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.

You’ll find a community of support at each Breakfast Lab. Meet other entrepreneurs and build lasting peer connections as you build your businesses together.

Breakfast Lab is held in-person weekly, and they are free to attend. Walk-ins are welcome. Coffee and light breakfast snacks available.

View the calendar

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

With the exception of Startup Business Model Kick-off, you should have a completed Lean Business Model Canvas prior to attending Breakfast Lab. If you don’t have one yet, here are some options to help you get started:

Attend the Startup Business Model Kick-off Breakfast Lab on Jan. 9
Attend a Startup Bootcamp
Download the instructions and a blank canvas to work through on your own time

Breakfast Lab Breakdown: EVERY THURSDAY

See our calendar for upcoming dates, topics, and experts.

Brittany teaching Design Thinking at 20Fathoms

Startup Workshop (9 – 10:30 am)

Workshops to meet you where you are in developing your business model.

Note: You need to have your business model canvas outlined to benefit from these workshops. Don’t have a canvas yet? No sweat – join a Business Model Kick-off or Startup Bootcamp to get started.

View the calendar

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.

Learn about coaching

Bonus: Coworking Space Day Pass

Attend Breakfast Lab and you can enjoy the rest of the day working at our coworking space – on us! Participants will receive a free same-day pass so you can continue your work and collaboration at our vibrant coworking space overlooking Grand Traverse Bay.

Coworking space details

Topics

Each week we’ll focus on one particular topic. Attend only the ones most relevant to you, or attend them all — it’s up to you. Each topic will be offered on a rotational basis, and you’re welcome to attend as often as you’d like to continue to refine your work.

Customer Discovery

Learn how to identify and deeply understand your target customers. This session focuses on gathering insights, testing assumptions, and ensuring your business idea addresses real customer needs. Presenter: Erin Srebinski.

Marketing & Sales

Craft compelling marketing strategies and messaging that resonate with your audience. Discover channels and tools to effectively reach and engage your target market. Presenter: Kristina Schnepf.

Cost, Revenue & Financial Modeling

Break down your startup’s costs, revenue streams, and key financial metrics. Learn how to build a simple financial model to guide decisions and attract investors. Presenter: Beth Melcher.

MVP / Product-Market Fit

Define your Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and develop a plan to test and refine it. Focus on prototyping, gathering feedback, and iterating toward product-market fit. Presenter: Brittany VanderBeek.

Fundraising

Explore funding options for your startup, from bootstrapping to venture capital. Gain insights on creating a funding plan and what you need to pitch your business to potential investors. Presenter: Cameron Young.

Storytelling & Pitching

Master the art of storytelling to pitch your business effectively. Practice building a clear, engaging narrative that connects with investors, partners, and customers. Presenter: Delaney Keating.