SURGE, boosting entrepreneurs to the next level
SURGE, boosting entrepreneurs to the next level
First cohort of startups graduate from SURGE Boostcamp 
Nine startups successfully graduated from the first session of the SURGE Boostcamp program. These founders worked for 12 weeks on customer discovery and gained valuable feedback that will help them to power forward. Check out our video below to learn more about the founders' and mentors' experiences with the SURGE Boostcamp program. 
View pictures
Read more in the Holland Sentinel
Read more in the Grand Rapids Business Journal
Director of SURGE named Newsmaker Finalist 
Please join us in congratulating Amanda Chocko, Director of SURGE, who was named a Grand Rapids Business Journal Newsmaker Finalist. Finalists for this award are chosen based on who was behind the headlines for the top news stories of 2019. We are excited to share that Amanda has been chosen for the Startups category for SURGE. The awards ceremony and celebration will be held on January 29th at Frederik Meijer Gardens. 
Read more
Jeff Muller helped us boost our LinkedIn presence at December SURGE Day event
Jeff Muller of Muller Design lead a LinkedIn Marketing workshop at our December 11th SURGE Day event. We learned how to optimize our profiles, how to successfully connect with others, and how to maximize the benefits of LinkedIn. Jeff serves as a SURGE mentor and has helped to successfully navigate many SURGE startups and entrepreneurs. Connect with him on the SURGE Union community
Don't get FOMO, join us for our January 8th SURGE Day event by RSVPing at the link below. A free pizza lunch will be provided for all registrants. 
RSVP
Jolt moves onto final selection round for prestigious accelerator program
Jolt Energy Storage Technologies has advanced to the final round of the Shell GameChanger Accelerator Powered by NREL (GCxN). Jolt will be competing in the final selection round in Houston, TX this coming January where they will be delivering a pitch presentation and meeting with Shell representatives. 
Learn more about the Shell GameChanger Accelerator
The strategy behind networking
As a founder, one of your main activities is networking and connecting with those who can help you to reach your startup goals. However, this skill is easier said than done. This guide gives you a step by step action plan that you can use to become a networking wiz. 
I need help networking
SURGE Startup Spotlight: Oh So Cheesy
SURGE startup, Oh So Cheesy, has recently landed a pilot distribution deal with Meijer Inc. The company, which launched a year ago, is now distributing their product to more than 30 Meijer stores across Michigan. This deal is expected to help the company reach its projected 5-year revenue goal of $1 million dollars. 
Read more in the Grand Rapids Business Journal
Upcoming Local Meetups 
Thursday, December 19th, 3:00pm @ GVSU Bicycle Factory
Goal: SBDC West Michigan is starting a special initiative to help launch 50 new businesses this year. Learn more about the resources they can offer you to help you launch your new business.
Thursday, December 19th, 6:00pm @ Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women
Goal: This free class introduces participants to the many programs and services that GROW offers to entrepreneurs at every stage of their business.
Tuesday, January 7th, 6:00pm @ Collective Idea
Goal: Tinker with technology and learn how to program with fellow tech makers in the area. 
Wednesday, January 8th, 9:00am @ Treehuis
Goal: Connect with SURGE mentors, cowork with other startups and see what's happening in the entrepreneurial ecosystem here in West Michigan. 
Tuesday, January 28th, 5:00pm @ Muskegon Innovation Hub
Goal: Five startups pitch for five minutes to five judges for the chance to win $5,000. 
This news and events update was sent to you as a service of Lakeshore Advantage. We send communications on a regular basis to keep you up-to-date on information that may be helpful to you and your interest in entrepreneurship and the Holland SmartZone. Please direct questions, comments and future submissions to Haley Abbas at haley.abbas@lakeshoreadvantage.com. 
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