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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260706T160000
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SUMMARY:Legal Office Hours with Josh Traeger
DESCRIPTION:Get legal guidance from Josh Traeger to launch or manage your business with clarity\, confidence\, and care.\n\n\nLegal Office Hours with True North Legal Group\n20Fathoms is excited to offer monthly Legal Office Hours with Josh Traeger\, Attorney at True North Legal Group\, exclusively for Northern Michigan entrepreneurs and small business owners. \nWhether you’re navigating early-stage questions\, reviewing contracts\, forming an LLC\, protecting your IP\, or just trying to understand what you don’t know yet\, this is your chance to connect with an experienced attorney in a low-pressure\, founder-friendly setting. \nHow It Works\n\nWhen: Second Monday of the month (January–April)\nTime: 4:00pm – 7:00pm\nSession Length: 30–60 minutes\nWhere: 20Fathoms (in person)\n\nThese appointments are first come\, first served. Once you register\, we’ll follow up to confirm your exact meeting time. \nImportant Note\nIf you sign up for a specific month and we’re unable to accommodate you due to demand\, we’ll automatically move your registration to the next month’s Office Hours and notify you as soon as possible. \nWho This Is For\nFounders\, small business owners\, and entrepreneurs who need clarity on topics such as: \n\nBusiness formation + structure\nContracts + compliance\nCorporate governance\nEmployment considerations\nEarly-stage legal strategy\nGeneral small business questions\n\nOffice hours are currently available at no cost\, due to grant funding. Office hours provide general legal guidance and education; they are not a substitute for ongoing legal representation.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/legal-office-hours-with-josh-traeger-19/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260625T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260625T103000
DTSTAMP:20260512T154046Z
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SUMMARY:Investing & Retirement for Entrepreneurs\, a 20Fathoms Breakfast Lab
DESCRIPTION:This Week at Breakfast Lab\nRunning your own business gives you freedom\, but it also means no employer matching your 401(k) or handing you a retirement plan. That part is on you. \nIn this session\, we’ll break down smart investing and retirement strategies built specifically for solo entrepreneurs and LLC owners. You’ll learn how to grow wealth\, reduce your tax burden\, and create reliable income streams\, without needing a traditional employer-sponsored plan to do it. \nWe’ll dig into what investing actually is and the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make early on\, how 401(k) and non-401(k) strategies work\, and when to use each\, the best retirement approaches for business owners at every stage\, and what to do financially when you start hiring and scaling. You’ll leave with a clear path to start building long-term financial security on your own terms. \nAbout the Presenter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJonathan Tanas is a financial consultant at Cambridge Brokers specializing in retirement planning\, tax-free growth\, and tactical investments. With experience spanning insurance\, financial planning\, and retirement solutions\, Jonathan works with clients to grow wealth\, reduce taxes\, and build long-term financial confidence. His mission is simple: help American families protect their money and retire with confidence. \nAbout Breakfast Lab\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBreakfast Lab is a weekly event at 20Fathoms where you’ll get expert guidance to help meet your most pressing startup needs. Connecting you to the right tools and the right people at the right time. \nThese events are held in person and offered virtually. There is no cost to attend. Coffee and a light breakfast are provided. Walk-ins are welcome. \nAnd if you’d like to stay and keep working\, coworking at 20Fathoms is free on Thursdays for Breakfast Lab attendees.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/investing-retirement-for-entrepreneurs-a-20fathoms-breakfast-lab/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
CATEGORIES:Breakfast Lab
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260618T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260618T170000
DTSTAMP:20260323T210504Z
CREATED:20260323T210504Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T210504Z
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SUMMARY:Get Unstuck: 1:1 Business Strategy Sessions with Breneman Advisors
DESCRIPTION:One-on-one sessions with Breneman Advisors are designed to help you think through your business and move forward with confidence.\n\n\nOffice Hours with Breneman Advisors\n20Fathoms is hosting monthly office hours with Breneman Advisors for Northern Michigan entrepreneurs and small business owners. \nIf you’re feeling stuck\, unsure what to prioritize\, or just want a solid path forward\, this is a chance to talk it through with someone who’s been there. \nWhether you’re working through your numbers\, trying to grow\, streamline operations\, or think long-term\, these sessions are designed to give you practical guidance and real clarity. \nHow It Works\n\nWhen: Last Thursday of each month\nTime: 2:30-5:00\nSession Length: 45-60 minutes\nWhere: 20Fathoms (in person)\n\nThese appointments are first come\, first served. \nImportant Note\nIf you sign up for a specific month and we’re unable to accommodate you due to demand\, we’ll automatically move your registration to the next month’s Office Hours and notify you as soon as possible. \nWho This Is For\nFounders\, operators\, and business owners who want support with: \n\nMaking sense of your financials\nImproving operations and saving time\nPlanning for growth or your next move\nUnderstanding your market or customers\nPreparing for funding or investment\nThinking through long-term strategy or exit\n\nOffice hours are currently available at no cost\, due to grant funding.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/get-unstuck-11-business-strategy-sessions-with-breneman-advisors-9/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260618T151500
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260618T160000
DTSTAMP:20260323T210504Z
CREATED:20260323T210504Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T210504Z
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SUMMARY:Get Unstuck: 1:1 Business Strategy Sessions with Breneman Advisors
DESCRIPTION:One-on-one sessions with Breneman Advisors are designed to help you think through your business and move forward with confidence.\n\n\nOffice Hours with Breneman Advisors\n20Fathoms is hosting monthly office hours with Breneman Advisors for Northern Michigan entrepreneurs and small business owners. \nIf you’re feeling stuck\, unsure what to prioritize\, or just want a solid path forward\, this is a chance to talk it through with someone who’s been there. \nWhether you’re working through your numbers\, trying to grow\, streamline operations\, or think long-term\, these sessions are designed to give you practical guidance and real clarity. \nHow It Works\n\nWhen: Last Thursday of each month\nTime: 2:30-5:00\nSession Length: 45-60 minutes\nWhere: 20Fathoms (in person)\n\nThese appointments are first come\, first served. \nImportant Note\nIf you sign up for a specific month and we’re unable to accommodate you due to demand\, we’ll automatically move your registration to the next month’s Office Hours and notify you as soon as possible. \nWho This Is For\nFounders\, operators\, and business owners who want support with: \n\nMaking sense of your financials\nImproving operations and saving time\nPlanning for growth or your next move\nUnderstanding your market or customers\nPreparing for funding or investment\nThinking through long-term strategy or exit\n\nOffice hours are currently available at no cost\, due to grant funding.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/get-unstuck-11-business-strategy-sessions-with-breneman-advisors-8/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260618T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260618T151500
DTSTAMP:20260323T210503Z
CREATED:20260323T210503Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T210503Z
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SUMMARY:Get Unstuck: 1:1 Business Strategy Sessions with Breneman Advisors
DESCRIPTION:One-on-one sessions with Breneman Advisors are designed to help you think through your business and move forward with confidence.\n\n\nOffice Hours with Breneman Advisors\n20Fathoms is hosting monthly office hours with Breneman Advisors for Northern Michigan entrepreneurs and small business owners. \nIf you’re feeling stuck\, unsure what to prioritize\, or just want a solid path forward\, this is a chance to talk it through with someone who’s been there. \nWhether you’re working through your numbers\, trying to grow\, streamline operations\, or think long-term\, these sessions are designed to give you practical guidance and real clarity. \nHow It Works\n\nWhen: Last Thursday of each month\nTime: 2:30-5:00\nSession Length: 45-60 minutes\nWhere: 20Fathoms (in person)\n\nThese appointments are first come\, first served. \nImportant Note\nIf you sign up for a specific month and we’re unable to accommodate you due to demand\, we’ll automatically move your registration to the next month’s Office Hours and notify you as soon as possible. \nWho This Is For\nFounders\, operators\, and business owners who want support with: \n\nMaking sense of your financials\nImproving operations and saving time\nPlanning for growth or your next move\nUnderstanding your market or customers\nPreparing for funding or investment\nThinking through long-term strategy or exit\n\nOffice hours are currently available at no cost\, due to grant funding.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/get-unstuck-11-business-strategy-sessions-with-breneman-advisors-7/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260618T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260618T103000
DTSTAMP:20260512T153028Z
CREATED:20260512T151850Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260512T153028Z
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SUMMARY:The Profit-First Founder's AI Stack: Where to Use AI Before You Have Revenue\, a 20Fathoms Breakfast Lab
