MONTHLY CHANCE MEETINGS
Monday, July 8th, 5 - 7 pm @ Highpoint Cider Taproom, Victor, Idaho (7565 Lupine Ln, Victor, ID)
Please register below
Sometimes all you need is the right connection and a little inspiration. Well, what are you waiting for? Find both at our free monthly networking event. You never know...
Theme: Mentors in Action—Insight into the TEAMS Approach
TEAMS, our world-class mentoring program formed to accelerate the development of entrepreneurs in the Teton region, is the cornerstone of Silicon Couloir's programs. From our 2018 pilot of six ventures and sixteen mentors, we have grown to serve 60 local ventures and 100 expert mentors.
Each selected venture is assigned a team of mentors with one lead mentor. The group mentoring model is extremely effective for entrepreneurs as a variety of insights, opinions, and strategies are offered by a team of mentors, each of whom has different expertise and experience. The result is a dynamic, multi-faceted mentoring session that focuses first and foremost on the individuals success as a founder and secondarily on the venture.
Silicon Couloir is currently accepting new ventures for mentoring. On Monday, July 8th from 5-7 pm at Highpoint Cider Taproom, we'll offer insight into the TEAMS model to Chance Meeting attendees. Four of our seasoned mentors will show the team mentoring model in action by taking audience member questions relating to themselves as founders and their business. So bring your business questions, challenges, and problems and gain new perspectives.
NEWS AND NOTES
NOW ACCEPTING PITCH DAY ENTREPRENEUR APPLICATIONS
Silicon Couloir is accepting entrepreneur applications until THIS FRIDAY, June 28th!
Pitch Day, which is free and open to the public, will be held at the Center for the Arts on the evening of Wednesday, October 9th. Our signature event of the year, Pitch Day features local entrepreneurs showcasing their innovative and creative businesses to a panel of esteemed judges and a live audience. Cash prizes will be awarded in three categories: the Panelist Choice Award prize of $20,000; the Audience Choice Award of $10,000 plus one year free use at The Cowork Space; and the Bob Arndt Community Caretaker Award of $5,000, an invitation to join the TEAMS Program, and six months free use at The Cowork Space.
Selected entrepreneurs will have five coaching sessions with a team of successful and experienced business experts leading up to the main event. A critical and high-value feature of the program, coaching helps entrepreneurs hone their delivery and synthesize their concept, financials, and presentation.
All applicants must contact Brittney Ziebell, Director of Entrepreneurship, at britt@siliconcouloir.com for instructions on how to apply and program commitment for applicants and finalists.
JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT PATHWAYS TO FUNDRAISING NOONTIME KNOWLEDGE:
MASTERING STARTUP FINANCING
Join us for a workshop on Wednesday, July 24th from noon to 1:30 designed to help companies navigate the complexities of funding. We'll cover key topics like understanding funding instruments, equity & cap table management, and how to build investor relationships. Our guest speaker, LizAnn Eisen, Venture Capitalist and Professor at Cornell, will bring her extensive experience and insights from a highly accomplished career to the discussion. Whether you're just getting started or gearing up for your next funding round, this workshop will give you the essential knowledge and strategies to confidently tackle the world of startup financing. Registration is free and required.
VISIONARY VENTURES
WHISKEY MAKER INFUSES SUSTAINABILITY INTO BRANDING
"Matt Adkins knew from the start that a triple bottom line approach to business — a sustainability framework that measures a business’s success in three key areas: profit, people and the planet — would be foundational for Mountaineer Spirits’ operations and branding. Early in his career, he worked at the highest-grossing Patagonia store in the company and saw firsthand that business could be a force for positivity in the world. In addition to embracing evergreen packaging, Mountaineer Spirits is a 1% For the Planet company, with proceeds benefiting the Jackson Hole Land Trust and other Teton-area causes." Read more about Mountaineer Spirits and Adkins full embrace of the Teton entrepreneurial ecosystem in our most recent Visionary Ventures column published in the Jackson Hole News & Guide.
THANK YOU TO NEW SUPER TRUSTEE WAYNE TEETSEL
It's with tremendous gratitude that we recognize Wayne Teetsel for becoming a Super Trustee. Silicon Couloir Trustees are the economic engine for empowering entrepreneurship in the Teton region. Thank you for your generous and lasting commitment to our community, Wayne.
Wayne J.D. Teetsel first started vacationing in Jackson Hole in 2004, moved here seasonally in 2016 and full time in 2018 after retiring from Stonehill Capital Management, LLC, a New York based hedge fund that focuses on investments in distressed debt and special situations. He has served on the Board of Directors of Brown Jordan International, an outdoor and specialty furniture manufacturer, from 2007 until January of 2017 as well as the Board of Advisors of Tulane University’s School of Science and Engineering. He has also been a Trustee of Silicon Couloir since 2019, joined the Resource Council of the Grand Teton National Park Foundation where he serves as chair of the finance committee and has mentored several entrepreneurs. Mr. Teetsel received a B.S. in Psychology in 1987 from Tulane and an M.B.A. with a concentration in finance in 1990 from the A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University. In addition to being an avid skier, Wayne enjoys hiking, mountain biking and wake surfing on Jackson Lake.
LINN RANCH GARDENS CSA MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE
Homegrown since 1905. Come by each week during the season to pick up your share of our fresh harvest. We're a high-altitude regenerative agriculture farm that's part of the family-run Linn Ranch outside of Wilson. Support a Start-Up Success graduate, enjoy local food in Jackson Hole, and eat well this summer! $600 for 14-16 weeks.
ANNOUNCING THE FALL TETON LEADERSHIP
CENTER CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 26 & 27
LEARN MORE ABOUT SILICON COULOIR
HAVE NEWS TO SHARE?
As always, please feel free to send news of your company's press, events, successes, and milestones to Rob@siliconcouloir.com and we'll do our best to feature them in our newsletters!
ARE YOU A COMMUNITY CARETAKER?
Silicon Couloir strengthens our Teton regional community by empowering the entrepreneurial ecosystem. More than just business development, we believe in enriching our community character and enhancing our mountain town culture. Help us support business pioneers in the Tetons by becoming a community caretaker!
To offer your time or talent, please email us at Rob@siliconcouloir.com.