Chance Meetings is Next Monday, November 4th: Smart Scaling: Harnessing AI for Business Breakthroughs

MONTHLY CHANCE MEETINGS 

Monday, November 4th, 5 - 7 pm @ The Virginian Saloon

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...

Smart Scaling: Harnessing AI for Business Breakthroughs

This panel will explore how businesses can leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to achieve rapid, sustainable growth while navigating the challenges of scaling in a dynamic marketplace. Industry leaders and AI experts will discuss practical strategies for integrating AI into business operations, from automating workflows and enhancing decision-making to improving customer experiences. The session will cover key considerations such as data management, ethics, and the role of human oversight, while showcasing real-world examples of companies that have successfully harnessed AI to unlock new opportunities, drive innovation, and stay competitive.

REGISTER FOR CHANCE MEETINGS

NEWS AND NOTES

LAST CALL FOR SUMMIT FORUM APPLICATIONS

The Summit Forum program is a brand-new unique opportunity for business leaders and entrepreneurs to enhance their leadership skills, solve complex problems, and achieve significant growth, while building a trusted, supportive cohort. Our mastermind brings together a select group of 8-12 vetted participants, providing a collaborative environment where you can leverage the collective experience of peers, mentors, coaches and the Silicon Couloir Ecosystem.

WE HAVE A REMARKABLE GROUP OF APPLICANTS AND WOULD LIKE TO ADD A FEW ADDITIONAL STELLAR ENTREPRENEURS TO THE COHORT.  APPLICATIONS ARE DUE NOVEMBER 1! 

Wondering if this program is right for you? Read more about how Summit Forum can support your growth and leadership in our most recent Visionary Ventures column HERE. 

APPLY NOW

CONGRATULATIONS TO PITCH DAY FINALISTS

All five of our Pitch Day Finalists were simply remarkable. The hard work and dedication this group put in was evident in the sophisticated and polished pitches. It was truly a world-class event.

The Panelist Choice Award went Zoë Worthen of Uplink Robotics
The Audience Choice Award went to Zach Rachlin of ing
The Bob Arndt Community Caretaker Award went to Danielle Nicklas of NovvaCup

If you missed Pitch Day, it's not too late to catch the magic. Read the News & Guide coverage of Pitch Day HERE. Watch the full Pitch Day livestream HERE. 

NEW ENTREPRENEUR VIDEO PREMIERS AT PITCH DAY

Silicon Couloir helped elevate SOSystems work and mission with expert coaching and a Grand Prize win at Pitch Day 2023. SOSystems has the potential to keep our waterways clean and healthy in communities across the country.

WELCOME TO NEW BOARD MEMBER WAYNE TEETSEL

We're pleased to announce that Wayne Teetsel has joined the Silicon Couloir Board of Directors. Thank you Wayne for your commitment to help guide Silicon Couloir in the coming years. 
 

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 a Trustee of Silicon Couloir since 2019,
joined the Resource Council of the Grant 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.

SILICON COULOIR IS GROWING WITH THREE NEW STAFF MEMBERS

Silicon Couloir is delighted to announce the addition of three new wonderful staff members. Blossom Ko Lumley and Zack Huberty join the team to lead StartUp Wyoming, a collaboration between Silicon Couloir and the Wyoming Business Council designed to enhance entrepreneurial services and support for communities statewide. Joe Bottini will assist existing staff members with a range of programs, events and marketing. Welcome Blossom, Zack, and Joe! 

Blossom Ko Lumley is Director of StartUp Wyoming, and brings to the role a diverse skill set in business operations, project design and management acquired from over 20 years in non-profit and for-profit organizations, including the J. Paul Getty Trust, the LA Annenberg Metropolitan Project, and Ares Management.

Ms. Ko co-founded Airloom Energy, a VC-backed startup wind energy company based in Laramie, Wyoming where she served as Chief Operating Officer and helped secure over $12M in seed funding. She designed and launched the Financial Affairs Support Team at the University of Wyoming, a department dedicated to providing critical support to colleges while providing student interns with substantive, real-world experience. 

Blossom has lived in Laramie since 2015 with her husband and two youngest children, and has two older children making their mark on the world through their own successful startup companies. She received her B.A. at Rutgers College and M.M at CSULA.

Zack Huberty is the Field Coordinator of StartUp Wyoming. For the last 8 years, he has owned and operated a high-end custom woodworking business, Miikana Woodworking, serving clients such as the Harvard Museum of Natural Science, Morgan Stanley, Magonolia Plantations and Farms and Em Henderson Design. Huberty spent 2.5 years building Beta USA’s in-house factory motorcycle race team and infrastructure consisting of 8 athletes across the U.S.. Huberty currently resides in Douglas, WY with his 3 dogs. Huberty was born and raised in West Chester, Pennsylvania where he attended the Pennsylvania State University to study Finance, Economics and Entrepreneurship. 

Joe Bottini is the TEAMS, Marketing and Events Coordinator with Silicon Couloir. He brings recent experience in marketing and event planning through his previous roles in Jackson. Joe has worked in hospitality management locally, while also building his own ecommerce development company, Moonsmoke Designs, that specializes in print-on-demand merchandising through a unique integration. Moonsmoke Designs has built online shops for local brands such as Mountain Bike the Tetons, Moose Creek Ranch, Teton Yoga Festival, Strumucket, and more.

Joe graduated from the University of Dayton in 2020 with a degree in Business Entrepreneurship. He currently lives in Alpine with his wife Kristen and baby girl Ireland, where the whole family shares a love for skiing, mountain biking, fly fishing, and being outside.

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.
 

Entrepreneurs make pitches for funding

Entrepreneurs make pitches for funding

By Jasmine Hall

Hundreds packed into the Center for the Arts theater Oct. 9 to hear innovative and creative business ideas come to life.

Silicon Couloir hosted its 13th annual Pitch Day for entrepreneurs in the mountain West, and five finalists took the stage. Four of the five were vying for three awards that could boost the trajectory of their businesses. The event also put the spotlight on them in the “entrepreneurial ecosystem” cultivated by the networking and business coaching nonprofit in Jackson.

“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity,” Rob Kellogg, executive director of Silicon Couloir, quoted before the presentations began.

The crowd sat through nearly two and half hours of pitches and listened intently to inform their vote for the Audience Choice Award. Attendees also learned what it took in the panelists’ eyes to earn a $20,000 investment for the most compelling business idea, best chance of success, highest likelihood of getting funding and strongest presentation.

Co-founder Zoë Worthen and her startup Uplink Robotics was selected for the largest prize, the Panelist Choice Award. She came onstage with a robot inspector the company builds in Laramie that is designed to go into tight spaces and unknown situations. “You are being inspected,” she said, as she picked up the remote-controlled vehicle.