DESCRIPTION:This Week at Breakfast Lab\nMost founders treat AI as a productivity hack. Smart founders treat it as a profit lever. \nIn this session\, we’ll walk through where AI actually moves the needle when you’re pre-revenue or early-revenue\, the work it can replace\, the spend it can defer\, and the leverage it creates when you can’t afford to hire. You’ll see live demos of real AI workflows used in building and scaling a business from the ground up. \nWe’ll cover the four highest-ROI places early-stage founders should put AI to work today (and the two places not to)\, live walkthroughs of AI workflows for marketing\, customer research\, financial modeling\, and sales follow-up using tools you already have access to\, and a simple framework for deciding what to automate\, what to outsource\, and what to keep on your own desk. You’ll leave with a practical\, ready-to-use AI stack\, built for the stage you’re actually in. \nAbout the Presenter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nElliot Swift is the founder of Swift Profit Systems\, a profit acceleration advisory firm based in Traverse City. Before SPS\, Elliot spent four years in real estate\, then co-founded and scaled 42 Degrees\, a Michigan manufacturing company\, from $0 to $75 million in revenue over seven years\, building it to 120 employees and holding a 38% gross margin through an 85% wholesale price collapse. That decade of operator experience\, making payroll\, navigating regulators\, and fixing problems on the floor at 2 a.m.\, is the foundation of how Elliot now helps owner-operated businesses find and fix the hidden leaks costing them six and seven figures a year. Today he runs SPS with his wife Monika\, leans heavily on AI to operate lean and find profit for clients\, and is raising two kids\, Natalie and Wyatt\, in Traverse City. \nAbout Breakfast Lab\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBreakfast Lab is a weekly event at 20Fathoms where you’ll get expert guidance to help meet your most pressing startup needs. Connecting you to the right tools and the right people at the right time. \nThese events are held in person and offered virtually. There is no cost to attend. Coffee and a light breakfast are provided. Walk-ins are welcome. \nAnd if you’d like to stay and keep working\, coworking at 20Fathoms is free on Thursdays for Breakfast Lab attendees.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/the-profit-first-founders-ai-stack-where-to-use-ai-before-you-have-revenue-a-20fathoms-breakfast-lab/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
CATEGORIES:Breakfast Lab
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260609T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260609T200000
DTSTAMP:20260316T123856Z
CREATED:20260316T123500Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T123856Z
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SUMMARY:CO.STARTERS Core
DESCRIPTION:Build a Business That Works\nStarting a business can feel overwhelming. CO.STARTERS Core helps you move from ideas and assumptions to real insights about your customers\, your market\, and how your business can work in the real world. \nIn this 12-week cohort-based program\, entrepreneurs work through a structured process designed to help them test their ideas\, talk with customers\, refine their business model\, and build a stronger foundation to go out in the world and grow their business. Each week focuses on a key part of building a business\, from understanding yourself as a founder to validating your customer\, developing the right solution\, and understanding the financial realities of launching a business. \nParticipants will engage in hands-on exercises\, group discussions\, and real-world customer discovery work between sessions. Along the way\, you’ll connect with other founders\, hear from guest entrepreneurs\, and gain practical insights you can apply immediately. \nThe program concludes with a celebration and pitch competition\, where participants share what they’ve built and learned throughout the cohort. \nWhat You’ll Explore During the Program\nOver the course of 12 weeks\, participants will explore topics including: \n\nKnowing yourself as a founder\nUnderstanding your customer\nConducting meaningful customer discovery interviews\nFinding the right solution to customer problems\nBuilding strong relationships with customers\nDeveloping key building blocks of your business\nCreating systems and operational structures\nUnderstanding costs and pricing\nFinancial modeling and the true cost of launching a business\nPlanning for sustainable growth\n\nParticipants will also spend significant time talking with real customers\, gathering feedback\, and refining their ideas between sessions. \nAbout the Facilitators\nErin Srebinski is the Director of Entrepreneurship at 20Fathoms\, where she spends most of her time helping entrepreneurs turn messy ideas into real\, working businesses. She leads programs and initiatives that support founders across Northern Michigan\, connecting them with the tools and people they need to move forward. With a background in human-centered design\, customer experience\, and startup education\, Erin is passionate about helping founders get out of their heads and into the real world. \nLisa Carbonell serves as an Entrepreneur in Residence at 20Fathoms. In this role she is excited to connect with local founders and help them turn chaos into cadence. She is a Certified Scrum Master and Organizational Coach specializing in cultivating authenticity\, transparency\, accountability\, and continuous learning using an Agile framework. She helps individuals and teams achieve their vision\, mission\, and goals. With a master’s education in Applied Behavioral Science and Organizational Development from the Leadership Institute of Seattle\, she blends empathy and expertise\, enabling teams to discover\, promote\, build\, and launch their dreams.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/co-starters-core/2026-06-09/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
CATEGORIES:Bootcamp
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260608T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260608T190000
DTSTAMP:20260514T132410Z
CREATED:20260513T184437Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260514T132410Z
UID:10000976-1780938000-1780945200@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:Startup Idea Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Build your plan in one night\, then pitch the next!\n\n\nYou’ve had the idea. You’ve noodled on it in the shower\, while you’re taking the dog on a walk\, maybe even drafted a note on your phone. But you haven’t done anything with it yet. \nNow is the time! The Startup Idea Workshop is a free\, 2-hour hands-on workshop for technologists and aspiring founders who are ready to stop thinking and start doing. This fast-moving session will take you from raw idea to a live pitch in just one evening. \nNo business background required. No polished slide decks. Just your idea and two hours of focused work. \nWhat You’ll Do\nUsing a simplified startup framework (think: business plan without the fluff)\, you’ll: \n\nDefine your idea — the problem you’re solving\, your solution\, and who would actually pay for it\nPressure test your thinking with structured exercises and real-time feedback\nShape a 2-minute pitch you’ll be ready to deliver the very next night\n\nThis is hands-on\, fast-moving\, and designed to get you unstuck. \nWhat Happens Next\nCompleting the Innovation Sprint gets you a spot on stage at the TCNewTech Bar Napkin Pitch — a public pitch night hosted at a local brewery the following evening (Tuesday\, 5–7pm). You’ll deliver your 2-minute pitch to a live audience competing for a $500 audience-choice prize. \nThe Bar Napkin Pitch is open to the public\, so bring your people! \nWho Should Come\n\nTechnologists with a startup idea they haven’t acted on yet\nBuilders who want to test a concept before investing serious time or money\nEarly-stage founders looking for a fast\, low-stakes way to validate their thinking\nCurious professionals ready to take their first step into entrepreneurship\n\nSpots are limited. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to finally do something with your idea\, here it is! \nAbout 20Fathoms\nBased 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/
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/startup-idea-workshop/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260604T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260604T103000
DTSTAMP:20260428T172303Z
CREATED:20260428T172303Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260428T172303Z
UID:10000933-1780563600-1780569000@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:Understanding Investors: Risk\, Funding\, and What It Takes to Get Funded\, a 20Fathoms Breakfast Lab
DESCRIPTION:This Week at Breakfast Lab\nRaising money for your startup isn’t just about having a great idea; it’s about understanding how investors think. \nIn this session\, we’ll break down the fundamentals of startup investing\, from how investors evaluate risk to what they expect in return. You’ll learn how funding stages work (from seed to exit)\, where different types of capital come from\, and how angels\, venture capitalists\, and corporate investors each approach opportunities differently. \nWe’ll also dig into what actually makes a company investable—what investors look for\, common mistakes founders make when fundraising\, and how to position your business to increase your chances of getting funded. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of the funding landscape and what it takes to navigate it with confidence. \nAbout the Presenter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPeter Scott serves as Startup Technical Advisor at 20Fathoms\, where he works closely with founders to help them start and grow companies\, with a particular focus on supporting those in the local bluetech economy. \nPeter is a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Power 3D\, Grasp Robotics\, and CellDrop Biosciences. With over 20 years of experience across industry and academia\, he has advised 25+ technology startups on strategy\, marketing\, sales\, and finance—helping secure more than $14 million in investment across a range of sectors including energy\, consumer products\, and medical devices. \nAbout Breakfast Lab\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBreakfast Lab is a weekly event at 20Fathoms where you’ll get expert guidance to help meet your most pressing startup needs. Connecting you to the right tools and the right people at the right time. \nThese events are held in person and offered virtually. There is no cost to attend. Coffee and a light breakfast are provided. Walk-ins are welcome. \nAnd if you’d like to stay and keep working\, coworking at 20Fathoms is free on Thursdays for Breakfast Lab attendees.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/understanding-investors-risk-funding-and-what-it-takes-to-get-funded-a-20fathoms-breakfast-lab/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
