created from up-cycled, stainless steel bicycle parts including spokes and chains
“Jump/Start is designed to give super early-stage entrepreneurs with outstanding product ideas the support they need to bring their products to market and grow their businesses here in Vermont,” said Generator Executive Director Chris Thompson. “We’re very excited to see such highly innovative products ideas in our first cohort of Jump/Start entrepreneurs. We highly encourage anyone who is interested in starting a business to attend the lecture series and learn alongside our residents the essential elements of creating a successful business.”
At the end of the 12-week program Jump/Start entrepreneurs will present their business plans and products. They will leave with a detailed analysis of their business that they can use to apply for LaunchVT’s early stage acceleration program or other funding opportunities—all with no strings attached. Unlike many national entrepreneurial incubators, Jump/Start takes no equity in the chosen ventures.
Public Lecture Series includes:
1/11 Who will buy it? | Market Analysis - Cristine Hammer: Center for Women & Enterprise Vermont | Hammer Consulting. 5-7pm
1/23 How will people buy it? | Revenue Generation - Kimberly Stellavato: Center for Women & Enterprise Vermont. 5-7pm
2/8 How will you manage it? | Financial Management - Bret Hodgdon and Matt Cleare: Davis & Hodgdon. 5-7pm
2/22 How will it compete? | Business Formation & Intellectual Property - Justin McCabe: Dunkiel, Saunders, Elliott, Raubvogel & Hand. 5-7pm
3/8 How will people know about it? | Brand Development - Michael Jager: Solidarity of Unbridled Labor. 5-7pm
3/22 How will you fund it? | Financing - Cairn Cross: FreshTracks Capital. 5-7pm
Register for Free:
www.eventbrite.com/e/jumpstart-lecture-series-01-market-analysis-tickets-41422946147
Learn more about the Jump/Start program:
Learn more about Generator:
Learn more about LaunchVT:
Generator makerspace is a shared design and fabrication environment dedicated to supporting the creative, education and production needs of 300+ members. It offers universal access to studios, shared tool-sets, programming and a vibrant, solutions-oriented community in a 8500 square foot facility.
LaunchVT is a business mentoring program and pitch competition that provides strategic guidance, cash prizes, and in-kind services to entrepreneurs who deliver plans for new businesses that demonstrate exceptional potential in today’s market.
Jump/Start is made possible by our generous sponsors: People's United Bank, Davis & Hodgdon, BTV Ignite, Middlebury College, Merrit & Merrit, Fresh Tracks, Center for Women & Enterprise, and M//E Design