“Our customers face dangerous and unknown situations, putting their lives at risk,” she said, explaining that the company largely is marketing to home inspectors, tradespeople, first responders and law enforcement. “However, with our inspection crawlers, our customers can take the unknown out of the situation, gather crucial information and ensure their safety.”

This year the group of University of Wyoming grads she founded the business with have generated $400,000 in revenue.

They have no plans to leave Wyoming but do have big plans to expand the market. Worthen said Uplink Robotics aims to eventually secure government contracts with the military and police departments. An example was using the robot to investigate a home in Sheridan where a suspect was hiding out, instead of destroying the home.

“But we also want to make a difference in our community by offering more STEM and engineering jobs in the state of Wyoming,” she said, referring to the acronym for science, technology, engineering and math. “We have restarted the 4-H Robotics Club in Laramie, sponsor senior design projects and offer internships to students at the university. We want to raise the barrier of tech in Wyoming while also educating and motivating the next generation of engineers and innovators.”

The other entrepreneurs who made their case for the awards to the panel of experts, both from Jackson and across the country, weren’t as far along as Uplink Robotics.

In Jackson, Ing founder Zach Rachlin is designing the world’s first adventure management platform, which would help execute and document outdoor trips. It would connect outdoor travel and guide companies and individual adventurers with tools to map out their trips, create packing lists and even purchase the right equipment in the future, all in the program.

He won the Audience Choice Award of $10,000, as well as a year of free use at the Cowork Space. The award is given to the entrepreneur who “wows” the crowd.

ADVERTISING

“I think that’s probably reflective of the type of venture business that he had,” Kellogg said. “It’s outdoor rec, so a lot of the audience gets that.”

Novvacup founder Danielle Nicklas reimagined period health for those experiencing menstruation and wanted to create a collapsible menstrual cup that would “make things easier for women, their wallet and our planet.” Nicklas grew up in Jackson and earned her doctorate from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

“Our design also has a connected containment system so that your user experience is spill free, mess free and ‘ick’ free,” she said. “These are all significant improvements over our competitors that are bulky, uncomfortable, difficult to put in and hard to take out, but we can do this at a competitive price point. We are still in development. You can see our prototype cup and packaging provided through our Johns Hopkins and University of Wyoming networks. Our product is about two years from launch.”

Nicklas won the Bob Arndt Community Caretaker Award, which is $5,000 cash, an invitation to join the Silicon Couloir TEAMS program and six months of free use at the Cowork Space. Her company was viewed as one that best embodies the core values and mission of Silicon Couloir.

The other two competitors who received coaching and left a mark on the audience were Synthwave founder Charles Stumpf and Snake River Biosciences co-founder Michael Edwards.

In the end, Kellogg said the overwhelming response he got was that this may have been “one of the better crops of entrepreneurs coming in.” They showed off their individuality, passion and unique approach to problems in the world.

But the executive director of Silicon Couloir said there’s a high likelihood that the first venture isn’t going to be the most successful. He said the organization’s goal is support founders and entrepreneurs on their entire journey.

“Whether it catalyzes in this venture or future ventures, the point is for us to support entrepreneurs to become better at what they do so they can de-risk their current business or learn and apply it to a future business,” Kellogg said.

As Pirate Ship co-founder Bjorn Borstelmann said at Pitch Night, it’s going to be scary and mistakes are going to be made. Pirate Ship, a Silicon Couloir venture, was one of the main sponsors of the event. Borstelmann said it was his eighth try at a business and it wasn’t smooth sailing at first.

But he said entrepreneurs have to stick through it.

“It feels like every failure that I made led me to where I am today,” he said.

New Summit Forum creates space for peer support

New Summit Forum creates space for peer support

By Rob Kellogg

In the rugged landscape of the Tetons, where nature’s grandeur meets human ambition, we’ve long recognized that the most challenging ascents are rarely made alone. Just as mountaineers rely on trusted partners to reach new heights, so, too, do business leaders and entrepreneurs benefit from the support, wisdom and challenge of their peers.

It’s with this spirit of collaborative growth that Silicon Couloir is thrilled to announce our new Summit Forum program. This exclusive mastermind group brings together eight to 12 vetted business leaders and entrepreneurs in a unique, yearlong, peer-topeer learning environment designed to enhance leadership skills, solve complex problems and achieve significant personal growth.

Peer cohorts provide a confidential space for candid discussion and problem solving. In the isolation of leadership, it’s easy to feel that your challenges are unique. However, in a group of peers facing similar hurdles, leaders often find not only empathy but also fresh perspectives and innovative solutions. The Summit Forum creates this safe space, allowing participants to openly discuss their most pressing issues in a confidential setting and benefit from the collective wisdom of the group.

Moreover, peer-to-peer learning offers a unique form of accountability. When you share your goals and challenges with a group of respected peers, you’re more likely to follow through on your commitments. The Summit Forum enhances this through accountability partnerships, where participants are paired to support each other’s growth between sessions.

The Summit Forum goes beyond traditional networking or educational programs by offering a holistic approach to leadership development. The program includes monthly in-person meetings, personalized Hogan Assessments and coaching, access to Silicon Couloir’s extensive network of mentors and resources, and a private Slack group for ongoing dialogue and support.

For later-stage entrepreneurs and established professionals, the benefits of such a program are particularly profound. As businesses mature and leaders advance in their careers, the challenges become more complex and the stakes higher. The peer-to-peer model provides a unique opportunity to navigate these challenges with the support of others who truly understand the pressures and complexities of leadership.

The Summit Forum is not just a stand-alone program but represents the natural progression in Silicon Couloir’s comprehensive ecosystem of entrepreneurial support. This new program supports graduates of our TEAMS mentoring and Startup Success programs, offering a next-level engagement for those who already have benefited from our foundational support. At the same time, it welcomes new people into our community and in that way complements our Chance Meetings and annual Pitch Day event by providing a more intimate, sustained forum for peer learning and problem solving.

By bridging these various programs the Summit Forum helps to create a continuous path of growth and support for entrepreneurs at all stages, from ideation to maturity. This interconnected approach strengthens not only individual businesses but also the broader entrepreneurial fabric of our region, fostering a vibrant, collaborative business community that can tackle the unique challenges and opportunities of the Teton area.

As we launch this exciting new program, we’re reminded of a quote often attributed to Isaac Newton: “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” In the Summit Forum, every participant can be both the giant offering support and the visionary gaining new perspective.

We invite the leaders and entrepreneurs of our community to consider joining this transformative program. Whether you’re looking to scale your business, navigate a transition or simply elevate your leadership to the next level, the Summit Forum offers a unique opportunity to grow alongside your peers with the support of worldclass mentors and business leaders.

