Breakfast Lab
Every Thursday at 20Fathoms
Weekly startup workshops, coaching, expert guidance, and community
Whether you’re just starting out with an idea or ready to start up, Breakfast Lab takes your business model to the next level. Think of it as a pre-accelerator—but one that fits with your most pressing startup needs with access to the right tools and the right people at the right time.
Over 12 weeks, each Thursday morning workshop will guide you through a key part of the founder’s journey—from defining your problem and customer, to building traction, to making the ask. By the end of the series, you’ll walk away with a complete pitch deck you can use to tell your story with confidence, whether you’re pitching investors, applying for grants, talking with partners, or just explaining your business clearly.
Each week we’ll focus on one particular topic that will help you turn your ideas into a functional, investor-ready pitch deck. Attend only the ones most relevant to you, or attend them all — it’s up to you.
Breakfast Lab is held in-person weekly, and they are free to attend. Walk-ins are welcome. Coffee and light breakfast snacks available.
Breakfast Lab Breakdown: EVERY THURSDAY
You’ll also find a community of support at each Breakfast Lab. Meet other entrepreneurs and build lasting peer connections as you build your businesses together.
Startup Workshop (9 – 10:30 am)
Workshops to meet you where you are in developing your business model.
No registration and no prerequisites: all are welcome. Not able to join us in person? Join us virtually!
Startup Coaching (10:30 am – noon)
Stick around after the workshop for 1:1 coaching with the 20Fathoms Startup Services team and other experts. Coaching is open to everyone—you don’t need to attend the workshop. We can help review your business model, solve your most pressing problems, and get clear on your next steps.
Topics & Dates
Sept 11 – Entrepreneurial Mindset
Explore the mindset of a founder and clarify why you are the one to solve this problem. Presented by Bill Palladino.
Sept 18 – Customer Discovery I
Learn how to craft a strong problem statement and design questions to uncover real customer insights. Presented by Erin Srebinski.
Sept 25 – Customer Discovery II
Turn interview findings into insights, refine your customer persona, and strengthen your pitch. Presented by Erin Srebinski.
Oct 2 – Product-Market Fit
Define your MVP, test assumptions, and identify early signs of traction. Presented by Tex Criqui.
Oct 9 – Competitive Advantage
Map your competition, sharpen your positioning, and find what sets you apart. Presented by Lisa Wendland.
Oct 16 – Marketing & Storytelling
Build your company story and craft messaging that resonates with your audience.
Oct 23 – Go-to-Market Strategy
Learn how to launch, choose your best channels, and build a roadmap to reach customers. Presented by Beth Cavanaugh.
Oct 30 – Sales for Founders
Develop a simple sales process and practice strategies for landing your first customers. Presented by Kirt Manecke.
Nov 6 – The Money Talk
Understand basic financials, create a revenue model, and prepare simple projections. Presented by Erin Srebinski.
Nov 13 – The Ask & Funding Prep
Clarify your funding ask, explore options, and shape your “Ask” slide for investors. Presented by Cameron Young.
Nov 20 – Champions & Allies
Identify advisors, partners, and investors who can help you grow—and how to connect with them.
Dec 4 – Pitch Polish
Refine your deck, tighten your story, and practice for the big event. Presented by Peter Scott.
Dec 11 – Pitch Review
Take the stage to share your pitch with peers, mentors, and the community. Presented by Erin Srebinski.
Tis the Season to Startup
Tis the Season is a high-energy, community-driven event that shines a spotlight on Northwest Lower Michigan entrepreneurs of all kinds — from innovative startups and local makers to service providers and small business owners.
We invite founders, dreamers, and doers at any stage of business to apply for a chance to pitch. Finalists will share their ideas with a live audience — who will cast their votes to decide the winner of $5,000 in funding to help bring their next big step to life.
Breakfast Lab Presenting Partners
Who should attend?
Whether you’ve launched your startup or you are still refining your idea, Breakfast Lab is for you. It’s a relaxed, no-pressure space to brainstorm, ask questions, and gain direction. You’ll leave with actionable insights, new connections, and the clarity to keep moving forward.
Breakfast Lab was designed specifically to support:
- Idea and early-stage startup founders with scalable innovations and technologies
- Entrepreneurs navigating strategic growth or a pivot in their business model
There are no prerequisites to attend Breakfast Lab. All are welcome!
At Breakfast Lab, we use something called a Business Model Canvas to organize your business plan and help you move forward.
If you don’t have one yet, no sweat. You’ll learn to use the Canvas at Breakfast Lab, where we’ll have copies available. You can also:
- Attend a Startup Bootcamp
- Download the instructions and a blank canvas to work through on your own time
Breakfast Lab Supporting Partners