CATEGORIES:Breakfast Lab
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260603T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260603T190000
DTSTAMP:20260428T205820Z
CREATED:20260408T132621Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260428T205820Z
UID:10000911-1780504200-1780513200@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:Customer Discovery: Find Your Market & Build What Matters
DESCRIPTION:Find Your Market. Build What Matters. Stop Guessing.\nCustomer Discovery at 20Fathoms is designed to help you stop guessing and start building with solid evidence. \nEven the most promising ideas fail when founders confuse what they can build with what the market actually needs. This 5-week cohort gives you a structured\, evidence-driven process to identify real customer demand\, define your beachhead market (the specific group of customers you’ll focus on first)\, and build a business model grounded in reality. Through hands-on work\, real customer conversations\, and expert guidance\, you’ll surface critical risks early. You won’t waste time\, energy\, or runway chasing the wrong opportunity. \nAPPLY HERE!\nWhat you’ll walk away with:\nYour most important customer segment (ie. beachhead market)– Know exactly who you’re building for and where to focus first.\nReal customer insights – Conduct 20–30 structured interviews that reveal true pain points\, decision criteria\, and buying behavior.\nA business model that makes sense – Align your revenue model\, pricing\, and go-to-market strategy with real demand.\nA lower-risk path forward – Test your assumptions early and move ahead with confidence. \nWhat you’ll experience:\nAn evidence-driven approach – Replace assumptions with real data from the market.\nSystematic discovery – Learn a structured process to uncover what customers truly value (not just what you think they value).\nFocused direction – Identify your beachhead market and concentrate your efforts where traction is most achievable.?\nEarly risk reduction – Surface your biggest unknowns early and test them before you scale.\nGuided support – Work alongside experienced facilitators and a cohort of founders doing the same work. \n  \nWorkshop schedule:\n\nSaturday\, May 2 (9am – 4pm) —  Kickoff – In Person @ 20Fathoms\nWeek of May 4 (Flexible appts) — Virtual Office Hours with Julie\nWednesdays: May 13\, May 20\, May 27\, June 3 (4:30 – 7pm) — Virtual Weekly Cohort Sessions\n\nHow the program works:\n5 cohort sessions – Interactive workshops\, working time\, and group discussion over 5 weeks.\n1:1 coaching support – Private sessions to refine your interviews and analyze what you’re learning.\nOn-demand resources – Supplemental content to keep you moving between sessions.\nFinal presentation – Share your insights\, direction\, and next steps with peers and advisors.\nProven methodology – Built on the I-Corps framework used by 3\,000+ ventures nationwide. \nWho this is for:\n*Please note: This is an active\, working cohort. You’ll be expected to talk to customers\, reflect on what you’re learning\, and show up ready to engage. \n\nYou have an idea but aren’t sure who it’s for\nYou’ve started something but aren’t gaining traction\nYou’re tired of guessing and want real answers\nYou’re willing to talk to customers and do the work\n\nAbout the presenter:\nJulie Collins is a deep tech innovation expert and founder of The Opportunity Practice\, where she helps founders and teams answer the critical question: why you\, why now? With over 10\,000 hours of innovation consulting experience\, Julie specializes in guiding entrepreneurs through structured\, evidence-driven customer discovery\, helping them uncover real market needs\, validate opportunities\, and build strategies that actually work. Her approach is grounded in proven frameworks used across thousands of ventures\, particularly in complex and emerging markets\, where understanding the customer and value chain is essential to success. Julie is known for pushing founders past assumptions and into real insight\, so they can build the right business for the right market.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/customer-discovery-find-your-market-build-what-matters/2026-06-03/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
CATEGORIES:Bootcamp
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260602T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260602T200000
DTSTAMP:20260316T123856Z
CREATED:20260316T123500Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T123856Z
UID:10000803-1780419600-1780430400@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:CO.STARTERS Core
DESCRIPTION:Build a Business That Works\nStarting a business can feel overwhelming. CO.STARTERS Core helps you move from ideas and assumptions to real insights about your customers\, your market\, and how your business can work in the real world. \nIn this 12-week cohort-based program\, entrepreneurs work through a structured process designed to help them test their ideas\, talk with customers\, refine their business model\, and build a stronger foundation to go out in the world and grow their business. Each week focuses on a key part of building a business\, from understanding yourself as a founder to validating your customer\, developing the right solution\, and understanding the financial realities of launching a business. \nParticipants will engage in hands-on exercises\, group discussions\, and real-world customer discovery work between sessions. Along the way\, you’ll connect with other founders\, hear from guest entrepreneurs\, and gain practical insights you can apply immediately. \nThe program concludes with a celebration and pitch competition\, where participants share what they’ve built and learned throughout the cohort. \nWhat You’ll Explore During the Program\nOver the course of 12 weeks\, participants will explore topics including: \n\nKnowing yourself as a founder\nUnderstanding your customer\nConducting meaningful customer discovery interviews\nFinding the right solution to customer problems\nBuilding strong relationships with customers\nDeveloping key building blocks of your business\nCreating systems and operational structures\nUnderstanding costs and pricing\nFinancial modeling and the true cost of launching a business\nPlanning for sustainable growth\n\nParticipants will also spend significant time talking with real customers\, gathering feedback\, and refining their ideas between sessions. \nAbout the Facilitators\nErin Srebinski is the Director of Entrepreneurship at 20Fathoms\, where she spends most of her time helping entrepreneurs turn messy ideas into real\, working businesses. She leads programs and initiatives that support founders across Northern Michigan\, connecting them with the tools and people they need to move forward. With a background in human-centered design\, customer experience\, and startup education\, Erin is passionate about helping founders get out of their heads and into the real world. \nLisa Carbonell serves as an Entrepreneur in Residence at 20Fathoms. In this role she is excited to connect with local founders and help them turn chaos into cadence. She is a Certified Scrum Master and Organizational Coach specializing in cultivating authenticity\, transparency\, accountability\, and continuous learning using an Agile framework. She helps individuals and teams achieve their vision\, mission\, and goals. With a master’s education in Applied Behavioral Science and Organizational Development from the Leadership Institute of Seattle\, she blends empathy and expertise\, enabling teams to discover\, promote\, build\, and launch their dreams.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/co-starters-core/2026-06-02/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
CATEGORIES:Bootcamp
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260601T181500
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260601T190000
DTSTAMP:20260417T115041Z
CREATED:20260417T115041Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T115041Z
UID:10000923-1780337700-1780340400@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:Legal Office Hours with Josh Traeger
DESCRIPTION:Get legal guidance from Josh Traeger to launch or manage your business with clarity\, confidence\, and care.\n\n\nLegal Office Hours with True North Legal Group\n20Fathoms is excited to offer monthly Legal Office Hours with Josh Traeger\, Attorney at True North Legal Group\, exclusively for Northern Michigan entrepreneurs and small business owners. \nWhether you’re navigating early-stage questions\, reviewing contracts\, forming an LLC\, protecting your IP\, or just trying to understand what you don’t know yet\, this is your chance to connect with an experienced attorney in a low-pressure\, founder-friendly setting. \nHow It Works\n\nWhen: Second Monday of the month (January–April)\nTime: 4:00pm – 7:00pm\nSession Length: 30–60 minutes\nWhere: 20Fathoms (in person)\n\nThese appointments are first come\, first served. Once you register\, we’ll follow up to confirm your exact meeting time. \nImportant Note\nIf you sign up for a specific month and we’re unable to accommodate you due to demand\, we’ll automatically move your registration to the next month’s Office Hours and notify you as soon as possible. \nWho This Is For\nFounders\, small business owners\, and entrepreneurs who need clarity on topics such as: \n\nBusiness formation + structure\nContracts + compliance\nCorporate governance\nEmployment considerations\nEarly-stage legal strategy\nGeneral small business questions\n\nOffice hours are currently available at no cost\, due to grant funding. Office hours provide general legal guidance and education; they are not a substitute for ongoing legal representation.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/legal-office-hours-with-josh-traeger-18/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://20fathoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/fc02823d66a0a6ccbdc7ebb2c0d23685-jX3qif.tmp_.jpg