Applications for the Summit Forum are being accepted. We encourage interested leaders to mark their calendars and prepare to take this next step in their professional growth. Together we can elevate not just individual businesses but the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem of the Teton region and beyond.

For more information please visit SiliconCouloir.com/summit-forum.

StartUp Wyoming Launches to Strengthen Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Across the State

StartUp Wyoming Launches to Strengthen Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Across the State

StartUp Wyoming, a collaborative initiative between the Wyoming Business Council and Silicon Couloir designed to enhance entrepreneurial services and support for communities statewide, is officially underway. In its initial phase, the program will conduct a comprehensive assessment of Wyoming’s entrepreneurial landscape through a state-wide listening tour. The goal is to evaluate opportunities for strengthening startup programs and identify the resources necessary to foster innovation, drive startup growth, and support economic development throughout Wyoming.

“StartUp Wyoming represents a critical investment in our state’s entrepreneurial future,” says Rob Kellogg, Silicon Couloir Executive Director. “By assessing our current landscape and engaging with stakeholders from across the state, we aim to build a stronger foundation for startup success, which can lead to long-term job creation and economic growth.”

Following an extensive search, Silicon Couloir is proud to announce the appointment of two Wyoming-based professionals to lead the initiative forward.

Blossom Ko Lumley, StartUp Wyoming Director, brings over 20 years of experience in business operations, project design, and management across both nonprofit and for-profit sectors. As a co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Airloom Energy, a venture-backed wind energy startup based in Laramie, WY, Lumley has helped secure over $12 million in seed funding for the company.

“I’m thrilled to be part of StartUp Wyoming, an initiative designed to connect innovators to resources throughout Wyoming’s vital and expanding startup ecosystem,” states Lumley. “Through education, mentoring, peer networks, and funding, we can work collaboratively to accelerate and amplify startup success at every stage. We are grateful for the extensive support provided by the Wyoming Business Council and Silicon Couloir, and are eager to listen to and learn from the many voices and organizations dedicated to Wyoming’s growth.”

Zack Huberty, StartUp Wyoming Field Coordinator, and a Douglas, WY resident, has an extensive background in the startup ecosystem, founding several small businesses during his career including his latest venture, Miikana Woodworking. Demonstrating a strong track record in team building, networking across diverse sectors, and entrepreneurial enthusiasm, Zack brings a wide range of skills and expertise to his role. 

Lumley and Huberty are currently conducting a state-wide assessment, engaging with a variety of entities and organizations, including local governments, educational institutions, tribal entities, business support organizations, and Wyoming startups. Those interested in participating are encouraged to visit www.StartUpWy.com and fill out the linked contact form. 

About Silicon Couloir: Silicon Couloir is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower entrepreneurship for a healthy, vibrant community. Through a variety of world-class programs, Silicon Couloir supports entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey, helping them turn their ideas into thriving businesses. Since its inception in 2012, the organization has connected more than 17,000 business professionals, served over 500 entrepreneurs, and catalyzed $150 million in capital investment. 

About the Wyoming Business Council: The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) is the state's economic development agency, committed to leading economic growth, building resilient communities, and creating opportunities to thrive. The WBC works to support business growth, develop local infrastructure, and create job opportunities across the state.

September News

MONTHLY CHANCE MEETINGS 

Monday, September 9th, 5 - 7 pm @ The Virginian Saloon

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...

REGISTER FOR CHANCE MEETINGS

Theme: Pitch Day Sneak Preview

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. Our finalists have been hard at work perfecting their pitches with the help of expert volunteer mentors. 

Join us for a Pitch Day sneak preview on Monday, September 9th from 5 to 7pm  at The Virginian Saloon to hear about the coaching process and progress finalists are making leading up to the big event. 

Pitch Day is free to attend and open to the public. and will be held on Wednesday, October 9th from 5:00 - 7:30 pm at Center for the Arts with a reception to follow. Please register for Pitch Day HERE. 
 

NEWS AND NOTES

ANNOUNCING THE SUMMIT FORUM

The Summit Forum program is a brand-new unique opportunity for business leaders and entrepreneurs to enhance their leadership skills, solve complex problems, and achieve significant growth, while building a trusted, supportive cohort. Our mastermind brings together a select group of 8-12 vetted participants, providing a collaborative environment where you can leverage the collective experience of peers, mentors, coaches and the Silicon Couloir Ecosystem.

APPLY NOW

PAY IT FORWARD WITH OLD BILL'S

Has participating in Silicon Couloir’s programs made a difference in your life and company? Have opportunities for networking, mentoring, education, or business coaching helped you with strategic planning and problem solving, accelerated your growth and leadership skills, or increased your confidence? If the answer to any of those questions is yes, then we hope you’ll become a financial supporter of Silicon Couloir via Old Bill’s. 

Gifts will be accepted until Friday, September 13th at 5pm! Please help support our work to empower entrepreneurship in the Tetons for a healthy, vibrant community. We can't do it with out YOU! 
 

GIVE NOW

JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT VIRTUAL
 NOONTIME KNOWLEDGE

REGISTER TODAY

VISIONARY VENTURES

SERVING UP LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM
THE TENNIS COURT

"Our recent Trustee Circle event on Aug.14th, hosted by the swashbuckling crew at Pirate Ship, featured Jeff Moore, whose unique perspective on leadership stems from his successful career coaching championship athletes at the University of Texas. Moore sparked a thought-provoking dialogue about the nature of leadership for founders in our entrepreneurial ecosystem," states Silicon Couloir ED Rob Kellogg. 

"As we unpacked Moore’s concept of “competitive excellence” from his 2019 book “Strive Together,” I found myself reflecting on how it both aligns with and challenges popular leadership theories. Moore’s approach, honed on the tennis courts of collegiate athletics and applied to education and the business world, offers a fresh take on leadership that could be particularly valuable for our startup founders."

READ THE COLUMN

WELCOME TO NEW TRUSTEES

It is with tremendous gratitude that we thank Marnie Peterson and Tasso Coin for becoming Trustees. 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, Marnie and Tasso.

Dr. Marnie Peterson, PhD, PharmD (founder and ex-CEO of Extherid) is an expert in antibiotic resistance, antimicrobial stewardship, experimental therapeutics, and microbial pathogenesis. She has 20 years of experience in clinical pharmacy, research in antimicrobial resistance and development of therapeutics for infectious diseases.
 

