Changing Lanes Fireside Chat with Founders

Are you curious about the journey of building a startup and scaling it to success? You’re invited to an engaging fireside chat hosted in partnership with 20Fathoms and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. This fireside chat brings together inspiring founders to share their stories, insights, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators. Hear a firsthand account of making the pivot from the corporate world to entrepreneurship from local entrepreneur, Bill Myers, CEO & Director of Thermovance, in a discussion moderated by Alisyn Malek, CEO of Middle Third.

By creating a casual and welcoming space, a fireside chat aims to lower the barriers to entry into the startup world while highlighting the vibrant ecosystem of resources available in entrepreneurial communities across Michigan, including right here in Traverse City. Whether you’re dreaming of launching your own business, looking to scale your startup, or simply curious about the entrepreneurial world, this conversation is for you!

Want to dive deeper? Be sure to check out the workshop on April 30!

What to expect:

Founder Q&A:

• Hear firsthand accounts of entrepreneurial journeys, including the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned along the way.
• Engage in an interactive Q&A session to get your burning questions answered by successful founders.

Networking Opportunities:

• Connect with like-minded individuals passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Build valuable relationships with peers, mentors, and community members.

Local Resources:

• Discover the tools, programs, and support to help you start and grow your own business.

Who should attend:

• Aspiring entrepreneurs looking to learn from seasoned founders.
• Innovators and creators seeking inspiration and actionable advice.
• Community members exploring local entrepreneurial resources.

Light food and refreshments will be provided.

This event is part of Northern Michigan Startup Week. View the full schedule for this week of events celebrating entrepreneurship, innovation, and the growing startup community in Northern Michigan.

About Changing Lanes:

The State of Michigan’s new Changing Lanes program leverages resources available within the state’s wide array of entrepreneurship channels to create a talent pipeline that will foster job creation and innovations by bridging the startup and automotive ecosystems.

About 20Fathoms:

Based in Traverse City, 20Fathoms is a nonprofit organization and the hub for entrepreneurship and innovation in Northwest Michigan. The 20Fathoms team works with entrepreneurs of all stages and industries, and also offers specialized services to meet the unique needs of technology-focused startups. Programs include startup education, business coaching, TCNewTech pitch competitions, access to capital, a vibrant coworking space, and general resources and support. For more information visit: https://20fathoms.org/