GEO:44.7642991;-85.6208613
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260601T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260601T181500
DTSTAMP:20260417T115041Z
CREATED:20260417T115041Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T115041Z
UID:10000922-1780335000-1780337700@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:Legal Office Hours with Josh Traeger
DESCRIPTION:Get legal guidance from Josh Traeger to launch or manage your business with clarity\, confidence\, and care.\n\n\nLegal Office Hours with True North Legal Group\n20Fathoms is excited to offer monthly Legal Office Hours with Josh Traeger\, Attorney at True North Legal Group\, exclusively for Northern Michigan entrepreneurs and small business owners. \nWhether you’re navigating early-stage questions\, reviewing contracts\, forming an LLC\, protecting your IP\, or just trying to understand what you don’t know yet\, this is your chance to connect with an experienced attorney in a low-pressure\, founder-friendly setting. \nHow It Works\n\nWhen: Second Monday of the month (January–April)\nTime: 4:00pm – 7:00pm\nSession Length: 30–60 minutes\nWhere: 20Fathoms (in person)\n\nThese appointments are first come\, first served. Once you register\, we’ll follow up to confirm your exact meeting time. \nImportant Note\nIf you sign up for a specific month and we’re unable to accommodate you due to demand\, we’ll automatically move your registration to the next month’s Office Hours and notify you as soon as possible. \nWho This Is For\nFounders\, small business owners\, and entrepreneurs who need clarity on topics such as: \n\nBusiness formation + structure\nContracts + compliance\nCorporate governance\nEmployment considerations\nEarly-stage legal strategy\nGeneral small business questions\n\nOffice hours are currently available at no cost\, due to grant funding. Office hours provide general legal guidance and education; they are not a substitute for ongoing legal representation.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/legal-office-hours-with-josh-traeger-17/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://20fathoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/fc02823d66a0a6ccbdc7ebb2c0d23685-jX3qif.tmp_.jpg
GEO:44.7642991;-85.6208613
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260601T164500
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260601T173000
DTSTAMP:20260417T115040Z
CREATED:20260417T115040Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T115040Z
UID:10000921-1780332300-1780335000@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:Legal Office Hours with Josh Traeger
DESCRIPTION:Get legal guidance from Josh Traeger to launch or manage your business with clarity\, confidence\, and care.\n\n\nLegal Office Hours with True North Legal Group\n20Fathoms is excited to offer monthly Legal Office Hours with Josh Traeger\, Attorney at True North Legal Group\, exclusively for Northern Michigan entrepreneurs and small business owners. \nWhether you’re navigating early-stage questions\, reviewing contracts\, forming an LLC\, protecting your IP\, or just trying to understand what you don’t know yet\, this is your chance to connect with an experienced attorney in a low-pressure\, founder-friendly setting. \nHow It Works\n\nWhen: Second Monday of the month (January–April)\nTime: 4:00pm – 7:00pm\nSession Length: 30–60 minutes\nWhere: 20Fathoms (in person)\n\nThese appointments are first come\, first served. Once you register\, we’ll follow up to confirm your exact meeting time. \nImportant Note\nIf you sign up for a specific month and we’re unable to accommodate you due to demand\, we’ll automatically move your registration to the next month’s Office Hours and notify you as soon as possible. \nWho This Is For\nFounders\, small business owners\, and entrepreneurs who need clarity on topics such as: \n\nBusiness formation + structure\nContracts + compliance\nCorporate governance\nEmployment considerations\nEarly-stage legal strategy\nGeneral small business questions\n\nOffice hours are currently available at no cost\, due to grant funding. Office hours provide general legal guidance and education; they are not a substitute for ongoing legal representation.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/legal-office-hours-with-josh-traeger-16/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://20fathoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/fc02823d66a0a6ccbdc7ebb2c0d23685-jX3qif.tmp_.jpg
GEO:44.7642991;-85.6208613
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=20Fathoms 10850 E. Traverse Hwy Ste. 4400 Traverse City MI 49684 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400:geo:-85.6208613,44.7642991
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260601T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260601T164500
DTSTAMP:20260417T115040Z
CREATED:20260417T115040Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T115040Z
UID:10000920-1780329600-1780332300@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:Legal Office Hours with Josh Traeger
DESCRIPTION:Get legal guidance from Josh Traeger to launch or manage your business with clarity\, confidence\, and care.\n\n\nLegal Office Hours with True North Legal Group\n20Fathoms is excited to offer monthly Legal Office Hours with Josh Traeger\, Attorney at True North Legal Group\, exclusively for Northern Michigan entrepreneurs and small business owners. \nWhether you’re navigating early-stage questions\, reviewing contracts\, forming an LLC\, protecting your IP\, or just trying to understand what you don’t know yet\, this is your chance to connect with an experienced attorney in a low-pressure\, founder-friendly setting. \nHow It Works\n\nWhen: Second Monday of the month (January–April)\nTime: 4:00pm – 7:00pm\nSession Length: 30–60 minutes\nWhere: 20Fathoms (in person)\n\nThese appointments are first come\, first served. Once you register\, we’ll follow up to confirm your exact meeting time. \nImportant Note\nIf you sign up for a specific month and we’re unable to accommodate you due to demand\, we’ll automatically move your registration to the next month’s Office Hours and notify you as soon as possible. \nWho This Is For\nFounders\, small business owners\, and entrepreneurs who need clarity on topics such as: \n\nBusiness formation + structure\nContracts + compliance\nCorporate governance\nEmployment considerations\nEarly-stage legal strategy\nGeneral small business questions\n\nOffice hours are currently available at no cost\, due to grant funding. Office hours provide general legal guidance and education; they are not a substitute for ongoing legal representation.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/legal-office-hours-with-josh-traeger-15/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://20fathoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/fc02823d66a0a6ccbdc7ebb2c0d23685-jX3qif.tmp_.jpg
GEO:44.7642991;-85.6208613
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260528T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260528T170000
DTSTAMP:20260323T210502Z
CREATED:20260323T210502Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T210502Z
UID:10000864-1779984000-1779987600@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:Get Unstuck: 1:1 Business Strategy Sessions with Breneman Advisors
DESCRIPTION:One-on-one sessions with Breneman Advisors are designed to help you think through your business and move forward with confidence.\n\n\nOffice Hours with Breneman Advisors\n20Fathoms is hosting monthly office hours with Breneman Advisors for Northern Michigan entrepreneurs and small business owners. \nIf you’re feeling stuck\, unsure what to prioritize\, or just want a solid path forward\, this is a chance to talk it through with someone who’s been there. \nWhether you’re working through your numbers\, trying to grow\, streamline operations\, or think long-term\, these sessions are designed to give you practical guidance and real clarity. \nHow It Works\n\nWhen: Last Thursday of each month\nTime: 2:30-5:00\nSession Length: 45-60 minutes\nWhere: 20Fathoms (in person)\n\nThese appointments are first come\, first served. \nImportant Note\nIf you sign up for a specific month and we’re unable to accommodate you due to demand\, we’ll automatically move your registration to the next month’s Office Hours and notify you as soon as possible. \nWho This Is For\nFounders\, operators\, and business owners who want support with: \n\nMaking sense of your financials\nImproving operations and saving time\nPlanning for growth or your next move\nUnderstanding your market or customers\nPreparing for funding or investment\nThinking through long-term strategy or exit\n\nOffice hours are currently available at no cost\, due to grant funding.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/get-unstuck-11-business-strategy-sessions-with-breneman-advisors-6/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://20fathoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/378bdc9cfa1d84c11fbcffa78fa0d95a-qmgAZo.tmp_.jpg
GEO:44.7642991;-85.6208613
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=20Fathoms 10850 E. Traverse Hwy Ste. 4400 Traverse City MI 49684 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400:geo:-85.6208613,44.7642991
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260528T151500
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260528T160000
DTSTAMP:20260323T210502Z
CREATED:20260323T210502Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T210502Z
UID:10000863-1779981300-1779984000@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:Get Unstuck: 1:1 Business Strategy Sessions with Breneman Advisors