She was tenured faculty at the University of Minnesota, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology. In that position, she successfully established a research and training program in infectious diseases with support from the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, foundations and industrial partners. She holds a patent for a new antimicrobial in development which served as the basis for the establishment of a clinical stage start-up company, Hennepin Life Sciences. She earned a PhD in Infection from the University of Birmingham, Medical School, United Kingdom, and PharmD and BS degrees from the University of Minnesota. She also completed an American College of Clinical Pharmacy fellowship, residency and post-doctoral fellowship in microbial pathogenesis at the University of Minnesota. She has recently joined the University of Wyoming faculty as a Professor. She was a Minnesota Business Magazine 2014 Leader’s in Health Care Finalist, which is awarded to an individual who is driving advancements in discovery and innovation through research, delivery of care, or a new procedure.

Tasso Coin is a Portfolio Manager for the Small Cap Value style and shares the responsibility of stock research and selection, portfolio management, and client communication with his team. Tasso joined Peregrine in 1995. He is an owner of the company and a member of Peregrine’s Board of Directors. Before coming to Peregrine, Tasso was a Research Officer with Thomas White Asset Management, where he was responsible for investment research and management of the Small Cap Value portfolio. Prior to that, he worked at Morgan Stanley as a Research Assistant. Tasso holds a BBA from Loyola University. He is a member of the CFA Institute.

ROB KELLOGG VISITS FRONTIER DAYS

"In July, I had the privilege of attending Cheyenne Frontier Days as a guest of the University of Wyoming business school," states Silicon Couloir ED Rob Kellogg. "This iconic event, often called the "Daddy of 'em All," provided a unique backdrop for engaging discussions about entrepreneurship and innovation in our state. Amid the excitement of rodeo events and western celebrations, I had the opportunity to connect with UW faculty, administrators, and students, all passionate about fostering Wyoming's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our conversations ranged from the challenges faced by rural startups to the potential for cross-pollination between traditional industries and emerging technologies like wind power and agtech."

"The enthusiasm I witnessed reinforced my belief in the vital role that educational institutions play in nurturing the next generation of Wyoming entrepreneurs. This experience not only strengthened our relationship with UW but also provided valuable insights that will inform our ongoing work at Silicon Couloir, particularly as we embark on the Startup Wyoming project with the Wyoming Business Council."

TETON LEADERSHIP SUMMIT DISCOUNT FOR SILICON COULOIR COMMUNITY

We'd love to share a special offer to the Silicon Couloir ecosystem for $50 off registration (20% savings). Please use code SILICON when registering online. 

REGISTER HERE

And, if you missed the last Teton Talks with Rob Kellogg and Fred Keller, you can catch it on YouTube! 

LOCAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES WITH EXTRAORDINARY COMPANIES

If you're looking for meaningful work with a local company, please consider apply to Pirate Ship or User Evidence. 

Pirate ship is hiring an Office Manager. Details and application HERE. 

User Evidence is hiring a Senior Sales Development Representative. Details and application HERE. 

DOWN HOME EATS HAS A NEW HOME

"As of Sunday, September 1st, I will be the new owner of Sky High Cuisine and Bakery," shares Leah Dow-Sanchez. "With my own kitchen space and the addition of GF and Vegan products I am excited at where this will be headed. I will be launching a Kickstarter Campaign on September 3rd. Ready Made meals will be starting back up in October and running through June 15th, 2025."
 

KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN

BEYOND THE RANGE PODCAST FEATURES
SILICON COULOIR

Yerguides, in partnership with Wyoming Public Media, produces the Beyond the Range podcast, which explores the critical need for economic diversification in Wyoming. Featuring thought leaders from diverse backgrounds across the state, the podcast aims to make this essential topic engaging and accessible to everyone—from a barley farmer in Lovell to a UW economics professor in Laramie, and all points in between. If we can make economic diversification both entertaining and informative for such a broad audience, we know we've succeeded.

"Yerguides wants to be a Wyoming based company leading the conversation on economic diversification for our state," explains Marko Ruble Co-Founder & CEO of Yerguides.io. "Following the principles of Silicon Couloir's People, Profit, Planet triple bottom line the Beyond the Range Podcast honors people, unlocks profit, and promotes the planet for folks across the Equality State." 
 

LISTEN NOW

gBETA ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL COHORT

gBETA Fall 2024 Application LINK (deadline to apply is September 30th, 2024-applying early is highly recommended). Make sure to choose "gBETA Wyoming Fall 2024" as the program you're applying to

• Interviews begin October 1st through October 11th (virtual)

• October 17th & 18th (virtual) to December 6th

• Showcase (in-person): December 12th in Cheyenne

• The time commitment for founders is around 5 hours per week, and is meant to be part-time for founders/teams, but will require some commitment outside of meetings as "founder homework"

• The program provides weekly "lunch and learn" content with guest speakers, two 1:1 coaching meetings, mentor meetings (at least 30-35 intros by the end of program), and a full week of investor meetings on the last week of the program (25+ meetings/intros)

• The program is fully virtual each week, so founders must familiarize themselves with Zoom and Google Drive/Sheets/Slides/Docs to be prepared

• During the program, founders will create an executive summary, a pitch deck, and target KPIs designed for meeting with investors

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.
 

Serving up leadership lessons from the tennis court

Serving up leadership lessons from the tennis court

By Rob Kellogg

As the echoes of the Paris Olympics fade and the clay settles on the Roland Garros courts, we’re reminded that leadership lessons often emerge from unexpected places. In the world of tennis, where individual skill meets team strategy, we find a perfect analogy for the entrepreneurial spirit.

Our recent Trustee Circle event on Aug. 14, hosted by the swashbuckling crew at Pirate Ship, featured Jeff Moore, whose unique perspective on leadership stems from his successful career coaching championship athletes at the University of Texas. Moore sparked a thought-provoking dialogue about the nature of leadership for founders in our entrepreneurial ecosystem.

As we unpacked Moore’s concept of “competitive excellence” from his 2019 book “Strive Together,” I found myself reflecting on how it both aligns with and challenges popular leadership theories. Moore’s approach, honed on the tennis courts of collegiate athletics and applied to education and the business world, offers a fresh take on leadership that could be particularly valuable for our startup founders.

Simon Sinek’s “Start with Why” mantra popularized a view that leadership was first and foremost about building a following by articulating a compelling vision. While this likely resonates with many in our startup community, Moore’s framework pushes us to think beyond merely inspiring followers. It suggests that true leadership is about empowering others to strive together, fostering an environment of mutual growth and challenge.

This perspective aligns closely with John Kotter’s classic 1990 article “What Leaders Really Do” (later expanded into his 1996 book Leading Change). Kotter makes an important distinction between management and leadership, arguing that while managers cope with complexity, leaders cope with change. Our discussion with Moore expanded on this foundation, detailing how leaders cultivate a spirit of continuous improvement across four key relationships: self, team, direct reports and boss. It’s like a leadership quadrathlon, minus the spandex.

