From 21 applications, we shortlisted four cities for next steps:
Austin
Cleveland
Detroit
Rochester
We are exploring Flint/Detroit regional connections as well as non-NSF Funding partners for Rochester.
All shortlisted cities have been notified of next steps, and feedback is in process for cities who are not moving on. I will invite you to the phone conversations with the shortlisted cities; please join as your schedules allow.
JENN BEARD
Our new Fund Manager starts Monday, March 14th! Her resume is attached. Look out for calendar invites inviting you to 1:1 conversations with her. Jenn will be in Chattanooga for our team grant review March 21-24.
CO.LAB GRANTEE SUPPORT
The Company Lab has agreed to pilot a 16-week roundtable series to support our grantees over the course of the pilot period. Topics will include developing a business plan, pitching your idea, working toward sustainability, and other topics pulled from their experience advising and supporting startup businesses. Funding for this work will be pulled from the Business Accelerator Support line item we wrote into the NSF budget. I’m working with Kalpana to figure out how to best get this important contract out the door. We’re exploring with Co.Lab how we can share learnings from this work with other communities.
CITY EXPANSION
From 21 applications, we shortlisted four cities for next steps:
We are exploring Flint/Detroit regional connections as well as non-NSF Funding partners for Rochester.
All shortlisted cities have been notified of next steps, and feedback is in process for cities who are not moving on. I will invite you to the phone conversations with the shortlisted cities; please join as your schedules allow.
JENN BEARD
Our new Fund Manager starts Monday, March 14th! Her resume is attached. Look out for calendar invites inviting you to 1:1 conversations with her. Jenn will be in Chattanooga for our team grant review March 21-24.
CO.LAB GRANTEE SUPPORT
The Company Lab has agreed to pilot a 16-week roundtable series to support our grantees over the course of the pilot period. Topics will include developing a business plan, pitching your idea, working toward sustainability, and other topics pulled from their experience advising and supporting startup businesses. Funding for this work will be pulled from the Business Accelerator Support line item we wrote into the NSF budget. I’m working with Kalpana to figure out how to best get this important contract out the door. We’re exploring with Co.Lab how we can share learnings from this work with other communities.
RECENT AND UPCOMING EVENTS