DESCRIPTION:One-on-one sessions with Breneman Advisors are designed to help you think through your business and move forward with confidence.\n\n\nOffice Hours with Breneman Advisors\n20Fathoms is hosting monthly office hours with Breneman Advisors for Northern Michigan entrepreneurs and small business owners. \nIf you’re feeling stuck\, unsure what to prioritize\, or just want a solid path forward\, this is a chance to talk it through with someone who’s been there. \nWhether you’re working through your numbers\, trying to grow\, streamline operations\, or think long-term\, these sessions are designed to give you practical guidance and real clarity. \nHow It Works\n\nWhen: Last Thursday of each month\nTime: 2:30-5:00\nSession Length: 45-60 minutes\nWhere: 20Fathoms (in person)\n\nThese appointments are first come\, first served. \nImportant Note\nIf you sign up for a specific month and we’re unable to accommodate you due to demand\, we’ll automatically move your registration to the next month’s Office Hours and notify you as soon as possible. \nWho This Is For\nFounders\, operators\, and business owners who want support with: \n\nMaking sense of your financials\nImproving operations and saving time\nPlanning for growth or your next move\nUnderstanding your market or customers\nPreparing for funding or investment\nThinking through long-term strategy or exit\n\nOffice hours are currently available at no cost\, due to grant funding.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/get-unstuck-11-business-strategy-sessions-with-breneman-advisors-5/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://20fathoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/378bdc9cfa1d84c11fbcffa78fa0d95a-qmgAZo.tmp_.jpg
GEO:44.7642991;-85.6208613
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=20Fathoms 10850 E. Traverse Hwy Ste. 4400 Traverse City MI 49684 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400:geo:-85.6208613,44.7642991
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260528T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260528T170000
DTSTAMP:20260323T210501Z
CREATED:20260323T210501Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T210501Z
UID:10000862-1779978600-1779987600@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:Get Unstuck: 1:1 Business Strategy Sessions with Breneman Advisors
DESCRIPTION:One-on-one sessions with Breneman Advisors are designed to help you think through your business and move forward with confidence.\n\n\nOffice Hours with Breneman Advisors\n20Fathoms is hosting monthly office hours with Breneman Advisors for Northern Michigan entrepreneurs and small business owners. \nIf you’re feeling stuck\, unsure what to prioritize\, or just want a solid path forward\, this is a chance to talk it through with someone who’s been there. \nWhether you’re working through your numbers\, trying to grow\, streamline operations\, or think long-term\, these sessions are designed to give you practical guidance and real clarity. \nHow It Works\n\nWhen: Last Thursday of each month\nTime: 2:30-5:00\nSession Length: 45-60 minutes\nWhere: 20Fathoms (in person)\n\nThese appointments are first come\, first served. \nImportant Note\nIf you sign up for a specific month and we’re unable to accommodate you due to demand\, we’ll automatically move your registration to the next month’s Office Hours and notify you as soon as possible. \nWho This Is For\nFounders\, operators\, and business owners who want support with: \n\nMaking sense of your financials\nImproving operations and saving time\nPlanning for growth or your next move\nUnderstanding your market or customers\nPreparing for funding or investment\nThinking through long-term strategy or exit\n\nOffice hours are currently available at no cost\, due to grant funding.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/get-unstuck-11-business-strategy-sessions-with-breneman-advisors-4/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://20fathoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/378bdc9cfa1d84c11fbcffa78fa0d95a-qmgAZo.tmp_.jpg
GEO:44.7642991;-85.6208613
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=20Fathoms 10850 E. Traverse Hwy Ste. 4400 Traverse City MI 49684 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400:geo:-85.6208613,44.7642991
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260527T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260527T190000
DTSTAMP:20260428T205820Z
CREATED:20260408T132621Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260428T205820Z
UID:10000910-1779899400-1779908400@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:Customer Discovery: Find Your Market & Build What Matters
DESCRIPTION:Find Your Market. Build What Matters. Stop Guessing.\nCustomer Discovery at 20Fathoms is designed to help you stop guessing and start building with solid evidence. \nEven the most promising ideas fail when founders confuse what they can build with what the market actually needs. This 5-week cohort gives you a structured\, evidence-driven process to identify real customer demand\, define your beachhead market (the specific group of customers you’ll focus on first)\, and build a business model grounded in reality. Through hands-on work\, real customer conversations\, and expert guidance\, you’ll surface critical risks early. You won’t waste time\, energy\, or runway chasing the wrong opportunity. \nAPPLY HERE!\nWhat you’ll walk away with:\nYour most important customer segment (ie. beachhead market)– Know exactly who you’re building for and where to focus first.\nReal customer insights – Conduct 20–30 structured interviews that reveal true pain points\, decision criteria\, and buying behavior.\nA business model that makes sense – Align your revenue model\, pricing\, and go-to-market strategy with real demand.\nA lower-risk path forward – Test your assumptions early and move ahead with confidence. \nWhat you’ll experience:\nAn evidence-driven approach – Replace assumptions with real data from the market.\nSystematic discovery – Learn a structured process to uncover what customers truly value (not just what you think they value).\nFocused direction – Identify your beachhead market and concentrate your efforts where traction is most achievable.?\nEarly risk reduction – Surface your biggest unknowns early and test them before you scale.\nGuided support – Work alongside experienced facilitators and a cohort of founders doing the same work. \n  \nWorkshop schedule:\n\nSaturday\, May 2 (9am – 4pm) —  Kickoff – In Person @ 20Fathoms\nWeek of May 4 (Flexible appts) — Virtual Office Hours with Julie\nWednesdays: May 13\, May 20\, May 27\, June 3 (4:30 – 7pm) — Virtual Weekly Cohort Sessions\n\nHow the program works:\n5 cohort sessions – Interactive workshops\, working time\, and group discussion over 5 weeks.\n1:1 coaching support – Private sessions to refine your interviews and analyze what you’re learning.\nOn-demand resources – Supplemental content to keep you moving between sessions.\nFinal presentation – Share your insights\, direction\, and next steps with peers and advisors.\nProven methodology – Built on the I-Corps framework used by 3\,000+ ventures nationwide. \nWho this is for:\n*Please note: This is an active\, working cohort. You’ll be expected to talk to customers\, reflect on what you’re learning\, and show up ready to engage. \n\nYou have an idea but aren’t sure who it’s for\nYou’ve started something but aren’t gaining traction\nYou’re tired of guessing and want real answers\nYou’re willing to talk to customers and do the work\n\nAbout the presenter:\nJulie Collins is a deep tech innovation expert and founder of The Opportunity Practice\, where she helps founders and teams answer the critical question: why you\, why now? With over 10\,000 hours of innovation consulting experience\, Julie specializes in guiding entrepreneurs through structured\, evidence-driven customer discovery\, helping them uncover real market needs\, validate opportunities\, and build strategies that actually work. Her approach is grounded in proven frameworks used across thousands of ventures\, particularly in complex and emerging markets\, where understanding the customer and value chain is essential to success. Julie is known for pushing founders past assumptions and into real insight\, so they can build the right business for the right market.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/customer-discovery-find-your-market-build-what-matters/2026-05-27/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
CATEGORIES:Bootcamp
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260526T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260526T200000
DTSTAMP:20260428T205739Z
CREATED:20260428T190637Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260428T205739Z
UID:10000934-1779818400-1779825600@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:TCNewTech Presents: A Conversation with Zack Urlocker
DESCRIPTION:What AI means for Builders\, Startups\, and Businesses\n\n\nJoin us for an engaging and conversational evening with Zack Urlocker\, accomplished technology executive\, startup leader\, and growth operator who has helped build and scale companies through multiple eras of innovation. \nFrom the rise of SaaS to today’s AI boom\, Zack brings firsthand perspective on what separates hype from lasting opportunity—and how founders\, teams\, and businesses can adapt when technology moves quickly. \nHosted by 20Fathoms\, this event brings together our regional entrepreneurial\, business\, and tech community for a candid conversation with Zack\, along with the chance to build meaningful connections within Northern Michigan’s growing innovation ecosystem. \nWhether you’re building a startup\, leading a company\, exploring new tools\, or simply curious about what AI means in practical terms\, you’ll leave with fresh insight—and likely a new connection or two. \nLight snacks provided; beer and kombucha available. Presentation begins at 6:30 PM. \nAbout the Conversation\nIn this fireside-style chat\, Zack will dive into: \n\nWhat today’s AI wave means in the context of past tech shifts he has experienced firsthand\nLessons learned helping scale high-growth software companies\nHow startups and established businesses can navigate rapid technological change\nWhere AI is already creating real leverage for builders and teams\nHis recent experience “vibe coding” a music-generating app using modern AI tools\nWhere he sees real opportunity—and real hype—in the current AI moment\nWhat founders and operators should focus on as the landscape evolves\n\nWe’ll also open the floor for Q&A and shared discussion. \n\n\nAbout 20Fathoms\nBased 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/