In the relationship to self, Moore emphasized how leaders must be willing to move out of their comfort zone, solve problems unconventionally and embrace failure. This self-awareness and courage to grow goes beyond Sinek’s idea of inspiring others and speaks to Kotter’s emphasis on leaders setting direction and modeling change.

The relationship to team and boss in Moore’s framework echoes Kotter’s assertion that leaders align people. However, Moore adds to this concept by emphasizing the willingness to challenge and be challenged, demonstrate empathy and communicate directly. This fosters a culture of open dialogue and mutual growth, essential in our tight-knit business community.

Perhaps most striking was our discussion on the relationship to direct reports. Moore’s framework gets specific: Leaders build genuine personal relationships, challenge team members to stretch beyond perceived limits, listen actively and empower ownership of work. This approach creates what Moore calls a “competitive cauldron” — an environment that prepares teams for high-stakes scenarios and fosters innovation.

Hearing Moore explain these four key relationships reminds me of the “Leadership Compass” often associated with Robert Haas, who was CEO of Levi Strauss and Co. from 1984 to 1999. Haas was known for his strong leadership practices, and this model identifies four primary leadership orientations, each associated with a cardinal direction: north (action oriented and decisive), east (visionary and big picture thinker), south (supportive and people focused) and west (analytical and detail oriented). Such a centralized approach to leadership is no small achievement in today’s world, where the pace of technological and social change is accelerating.

As we delve into these ideas, I find myself reconsidering what true leadership looks like for mentors and founders in our ecosystem. And I’m asking myself: What style of leadership would Jeff say I’m modeling here at Silicon Couloir? Clearly, it’s not just about building a following or coping with change, but about creating an environment where the team collectively strives for excellence, much like a championship sports team. Would my staff and board say I’m accomplishing this?

I’m excited about how our founders and mentors might implement these ideas. If we can help our entrepreneurs move beyond building a following to creating environments of mutual growth and challenge, we could see a new wave of resilient, adaptive and truly excellent businesses emerging from our community.

Thanks to Jeff, we now have an open invitation to evolve our understanding of leadership to support businesses in the Tetons and beyond. I look forward to seeing how these ideas, born from high-performance collegiate athletics and refined in the business world, take root in our entrepreneurial ecosystem, transforming not just how founders lead, but how entire teams strive together toward excellence.

August News

MONTHLY CHANCE MEETINGS 

Monday, August 5th, 5 - 7 pm @ The Virginian Saloon

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: Founders Spotlight— Cowork Space Members Pitch their Businesses 

Located in the heart of Jackson, steps from the iconic Jackson town square, the Cowork Space is an affordable communal workspace inspiring creativity and productivity to locals and visitors alike, and is one of the foundational offerings of Silicon Couloir. Join us on Monday, August 5th from 5-7 pm at The Virginian Saloon to hear elevator pitches from our dynamic Cowork Space members. Companies include a craft whiskey producer, a community climate and resilience consultancy, an immigrant advocacy nonprofit, and more! 
 

REGISTER FOR CHANCE MEETINGS

NEWS AND NOTES

ANNOUNCING PITCH DAY FINALISTS

Silicon Couloir’s 13th Annual Pitch Day, our signature event of the year,  will be held on Wednesday, October 9th from 5:00 to 7:30 PM MT at the Center for the Arts in Jackson, WY, with a reception to follow the main event.

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. Pitch Day is an intensive program that provides expert coaching to participants and is a celebration of the highly successful entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Teton region fostered by Silicon Couloir. Pitch Day is open to the public and free to attend. A livestream will be available for those who can’t attend in person. 

Selected entrepreneurs will have five coaching sessions with a team of successful and experienced business experts leading up to the public event. A critical and high-value feature of the program, coaching helps entrepreneurs hone their delivery and synthesize their concept, financials, and presentation.

Selection for our four finalists was extremely competitive this year. We thank the many high quality companies and their founding entrepreneurs who applied, and are pleased to announce our 2024 finalists.

 

Pitch Day Finalists

Ing

Founder Zach Rachlin

Ing is the best app to plan, live, and relive your self-guided backcountry adventures. Whatever your thing, do it better with ing.

NovvaCup

Founder Danielle Nicklas

NovvaCup is a pre-seed femtech company that provides human-centric period care products and re-imagined period health for those experiencing menstruation. Our flagship product is a collapsible menstrual cup for easy and comfortable use without the stress and mess.

Synthwave

Founder Charles Stumpf

Synthwave caters to the evolving needs of both businesses and their employees by integrating cryptocurrency and tokenized equity into payroll systems, ensuring compliance, simplifying management, and enhancing financial flexibility and security for all users.

Uplink Robotics

Co-Founder Zoë Worthen

Uplink Robotics manufactures high-quality and purpose-built inspection tools that help our customers inspect the uninspected. Our customers range from a variety of industries such as home inspection, construction, first responders, and more.

REGISTER FOR PITCH DAY

JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT NOONTIME KNOWLEDGE

REGISTER TODAY

VISIONARY VENTURES:

‘CAN-DO’ WYOMING REFLECTS STATE OF THE NATION

"In the 24/7 news cycle that incessantly warns of political and economic Armageddon, it helps to step back and take stock of what’s right with America. And in that light, what makes the U.S. economy so dynamic is evident right here in Wyoming in general and Teton County in particular," states Joseph Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist for Bank of America. Read Quinlan's insights into the strength and resilience of the US economy in our most recent Visionary Ventures column. 

READ THE COLUMN

WE INVITE YOU TO WRITE A REVEIW 

We have recently launched a Google business profile for Silicon Couloir and are seeking reviews from ecosystem members who have participated in and benefited from our programs. Reviews help us improve our online presence and bring more people into our thriving community.  Please share your experience and appreciation for Silicon Couloir! 

WRITE A REVEIW

 ANNOUNCING TETON TALKS AUGUST 27TH

ANNOUNCING THE FALL TETON LEADERSHIP
CENTER CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 26 & 27

REGISTER FOR TLC SUMMIT

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
 

‘Can-do’ Wyoming reflects state of the nation

‘Can-do’ Wyoming reflects state of the nation

By Joseph Quinlan

In the 24/7 news cycle that incessantly warns of political and economic Armageddon, it helps to step back and take stock of what’s right with America. And in that light, what makes the U.S. economy so dynamic is evident right here in Wyoming in general and Teton County in particular.

First, no economy in the world is as large, diverse and wealthy as the U.S. economy. Think of our economy as a hydra-headed superpower, leading in such diverse activities as technology, health care and education, as well as aerospace, agriculture, mining and tourism, key sectors of Wyoming and the Teton region. With just 4.3% of the global population, the U.S. economy accounts for more than 26% of global GDP.

