Boot Camp ROI
The SPARK Entrepreneur Boot Camp is really something special. We read often about ‘Boot Camps’ around the country that help entrepreneurs start their new companies. But when we drill down to see what is offered, their format, the content, etc. we come back to the same conclusion; the SPARK Entrepreneur Boot Camp is unique. We have been providing this Boot Camp twice a year since 2002. 181 companies have gone through the two day... [Read More...]
Another Successful Boot Camp
The most recent Entrepreneur Boot Camp concluded with presentations by several campers to three VC judges. A dozen start-up companies went through the Spring session of this semi-annual program. This two day program continues to surprise the participants with the value they receive from the presenters and mentors. The comments below from one of the campers expresses the common sentiment of nearly every participant. If you are starting up... [Read More...]
Boot Camp & ACE
As a long time Boot Camp drill instructor I have had the good fortune to work with a number of early stage companies that have gone on to commercialize their technologies. An important step in that path is often soliciting and securing funding for the new business. One of the critical lessons that Boot Camp teaches is distilling the important elements of your business into a concise two minute presentation or “elevator pitch”. Armed with this... [Read More...]
SPARK Boot Camp – A Camper’s Retrospective
Sharpened focus, expanded network and accelerated execution. Everyone with a business idea loves to talk about it. They talk and talk! Few actually take action. At the beginning of 2008 Dylan Imre and I came up with the idea of creating a business around software for prediction markets. One of the earliest actions we took was to attend the Ann Arbor SPARK Boot Camp in the spring of 2008. And good thing we did! It set us on the path to... [Read More...]
Getting the Strategy Right
Business in a fiercely competitive world demands focusing on an area where battles can be won. The right strategy and people makes winning those battles possible. Ann Arbor SPARK has developed many educational programs which are geared to helping entrepreneurs launch and grow their business. Entrepreneurs Boot Camp, now in its fifteenth session is an example of a program to help launch companies by connecting them with mentors and creating a safe... [Read More...]
Entrepreneur Boot Camp Applications Available
Ann Arbor SPARK’s Business Accelerator is now accepting applications for its next Entrepreneur Boot Camp, scheduled April 23-24. Teams interested in participating in the two-day business planning and preparation event must submit applications by March 30, 2009. For more info, check out http://www.annarborusa.org/start-ups/boot-camp/ Read More →
Entrepreneur Boot Camp Reunion
We recently held our first Entrepreneur Boot Camp Reunion. It was primarily a networking event where sixty campers and mentors shared their experiences with entrepreneurship. We had representatives from some of the earliest camps going back to 2002. Based upon the feedback from this event, we decided that we should hold an annual reunion as the participants value the opportunity to continue to network with other campers and mentors. One of your suggestions... [Read More...]