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/tcnewtech-presents-a-conversation-with-zack-urlocker/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://20fathoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/TCNT-6.jpg
GEO:44.7642991;-85.6208613
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=20Fathoms 10850 E. Traverse Hwy Ste. 4400 Traverse City MI 49684 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400:geo:-85.6208613,44.7642991
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260526T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260526T200000
DTSTAMP:20260316T123856Z
CREATED:20260316T123500Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T123856Z
UID:10000802-1779814800-1779825600@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:CO.STARTERS Core
DESCRIPTION:Build a Business That Works\nStarting a business can feel overwhelming. CO.STARTERS Core helps you move from ideas and assumptions to real insights about your customers\, your market\, and how your business can work in the real world. \nIn this 12-week cohort-based program\, entrepreneurs work through a structured process designed to help them test their ideas\, talk with customers\, refine their business model\, and build a stronger foundation to go out in the world and grow their business. Each week focuses on a key part of building a business\, from understanding yourself as a founder to validating your customer\, developing the right solution\, and understanding the financial realities of launching a business. \nParticipants will engage in hands-on exercises\, group discussions\, and real-world customer discovery work between sessions. Along the way\, you’ll connect with other founders\, hear from guest entrepreneurs\, and gain practical insights you can apply immediately. \nThe program concludes with a celebration and pitch competition\, where participants share what they’ve built and learned throughout the cohort. \nWhat You’ll Explore During the Program\nOver the course of 12 weeks\, participants will explore topics including: \n\nKnowing yourself as a founder\nUnderstanding your customer\nConducting meaningful customer discovery interviews\nFinding the right solution to customer problems\nBuilding strong relationships with customers\nDeveloping key building blocks of your business\nCreating systems and operational structures\nUnderstanding costs and pricing\nFinancial modeling and the true cost of launching a business\nPlanning for sustainable growth\n\nParticipants will also spend significant time talking with real customers\, gathering feedback\, and refining their ideas between sessions. \nAbout the Facilitators\nErin Srebinski is the Director of Entrepreneurship at 20Fathoms\, where she spends most of her time helping entrepreneurs turn messy ideas into real\, working businesses. She leads programs and initiatives that support founders across Northern Michigan\, connecting them with the tools and people they need to move forward. With a background in human-centered design\, customer experience\, and startup education\, Erin is passionate about helping founders get out of their heads and into the real world. \nLisa Carbonell serves as an Entrepreneur in Residence at 20Fathoms. In this role she is excited to connect with local founders and help them turn chaos into cadence. She is a Certified Scrum Master and Organizational Coach specializing in cultivating authenticity\, transparency\, accountability\, and continuous learning using an Agile framework. She helps individuals and teams achieve their vision\, mission\, and goals. With a master’s education in Applied Behavioral Science and Organizational Development from the Leadership Institute of Seattle\, she blends empathy and expertise\, enabling teams to discover\, promote\, build\, and launch their dreams.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/co-starters-core/2026-05-26/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
CATEGORIES:Bootcamp
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://20fathoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CO.STARTERS-Core.jpg
GEO:44.7642991;-85.6208613
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260521T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260521T103000
DTSTAMP:20260428T160630Z
CREATED:20260428T160510Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260428T160630Z
UID:10000932-1779354000-1779359400@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:Social Media That Actually Works\, a 20Fathoms Breakfast Lab
DESCRIPTION:This Week at Breakfast Lab\nSocial media can feel like a full-time job… on top of the actual full-time job of running your business. \nIn this session\, we’ll break down the fundamentals of social media so you can approach it with clarity\, purpose\, and a plan. You’ll learn the differences between major platforms\, how to choose the right one for your business\, and what it actually means to show up consistently online (without burning out). \nWe’ll also cover what to post\, how to think about your content strategically\, and how to build a presence that connects with your audience and supports your business goals. You’ll leave with a simple\, actionable foundation you can build on right away. \nAbout the Presenter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSommer Poquette is the founder of Keep it Real Social\, where she helps small businesses show up online with clarity\, confidence\, and authenticity. \nThrough her work\, Sommer supports entrepreneurs in cutting through the noise of social media and focusing on what actually works. She’s known for making social feel approachable and practical\, helping business owners build a presence that reflects who they are while driving real results. \nHer approach is rooted in simplicity\, consistency\, and helping founders feel confident showing up as themselves. \nAbout Breakfast Lab\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBreakfast Lab is a weekly event at 20Fathoms where you’ll get expert guidance to help meet your most pressing startup needs—connecting you to the right tools and the right people at the right time. \nThese events are held in person and offered virtually. There is no cost to attend. Coffee and a light breakfast are provided. Walk-ins are welcome. \nAnd if you’d like to stay and keep working\, coworking at 20Fathoms is free on Thursdays for Breakfast Lab attendees.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/social-media-that-actually-works-a-20fathoms-breakfast-lab/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
CATEGORIES:Breakfast Lab
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260520T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260520T190000
DTSTAMP:20260428T205820Z
CREATED:20260408T132621Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260428T205820Z
UID:10000909-1779294600-1779303600@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:Customer Discovery: Find Your Market & Build What Matters
DESCRIPTION:Find Your Market. Build What Matters. Stop Guessing.\nCustomer Discovery at 20Fathoms is designed to help you stop guessing and start building with solid evidence. \nEven the most promising ideas fail when founders confuse what they can build with what the market actually needs. This 5-week cohort gives you a structured\, evidence-driven process to identify real customer demand\, define your beachhead market (the specific group of customers you’ll focus on first)\, and build a business model grounded in reality. Through hands-on work\, real customer conversations\, and expert guidance\, you’ll surface critical risks early. You won’t waste time\, energy\, or runway chasing the wrong opportunity. \nAPPLY HERE!\nWhat you’ll walk away with:\nYour most important customer segment (ie. beachhead market)– Know exactly who you’re building for and where to focus first.\nReal customer insights – Conduct 20–30 structured interviews that reveal true pain points\, decision criteria\, and buying behavior.\nA business model that makes sense – Align your revenue model\, pricing\, and go-to-market strategy with real demand.\nA lower-risk path forward – Test your assumptions early and move ahead with confidence. \nWhat you’ll experience:\nAn evidence-driven approach – Replace assumptions with real data from the market.\nSystematic discovery – Learn a structured process to uncover what customers truly value (not just what you think they value).\nFocused direction – Identify your beachhead market and concentrate your efforts where traction is most achievable.?\nEarly risk reduction – Surface your biggest unknowns early and test them before you scale.\nGuided support – Work alongside experienced facilitators and a cohort of founders doing the same work. \n  \nWorkshop schedule:\n\nSaturday\, May 2 (9am – 4pm) —  Kickoff – In Person @ 20Fathoms\nWeek of May 4 (Flexible appts) — Virtual Office Hours with Julie\nWednesdays: May 13\, May 20\, May 27\, June 3 (4:30 – 7pm) — Virtual Weekly Cohort Sessions\n\nHow the program works:\n5 cohort sessions – Interactive workshops\, working time\, and group discussion over 5 weeks.\n1:1 coaching support – Private sessions to refine your interviews and analyze what you’re learning.\nOn-demand resources – Supplemental content to keep you moving between sessions.\nFinal presentation – Share your insights\, direction\, and next steps with peers and advisors.\nProven methodology – Built on the I-Corps framework used by 3\,000+ ventures nationwide. \nWho this is for:\n*Please note: This is an active\, working cohort. You’ll be expected to talk to customers\, reflect on what you’re learning\, and show up ready to engage. \n\nYou have an idea but aren’t sure who it’s for\nYou’ve started something but aren’t gaining traction\nYou’re tired of guessing and want real answers\nYou’re willing to talk to customers and do the work\n\nAbout the presenter:\nJulie Collins is a deep tech innovation expert and founder of The Opportunity Practice\, where she helps founders and teams answer the critical question: why you\, why now? With over 10\,000 hours of innovation consulting experience\, Julie specializes in guiding entrepreneurs through structured\, evidence-driven customer discovery\, helping them uncover real market needs\, validate opportunities\, and build strategies that actually work. Her approach is grounded in proven frameworks used across thousands of ventures\, particularly in complex and emerging markets\, where understanding the customer and value chain is essential to success. Julie is known for pushing founders past assumptions and into real insight\, so they can build the right business for the right market.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/customer-discovery-find-your-market-build-what-matters/2026-05-20/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