Second, no large power is as blessed by geography as the United States, and in an age of geopolitical strife, resource constraints and contested borders, there’s a premium on geography. America enjoys the luxury of being surrounded by nonthreatening neighbors to the north and south, and fish to its east and west. The Teton region, meanwhile, is one of the most pristine places in the lower 48 — a mecca for tourists from all over the world.

Third, America’s unique entrepreneurial ecosystem that encourages and enables the incessant churn of creative destruction is unparalleled on a global basis. America’s economic metabolism is different from the rest of the world. No country creates and destroys as manically as America. Just since 2000, more than half (52%) of the companies on the Fortune 500 list have gone bankrupt, been acquired or ceased to exist. Meanwhile, as old firms die, new firms are spawned. America’s start-up itch has only grown stronger in the past few years, and as everyone knows, a strong entrepreneurial streak runs through the Tetons.

Fourth, the United States remains an energy superpower, a key competitive edge at a time of rising resource nationalism. Wyoming figures prominently in this mix, with the state the top U.S. producer of coal as well as a significant supplier of natural gas and oil, and critical elements such as rare earth minerals and uranium. The state’s potential for renewable power like wind remains vast.

Fifth and finally, while China has made significant technological strides over the past decade, the United States remains the world’s technology leader, owing to the nation’s risk-taking, not-afraid-to-fail entrepreneurial culture that underpins America’s leadership in both technology and innovation. The future lies in technology, and with Wyoming recently designated as one of the federal government’s 31 inaugural Tech Hubs, the state will play a key role in America’s tech future, notably in advanced nuclear manufacturing and clean energy. Many other variables support the underlying dynamism of the U.S. economy, including the dollar, the world’s reserve currency; the strength of the U.S. military, unmatched globally; America’s leading edge when it comes to higher education/universities; and robust foreign capital inflows, with America the longtime destination and magnet for foreign capital. Per the latter, Wyoming’s vast energy potential has attracted foreign investment from firms all over the world, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Belgium and Japan, to name a few countries.

Yes, the state of our union is not perfect. The country confronts serious challenges at home and abroad, and is on the cusp of a historic and polarizing national election. The key policy initiatives of both parties — immigration, trade, renewable energy/climate mitigation — will have considerable consequences for Wyoming and Jackson Hole. The Tetons may feel remote and removed from the maelstrom of national and global politics, but nothing could be further from the truth.

We have been here before. America always has risen to the occasion, bending, not breaking, under duress. The era we live is still near-golden — shaped more by peace than war; progress over poverty; and economic growth versus stagnation. Given the daily negative media barrage, you would never know that we are in the midst of one of the most prolonged and prosperous eras of global growth the world has ever experienced.

Keeping the good times rolling will require leadership at all levels — federal, state and local. An active, not passive, citizenship is essential, as is a can-do, get-it-done spirit. Enter the Tetons.

July News

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. 

REGISTER FOR CHANCE MEETINGS

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.

REGISTER TODAY

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.
 

READ THE COLUMN

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.
 

GET VEGGIES

ANNOUNCING THE FALL TETON LEADERSHIP
CENTER CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 26 & 27
 

DETAILS AND REGISTRATION

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.
 

Silicon Couloir and Wyoming Business Council Announce Partnership to Assess Entrepreneurial Services Across the State

Silicon Couloir and Wyoming Business Council Announce Partnership to Assess Entrepreneurial Services Across the State

Silicon Couloir is proud to announce a new partnership with the Wyoming Business Council (“WBC”) aimed at enhancing entrepreneurial services and support to communities across the state. This collaboration will strengthen the state's entrepreneurial ecosystem and provide vital resources to budding entrepreneurs in Wyoming's diverse economic landscape.

Under this partnership, Silicon Couloir and the WBC will work together to assess Wyoming's current entrepreneurial ecosystem, including conducting a listening tour of community leaders to evaluate opportunities for business mentorship. The initiative will identify gaps and develop a comprehensive bottom-up understanding of the resources required to support and enhance entrepreneurship statewide. This partnership aims to foster innovation, support startup growth, and drive economic development throughout Wyoming.

Silicon Couloir Executive Director Rob Kellogg says: "We are thrilled to partner with the Wyoming Business Council to expand our reach across the state. By collaborating with the WBC, we can leverage our combined resources and expertise to create a more robust and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in Wyoming. This partnership allows us to identify and address the unique needs of entrepreneurs in different communities, providing them with the tools, mentorship, and access to capital they need to succeed. Together, we hope to foster a culture of innovation and sustainable economic growth that benefits all of Wyoming."

The Wyoming Business Council shares this enthusiasm, recognizing the importance of supporting local entrepreneurs.

"The Wyoming Business Council is excited to join forces with Silicon Couloir to strengthen our state's entrepreneurial landscape,” says Business Council CEO Josh Dorrell. “This partnership underscores our commitment to supporting and empowering entrepreneurs in all corners of Wyoming. By working with Silicon Couloir, we can better understand the challenges and opportunities facing our communities and develop targeted initiatives to help them thrive. We believe this collaboration is a critical step toward nurturing homegrown businesses, attracting new ventures and capital to the state, and creating a more resilient and diversified economy."

The partnership will focus on delivering targeted programs and initiatives tailored to meet the unique needs of entrepreneurs in different regions of the state. Silicon Couloir and the WBC aim to bridge gaps in the current entrepreneurial landscape, ensuring that key Wyoming communities have access to the support they need to thrive in the future.

Silicon Couloir welcomes new executive director

Silicon Couloir welcomes new executive director

Rob Kellogg has worked with entrepreneurs across the county, comes to Jackson via Colorado.

By Zoe Naylor

When Rob Kellogg first came to the cowork space at Silicon Couloir in the summer of 2021, he just needed a quiet place to get some work done. Little did he know he would become the executive director of the startup enterprise and coworking space three years later.

Is it a full circle moment for him? “Sort of is, yeah,” he said.

Kellogg began as executive director this month after years of working with entrepreneurs across the country, co-founding a startup himself and teaching entrepreneurship at the Watson Institute in Boulder, Colorado, for the past six years.

The San Francisco native was introduced to the world of entrepreneurship while doing his master’s research at a nongovernment health organization, a microenterprise, in northern India.

He then returned to Washington, D.C., and ended up working in “responsible investments,” helping investors integrate environmental, social and governance factors into their decision-making.

“The bedrock of the U.S. economy is actually small businesses,” he said. “It’s not large companies. I think it’s really important — especially in this area, where the cost of living is getting expensive — to be able to support people who want to start businesses and employ people locally here.”

