Startup Week offers six industry-specific tracks this year
May 14, 2019
Are you a food-entrepreneur? An artist-entrepreneur? Focused on medtech or defense? Running a social enterprise? A retail biz?
This year, Startup Week has tracks specifically for you.
As part of our work to expand the 2019 Techstars Dayton Startup Week, we’ve added a six industry-specific tracks with sessions tailored to go beyond the marketing, sales, finance and founder basics that will be covered on our main stage at the Steam Plant.
These specialized tracks in arts & music, defense innovation, food, medtech, retail/product & social entrepreneurship, have been designed by volunteer track captains — entrepreneurs or resource providers with experience in these industries and the expertise to delve deep into the unique needs for your type of startup.
In the food track, mingle with copackers who can help you scale up production; grocery panel reps who can talk about getting your product on shelves; tips & tricks for getting the best photos of your food products; marketing your food products; and hear David Butcher’s success story of moving Flyby BBQ from food truck to storefront restaurant. (Flyby BBQ is also donating lunch on Wednesday, don’t miss it!)
“It’s encouraging to see the city begin to recognize the specialized needs and impacts of food businesses. They’re unlike tech in many ways, and this is a great opportunity to gather relevant resources in one room,” food entrepreneur, Mutt’s Sauce founder, and food track co-captain Charlynda Scales said. “Whether it’s food tables, distribution, or getting on grocery shelves, we’re excited to poise these entrepreneurs for success. Food has a direct impact on the local economy — it shouldn’t be underestimated.”
In the medtech track, learn about growing a company in this industry, from licensing tech, to prototyping, finding early stage medical money, meeting FDA regulations, completing clinical trials, and landing your first account. Hear stories from and mingle with heavy hitters like Michael Triplett, Principal of Carmen Partners & former CEO of Myonexus Therapeutics; Peter Kleinhenz, CFO Myonexus; Ben Pidgeon of Vision Tech Angels; & Dave Kirshman, CEO AeroBiotix.
“This is the first time that the broader region is bringing together all of the entrepreneurial activity in the medtech arena,” Xact Medical CEO & medtech track co-captain Andy Cothrel said. “There should be a lot of great cross-fertilization, and an appreciation for how large this cluster has grown.”
In the arts & music track, learn about pricing your art; building your music biz; selling to corporate clientele; impacting artistic institutions with the entrepreneurial spirit; and turning your art hobby into your day job.
“The tech entrepreneur community and the world of art making share many intersecting pathways, perspectives, and the spirit of invention and innovation — a spirit driven by passion to create, illuminate and inspire the world we live in, either by new systems, technology or artistic works,” Sinclair professor, host of PBS’s The Art Show and arts & music track co-captain Rodney Veal said. “By bringing these two realms together, we see an amazing opportunity explore these connections and bonds and also maybe inspire new collaborations or possibilities or ways of viewing our world.”
In the defense innovation track, learn about how small businesses can snag government contracts and government funding; learn about the new accelerator program that will connect you with military resources to move your idea from research to pitch; & mingle with representatives from Bunker Labs, an organization that works to empower veteran entrepreneurs.
In the retail/product track, learn about handling customer service, moving your craft hobby into a brick & mortar store, & getting into big box stores.
In the social entrepreneurship track, learn about the options to legally structure your mission-focused business, and learn about the ways to keep your mission in the forefront of your business operations.
What are you most looking forward to this year at Startup Week?! Register here!