CATEGORIES:Bootcamp
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://20fathoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/customer-discovery.jpg
GEO:44.7642991;-85.6208613
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=20Fathoms 10850 E. Traverse Hwy Ste. 4400 Traverse City MI 49684 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400:geo:-85.6208613,44.7642991
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260519T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260519T200000
DTSTAMP:20260316T123856Z
CREATED:20260316T123500Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T123856Z
UID:10000801-1779210000-1779220800@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:CO.STARTERS Core
DESCRIPTION:Build a Business That Works\nStarting a business can feel overwhelming. CO.STARTERS Core helps you move from ideas and assumptions to real insights about your customers\, your market\, and how your business can work in the real world. \nIn this 12-week cohort-based program\, entrepreneurs work through a structured process designed to help them test their ideas\, talk with customers\, refine their business model\, and build a stronger foundation to go out in the world and grow their business. Each week focuses on a key part of building a business\, from understanding yourself as a founder to validating your customer\, developing the right solution\, and understanding the financial realities of launching a business. \nParticipants will engage in hands-on exercises\, group discussions\, and real-world customer discovery work between sessions. Along the way\, you’ll connect with other founders\, hear from guest entrepreneurs\, and gain practical insights you can apply immediately. \nThe program concludes with a celebration and pitch competition\, where participants share what they’ve built and learned throughout the cohort. \nWhat You’ll Explore During the Program\nOver the course of 12 weeks\, participants will explore topics including: \n\nKnowing yourself as a founder\nUnderstanding your customer\nConducting meaningful customer discovery interviews\nFinding the right solution to customer problems\nBuilding strong relationships with customers\nDeveloping key building blocks of your business\nCreating systems and operational structures\nUnderstanding costs and pricing\nFinancial modeling and the true cost of launching a business\nPlanning for sustainable growth\n\nParticipants will also spend significant time talking with real customers\, gathering feedback\, and refining their ideas between sessions. \nAbout the Facilitators\nErin Srebinski is the Director of Entrepreneurship at 20Fathoms\, where she spends most of her time helping entrepreneurs turn messy ideas into real\, working businesses. She leads programs and initiatives that support founders across Northern Michigan\, connecting them with the tools and people they need to move forward. With a background in human-centered design\, customer experience\, and startup education\, Erin is passionate about helping founders get out of their heads and into the real world. \nLisa Carbonell serves as an Entrepreneur in Residence at 20Fathoms. In this role she is excited to connect with local founders and help them turn chaos into cadence. She is a Certified Scrum Master and Organizational Coach specializing in cultivating authenticity\, transparency\, accountability\, and continuous learning using an Agile framework. She helps individuals and teams achieve their vision\, mission\, and goals. With a master’s education in Applied Behavioral Science and Organizational Development from the Leadership Institute of Seattle\, she blends empathy and expertise\, enabling teams to discover\, promote\, build\, and launch their dreams.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/co-starters-core/2026-05-19/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
CATEGORIES:Bootcamp
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://20fathoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CO.STARTERS-Core.jpg
GEO:44.7642991;-85.6208613
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=20Fathoms 10850 E. Traverse Hwy Ste. 4400 Traverse City MI 49684 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400:geo:-85.6208613,44.7642991
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260518T181500
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260518T190000
DTSTAMP:20260417T115039Z
CREATED:20260417T115039Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T115039Z
UID:10000919-1779128100-1779130800@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:Legal Office Hours with Josh Traeger
DESCRIPTION:Get legal guidance from Josh Traeger to launch or manage your business with clarity\, confidence\, and care.\n\n\nLegal Office Hours with True North Legal Group\n20Fathoms is excited to offer monthly Legal Office Hours with Josh Traeger\, Attorney at True North Legal Group\, exclusively for Northern Michigan entrepreneurs and small business owners. \nWhether you’re navigating early-stage questions\, reviewing contracts\, forming an LLC\, protecting your IP\, or just trying to understand what you don’t know yet\, this is your chance to connect with an experienced attorney in a low-pressure\, founder-friendly setting. \nHow It Works\n\nWhen: Second Monday of the month (January–April)\nTime: 4:00pm – 7:00pm\nSession Length: 30–60 minutes\nWhere: 20Fathoms (in person)\n\nThese appointments are first come\, first served. Once you register\, we’ll follow up to confirm your exact meeting time. \nImportant Note\nIf you sign up for a specific month and we’re unable to accommodate you due to demand\, we’ll automatically move your registration to the next month’s Office Hours and notify you as soon as possible. \nWho This Is For\nFounders\, small business owners\, and entrepreneurs who need clarity on topics such as: \n\nBusiness formation + structure\nContracts + compliance\nCorporate governance\nEmployment considerations\nEarly-stage legal strategy\nGeneral small business questions\n\nOffice hours are currently available at no cost\, due to grant funding. Office hours provide general legal guidance and education; they are not a substitute for ongoing legal representation.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/legal-office-hours-with-josh-traeger-14/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://20fathoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/fc02823d66a0a6ccbdc7ebb2c0d23685-jX3qif.tmp_.jpg
GEO:44.7642991;-85.6208613
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260518T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260518T181500
DTSTAMP:20260417T115038Z
CREATED:20260417T115038Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T115038Z
UID:10000918-1779125400-1779128100@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:Legal Office Hours with Josh Traeger
DESCRIPTION:Get legal guidance from Josh Traeger to launch or manage your business with clarity\, confidence\, and care.\n\n\nLegal Office Hours with True North Legal Group\n20Fathoms is excited to offer monthly Legal Office Hours with Josh Traeger\, Attorney at True North Legal Group\, exclusively for Northern Michigan entrepreneurs and small business owners. \nWhether you’re navigating early-stage questions\, reviewing contracts\, forming an LLC\, protecting your IP\, or just trying to understand what you don’t know yet\, this is your chance to connect with an experienced attorney in a low-pressure\, founder-friendly setting. \nHow It Works\n\nWhen: Second Monday of the month (January–April)\nTime: 4:00pm – 7:00pm\nSession Length: 30–60 minutes\nWhere: 20Fathoms (in person)\n\nThese appointments are first come\, first served. Once you register\, we’ll follow up to confirm your exact meeting time. \nImportant Note\nIf you sign up for a specific month and we’re unable to accommodate you due to demand\, we’ll automatically move your registration to the next month’s Office Hours and notify you as soon as possible. \nWho This Is For\nFounders\, small business owners\, and entrepreneurs who need clarity on topics such as: \n\nBusiness formation + structure\nContracts + compliance\nCorporate governance\nEmployment considerations\nEarly-stage legal strategy\nGeneral small business questions\n\nOffice hours are currently available at no cost\, due to grant funding. Office hours provide general legal guidance and education; they are not a substitute for ongoing legal representation.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/legal-office-hours-with-josh-traeger-13/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://20fathoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/fc02823d66a0a6ccbdc7ebb2c0d23685-jX3qif.tmp_.jpg
GEO:44.7642991;-85.6208613
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260518T164500
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260518T173000
DTSTAMP:20260417T115036Z
CREATED:20260417T115036Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T115036Z
UID:10000917-1779122700-1779125400@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:Legal Office Hours with Josh Traeger
DESCRIPTION:Get legal guidance from Josh Traeger to launch or manage your business with clarity\, confidence\, and care.\n\n\nLegal Office Hours with True North Legal Group\n20Fathoms is excited to offer monthly Legal Office Hours with Josh Traeger\, Attorney at True North Legal Group\, exclusively for Northern Michigan entrepreneurs and small business owners. \nWhether you’re navigating early-stage questions\, reviewing contracts\, forming an LLC\, protecting your IP\, or just trying to understand what you don’t know yet\, this is your chance to connect with an experienced attorney in a low-pressure\, founder-friendly setting. \nHow It Works\n\nWhen: Second Monday of the month (January–April)\nTime: 4:00pm – 7:00pm\nSession Length: 30–60 minutes\nWhere: 20Fathoms (in person)\n\nThese appointments are first come\, first served. Once you register\, we’ll follow up to confirm your exact meeting time. \nImportant Note\nIf you sign up for a specific month and we’re unable to accommodate you due to demand\, we’ll automatically move your registration to the next month’s Office Hours and notify you as soon as possible. \nWho This Is For\nFounders\, small business owners\, and entrepreneurs who need clarity on topics such as: \n\nBusiness formation + structure\nContracts + compliance\nCorporate governance\nEmployment considerations\nEarly-stage legal strategy\nGeneral small business questions\n\nOffice hours are currently available at no cost\, due to grant funding. Office hours provide general legal guidance and education; they are not a substitute for ongoing legal representation.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/legal-office-hours-with-josh-traeger-12/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://20fathoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/fc02823d66a0a6ccbdc7ebb2c0d23685-jX3qif.tmp_.jpg