Now, Kellogg is jumping in the deep end with this new position. The first round of Silicon Couloir’s annual Pitch Day event is well underway.

Through June 28, entrepreneurs in the Teton region have the opportunity to pitch their business to a selection committee to see who will get to present their pitch at the event on Oct. 9.

“It’s a competitive process,” Kellogg said.

During August and September, the hardworking and lucky entrepreneurs will receive coaching from mentors on how to strengthen their pitch — everything from adding specific data and business projections to their presentations to management styles and workshopping the oft-neglected but everimportant soft skills required to successfully start a business. That last factor is important to Kellogg.

With a master’s degree in organizational leadership and strategy, he knows that sometimes the best ideas don’t come with the best managers. But a good startup must have both. Kellogg aims to integrate more soft skills into the mentorship curriculum at Silicon Couloir so entrepreneurs are as well-rounded as they can be.

“You’ve got to deal with the hard skills for an entrepreneur, but you’ve also got to help them with the soft skills,” he said. “Communication. Coachability. And teaching empathy, humility and how to manage people — all those leadership qualities.”

Looking ahead, the new executive director has big plans for Silicon Couloir. The nonprofit is set to expand to the Casper area, its first step outside the Teton region, with potentially more expansion from there. He also hopes to start a “peer cohort” at Silicon Couloir.

There is already a well-established mentor-mentee structure at the organization, but what’s missing is what Kellogg described as a “peer support group” — where entrepreneurs can meet with those in the same level of development as they are — not so much for advice but for behind-the-scenes camaraderie and solidarity.

For hopeful entrepreneurs, Kellogg had a few words of wisdom. He said there were three qualities that help new business owners thrive.

The first was humility. “People who have humility and are coachable strongly correlate to having successful outcomes as entrepreneurs,” Kellogg said.

The second: “You have to be able to answer ‘Why me?’ and explain one’s “competitive advantage.” That includes tangible skills but also experience that might not on the surface be translatable to other fields but that entrepreneurs know make them wellequipped for a position.

Finally, having a personal connection to the mission of a startup is crucial, he said. “The most successful founders are people who have had a direct correlation to the problem they’re trying to solve.”

Though he’s been around the block, having been an entrepreneur himself, Kellogg exercises that humility in this new position.

“I’m still in a learning phase,” Kellogg said, and referenced a few aspects of the nonprofit where he was still getting his sea legs.

Over the next several months, Kellogg’s wife and 18-year-old son will be completing their move to Jackson to join him. Kellogg looks forward to exploring the area with them and fly-fishing in his spare time.

On his first day as executive director, Kellogg had a bare-bones office. The only things in it were a standing desk (his favorite part of a workspace), two filing cabinets and a vase holding five lily buds.

Contact Zoe Naylor by emailing intern@jhnewsandguide.com.

Whiskey maker infuses sustainability into branding

Whiskey maker infuses sustainability into branding

By Rebecca Reimers

For shoppers perusing the whiskey selection at The Liquor Store in Jackson, there’s one bottle that certainly will catch their eyes. Not due to a colorful label or unusually shaped bottle, rather it’s the high-quality, reusable, stainless steel Klean Kanteen container that immediately sets Mountaineer Spirits whiskey apart from competitors and says volumes about the company’s values.

“We’re striving to be the Patagonia of whiskey,” Founder Matt Adkins explained as we sat down recently to discuss his company at The Cowork Space, where Adkins is a member.

I quickly learned that Matt’s first love was skiing. He began to carve in “the mighty” Cuyahoga River Valley in Cleveland. As a college student in Colorado, he visited several Western ski resorts but never made the trip to Jackson. Years later he attended a leadership conference held partly at The Cowork Space and immediately was smitten with the area.

After a few days in town, he called his wife. “I told her Jackson is amazing and we should look at houses here,” recounts Adkins. “She knew then that we were definitely going to move here.”

While on a later visit to the area in 2019, the couple attended a Silicon Couloir holiday gathering that featured regional entrepreneurs offering customized creative activities for attendees. It sealed the deal. “It was so inspiring to see all the incredible entrepreneur booths. The ‘anything’s possible’ mindset here makes it unlike any other ski town.”

The couple was able to make the move in 2020 and since has embraced our startup community and all it has to offer. Adkins regularly attends Chance Meetings with his newborn son in tow and is mentored in Silicon Couloir’s TEAMS program. “It’s been really encouraging to meet others in the Silicon Couloir community who have built their own livelihood,” he said. “It makes our startup seem doable.” Like mountain pursuits, service always has been foundational to Adkins’ life. After graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy, he opted to join the Army and commanded an infantry company in Afghanistan in the 10th Mountain Division. The “ski soldiers” of the elite light-infantry division specializing in mountain warfare played a critical role in World War II, and the division was reactivated in 1985.

Following his military career, Adkins took advantage of the G.I. Bill to pursue a master’s at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.While in school, he met his co-founder in 2016, also a former Army veteran who served as a Green Beret in a Special Forces unit in Colorado Springs. The two bonded over their love of mountains and libations, then set out to build a business to create quality spirits for the adventurous. At the time the pandemic was wreaking havoc on global supply chains, so the duo decided to focus on bourbon, which is sourced in the United States.

It’s a whiskey “people want to drink at the campfire, or back at the hut after backcountry skiing or hiking,” Adkins said. The flavor is both spicy and slightly sweet, with a smooth finish. Even for a whiskey novice like me, the easy-drinking quality is apparent.

While in the Army, Adkins gained the ability to manage logistics and complicated operations, skills that he now applies to his business. “I came into this sector with a project management background and am learning how to sell and tell the brand story as we go. There’s a lot to learn building a startup, and we’re fortunate to have Silicon Couloir in our community to help us find the resources needed to grow.”

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.

“We want to be the brand that aligns with our customers’ values and ethics of community, adventure and open space,” Adkins said.

While Mountaineer Spirits is still a small craft brand, the company is growing rapidly. The product is now available in six states, with a focus on the Rockies. Recently the Wyoming Liquor Division, which acts as the wholesale distributor throughout the state, “fully listed” Mountaineer Spirits by purchasing product that retailers can attain within one to three days.

Having fully embraced the Teton community, Adkins is looking for ways to give back. “I’m always happy to share spirits and good vibes at nonprofit events,” he says with a smile. “We’re also hoping to host a whiskey festival in the coming year. ‘A rising tide lifts all boats’ is our approach to business.”

HR executive moves to mentorship in Tetons

HR executive moves to mentorship in Tetons

Kathleen Brown has worked in human resources for large companies, now advises startups in Silicon Couloir space.

By Sophia Boyd-Fliegel

If you ever hear about corporate human resources, you probably hear about the problems. In the wake of crypto trading platform FTX’s 2022 collapse, it was revealed that the only organizational chart had been from the former CEO’s psychiatrist. The company’s scaffolding was intentionally abnormal, which turned out to be entirely unsustainable. “When employees don’t know what’s going on, there’s anxiety,” said Kathleen Brown, who became an expert in diagnosing and attempting to heal corporate mistrust. She said employees can have feelings of “I don’t know where we’re growing. I don’t know why we’re here. I don’t know why that decision was made. I was just told that it’s being done.” Trust is hard to build and easy to lose, whether in a Fortune 500 company or an entrepreneurial startup. Through her career, Brown has been in the thick of companies of all sizes, even a literal momand-pop shop. Her first job was as a teen working for her parents, who owned a music store in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.

“Businesses always interested me,” she said, “probably because of those roots.”

Brown, 63, recently stepped away from an intense career in corporate human resources and, before that, management consulting. After living in the resort community of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia she moved full time to Jackson in 2021.

Brown has been in intense corporate atmospheres since college. Management consulting has a reputation for people aiming for high-earning, hardworking environments. But Brown spoke fondly of the slog, the 50- to 80-hour weeks, even the all-nighters.

Downsides? Not much personal life, she said.

“But everybody around me was young,” she said. “Many of them are still my good friends after all these years.”

After 11 years Brown took time off work to downshift. She volunteered for many boards, becoming “Miss Community” and had her son, Trey Speer. She thought she’d go back to a similar position at a health care company, but in interviews she was pressed to take a bigger role for the 800-employee CareCore National as vice president of HR. In that role she immediately knew something had to change.

“It was a kind of command-and-control culture. A lot of shoot first, ask questions later,” she said, “I later learned that the HR team had left crying and in tears.”

Even with the smell of smoke, Brown wanted to run into the fire.

“I love to get in there and problemsolve,” she said. “I love a challenge.”

The company grew from 800 to 5,000 and rebranded to eviCore healthcare. Then it sold to pharmacy benefit management organization Express Scripts, with 42,000 employees, which was bought by Cigna Group, currently ranked No. 15 on the Forbes Fortune 500.

Brown is now advising others in Jackson Hole, serving on the Community Safety Network and Coombs Outdoors boards of directors. She advises startups in the Silicon Couloir space, like Jordan Rich, director of Voices JH, a nonprofit that trains immigrant leaders in the Teton region and Keely Kelleher, founder of Keely’s Camp for Girls.

“Listening is a huge part of it,” she said.“What is the entrepreneur struggling with? What’s the problem?”

Then she corrected herself. “Not the problem, what’s the opportunity?”

For her next challenge and opportunity, Brown is co-founder with Sharon Felzer of the inaugural Jackson Hole Book Festival, a free ticketed event set for Oct. 26 at Snow King Resort. Thirty national and international bestselling authors will be speaking about their work.

Silicon Couloir Welcomes New Executive Director + Pitch Day Application Period Info Session Tomorrow

Following an extensive search, Silicon Couloir is pleased to welcome Rob Kellogg as the organization’s new executive director. Kellogg’s unique combination of entrepreneurial knowledge, executive-level experience and nonprofit service makes him an ideal leader for Silicon Couloir. Kellogg is a seasoned social impact leader, founder, and educator with 25 years of expertise in organizational management, strategy, and sustainability. Throughout his career, he has served as COO, executive director, and general manager, building and leading high-performing teams with businesses, nonprofits, and start-ups. For the past five years, he has been on faculty at the Watson Institute, teaching and mentoring social entrepreneurs in their flagship accelerator. Recently, he has also served in fractional executive roles with two VC-backed climate tech startups, and was the Executive Director of a Social Venture Partners chapter. In 2007, he co-founded a firm providing environmental, social, and governance risk analysis of foreign public companies to institutional investors. 

A native of San Francisco, Kellogg has substantial intercultural experience, attending a French bilingual elementary school and living and traveling in more than forty countries. He holds degrees from St. Lawrence University, SIT Graduate Institute, and the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School.

"I am thrilled and honored to join Silicon Couloir as the new executive director,” states Kellogg. “I look forward to working with the talented team and dedicated community to further Silicon Couloir's mission of connecting local entrepreneurs with the resources they need to thrive. Together, we will continue to foster innovation, growth, and positive change in the Teton region and beyond. 

Says board chair Tom Quantrille, "I am thrilled to announce that the Silicon Couloir board has chosen Rob Kellogg as our new Executive Director. Rob brings extensive experience across all of our core competencies and has a proven record of leadership. We are confident that this foundation, coupled with his passion, integrity, and focus, will have a meaningful impact on the success of our entrepreneurs and, ultimately, the communities we serve."

Kellogg follows Gary Trauner's tenure as Executive Director. Trauner oversaw tremendous growth of the organization in his 5-year tenure, and has departed the organization for retirement. 

PITCH DAY APPLICATION KICKS OFF TOMORROW WITH HYBRID INFORMATIONAL SESSION

Photo: 2023 Pitch Day Finalists on stage. 

Photo: Griffin Post pitched Cruxley Field Goods.

Silicon Couloir is pleased to announce that we will accept entrepreneur applications for our 13th Annual Pitch Day beginning Wednesday, May 15th and ending 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.
 

Pitch Day is a celebration of the highly successful entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Teton region. We hope to inspire audience members and others in our community to dream up or begin their own entrepreneurial journey.

Applicant criteria: 

• Stage: Pitch Day applicants will be considered in the following stages of their business cycle: developmental, pre-revenue and post-revenue.

• Funding: Companies should be actively raising a pre-seed, seed, or early Series A round of financing or plan to do so in the next six months.

• Growth potential: Priority will be given to ventures with a business model that has potential to scale and grow significantly.

• Geography: Preference will be given to ventures with the greatest potential for impact in the Teton region.

• Values-Based: Silicon Couloir is a values-based, mission-driven organization, and applicants will be required to provide a description of how their venture relates to Silicon Couloir’s guiding principle of “Profit. People. Planet.”

• Silicon Couloir Ecosystem: Previous participation in other Silicon Couloir programs may be considered as a value-add by the selection committee.

How to apply:

The application period opens Wednesday, May 15th and all applications are due by Friday, June 28th.

All applicants must either 1) contact Brittney Ziebell, Director of Entrepreneurship, at britt@siliconcouloir.com for instructions on how to apply and program commitment for applicants and finalists, or 2) attend the hybrid information session. The information session will be held on Wednesday, May 15th from noon to 1 pm at the Cowork Space conference room located at 140 East Broadway, Suite 22B in Jackson. Please visit  www.siliconcouloir.com/pitch-day for the Zoom link if you can’t attend in person. 

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.
 

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