GEO:44.7642991;-85.6208613
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=20Fathoms 10850 E. Traverse Hwy Ste. 4400 Traverse City MI 49684 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400:geo:-85.6208613,44.7642991
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260518T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260518T164500
DTSTAMP:20260417T115035Z
CREATED:20260417T115035Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T115035Z
UID:10000916-1779120000-1779122700@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:Legal Office Hours with Josh Traeger
DESCRIPTION:Get legal guidance from Josh Traeger to launch or manage your business with clarity\, confidence\, and care.\n\n\nLegal Office Hours with True North Legal Group\n20Fathoms is excited to offer monthly Legal Office Hours with Josh Traeger\, Attorney at True North Legal Group\, exclusively for Northern Michigan entrepreneurs and small business owners. \nWhether you’re navigating early-stage questions\, reviewing contracts\, forming an LLC\, protecting your IP\, or just trying to understand what you don’t know yet\, this is your chance to connect with an experienced attorney in a low-pressure\, founder-friendly setting. \nHow It Works\n\nWhen: Second Monday of the month (January–April)\nTime: 4:00pm – 7:00pm\nSession Length: 30–60 minutes\nWhere: 20Fathoms (in person)\n\nThese appointments are first come\, first served. Once you register\, we’ll follow up to confirm your exact meeting time. \nImportant Note\nIf you sign up for a specific month and we’re unable to accommodate you due to demand\, we’ll automatically move your registration to the next month’s Office Hours and notify you as soon as possible. \nWho This Is For\nFounders\, small business owners\, and entrepreneurs who need clarity on topics such as: \n\nBusiness formation + structure\nContracts + compliance\nCorporate governance\nEmployment considerations\nEarly-stage legal strategy\nGeneral small business questions\n\nOffice hours are currently available at no cost\, due to grant funding. Office hours provide general legal guidance and education; they are not a substitute for ongoing legal representation.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/legal-office-hours-with-josh-traeger-11/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://20fathoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/fc02823d66a0a6ccbdc7ebb2c0d23685-jX3qif.tmp_.jpg
GEO:44.7642991;-85.6208613
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=20Fathoms 10850 E. Traverse Hwy Ste. 4400 Traverse City MI 49684 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400:geo:-85.6208613,44.7642991
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260514T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260514T103000
DTSTAMP:20260413T191128Z
CREATED:20260413T191128Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T191128Z
UID:10000913-1778749200-1778754600@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:Build a Podcast That Grows Your Business\, a 20Fathoms Breakfast Lab
DESCRIPTION:This Week at Breakfast Lab\nStarting a podcast is easy. Building one that actually grows your business? That’s a different story. \nIn this session\, we’ll break down how to launch (or refine) a podcast to build your authority\, expand your reach\, and create meaningful connections. We’ll cover how to position your podcast strategically\, structure episodes for clarity and engagement\, and avoid the common traps that lead to inconsistent results. \nYou’ll also learn how to keep your setup simple\, repurpose your content for more visibility\, and use your podcast as a tool for building relationships\, not just broadcasting ideas. You’ll leave with a clear framework and next steps to create a podcast that actually supports your business growth. \nAbout the Presenter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRose Odette is a serial entrepreneur\, CEO\, and host of the Bullish on Business Podcast\, where she shares bold insights on building and scaling businesses. Through her work\, she helps founders move beyond passive learning and into real execution. \nAs the founder of Awake Technologies Corporation\, Rose works with entrepreneurs to build platforms that lift them up and help create meaningful business opportunities. Her approach is helps founders think bigger\, act faster\, and build businesses that actually gain traction. \nShe’s passionate about helping entrepreneurs stop playing small and show up with clarity\, confidence\, and a strategy that works. \n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Breakfast Lab\n\n\n\nBreakfast Lab is a weekly event at 20Fathoms where you’ll get expert guidance to help meet your most pressing startup needs\, providing access to the right tools and the right people at the right time. \nThese events are held in person and will be offered virtually. There is no cost to attend. Coffee and a light breakfast are provided. Walk-ins are welcome. \nAnd if you’d like to stay and keep working\, coworking at 20Fathoms is free on Thursdays for Breakfast Lab attendees.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/build-a-podcast-that-grows-your-business-a-20fathoms-breakfast-lab/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
CATEGORIES:Breakfast Lab
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260513T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260513T190000
DTSTAMP:20260428T205820Z
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UID:10000879-1778689800-1778698800@20fathoms.org
SUMMARY:Customer Discovery: Find Your Market & Build What Matters
DESCRIPTION:Find Your Market. Build What Matters. Stop Guessing.\nCustomer Discovery at 20Fathoms is designed to help you stop guessing and start building with solid evidence. \nEven the most promising ideas fail when founders confuse what they can build with what the market actually needs. This 5-week cohort gives you a structured\, evidence-driven process to identify real customer demand\, define your beachhead market (the specific group of customers you’ll focus on first)\, and build a business model grounded in reality. Through hands-on work\, real customer conversations\, and expert guidance\, you’ll surface critical risks early. You won’t waste time\, energy\, or runway chasing the wrong opportunity. \nAPPLY HERE!\nWhat you’ll walk away with:\nYour most important customer segment (ie. beachhead market)– Know exactly who you’re building for and where to focus first.\nReal customer insights – Conduct 20–30 structured interviews that reveal true pain points\, decision criteria\, and buying behavior.\nA business model that makes sense – Align your revenue model\, pricing\, and go-to-market strategy with real demand.\nA lower-risk path forward – Test your assumptions early and move ahead with confidence. \nWhat you’ll experience:\nAn evidence-driven approach – Replace assumptions with real data from the market.\nSystematic discovery – Learn a structured process to uncover what customers truly value (not just what you think they value).\nFocused direction – Identify your beachhead market and concentrate your efforts where traction is most achievable.?\nEarly risk reduction – Surface your biggest unknowns early and test them before you scale.\nGuided support – Work alongside experienced facilitators and a cohort of founders doing the same work. \n  \nWorkshop schedule:\n\nSaturday\, May 2 (9am – 4pm) —  Kickoff – In Person @ 20Fathoms\nWeek of May 4 (Flexible appts) — Virtual Office Hours with Julie\nWednesdays: May 13\, May 20\, May 27\, June 3 (4:30 – 7pm) — Virtual Weekly Cohort Sessions\n\nHow the program works:\n5 cohort sessions – Interactive workshops\, working time\, and group discussion over 5 weeks.\n1:1 coaching support – Private sessions to refine your interviews and analyze what you’re learning.\nOn-demand resources – Supplemental content to keep you moving between sessions.\nFinal presentation – Share your insights\, direction\, and next steps with peers and advisors.\nProven methodology – Built on the I-Corps framework used by 3\,000+ ventures nationwide. \nWho this is for:\n*Please note: This is an active\, working cohort. You’ll be expected to talk to customers\, reflect on what you’re learning\, and show up ready to engage. \n\nYou have an idea but aren’t sure who it’s for\nYou’ve started something but aren’t gaining traction\nYou’re tired of guessing and want real answers\nYou’re willing to talk to customers and do the work\n\nAbout the presenter:\nJulie Collins is a deep tech innovation expert and founder of The Opportunity Practice\, where she helps founders and teams answer the critical question: why you\, why now? With over 10\,000 hours of innovation consulting experience\, Julie specializes in guiding entrepreneurs through structured\, evidence-driven customer discovery\, helping them uncover real market needs\, validate opportunities\, and build strategies that actually work. Her approach is grounded in proven frameworks used across thousands of ventures\, particularly in complex and emerging markets\, where understanding the customer and value chain is essential to success. Julie is known for pushing founders past assumptions and into real insight\, so they can build the right business for the right market.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/customer-discovery-find-your-market-build-what-matters/2026-05-13/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
CATEGORIES:Bootcamp
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