Together with a panel of experts with backgrounds across the funding and startup world, both sides of the local startup scene, small business owners and investors, came together to connect opportunities to access capital and invest in local businesses at the first Economic Strategy Session. We were very pleased to bring this event series back in person at DELAMAR Traverse City to allow for networking to facilitate convergence and collisions between our small business owners, entrepreneurs, and the region’s stakeholders, legislators, and legacy business owners.
One of the biggest challenges facing small business owners and entrepreneurs has been and continues to be the inability to access sufficient credit and capital. Our speakers presented their various perspectives and expertise related to funding and investing in local businesses. Bill Myers with Promethient shared his story as a startup in northern Michigan going through the early stages of funding and growth. Kate Redman with Commongrounds Coop illuminated the new and innovative community-based strategies of investment crowdfunding. Jody Trietch with Northern Michigan Angels and Boomerang Catapult walked us through what investors are looking for in startups and what these relationships can provide. Finally, Sid Van Slyke with West Shore Bank spoke to commercial lending trends and opportunities for small businesses. Thank you again for this wealth of knowledge.
We are very pleased to see the various pieces of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Grand Traverse Region continue to grow and work together. As Kelly Ignace with TCNewTech put it, “[Promethient] is a poster child for what is possible here.” We cannot wait to see what’s next!
About the Economic Strategy Sessions:
The Economic Strategy Sessions are an initiative by Traverse Connect to engage high-level investors, community leaders, and business owners with the key pillars of our region’s economic development strategy, and to provide clear and transparent leadership and guidelines for the growth of our region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Held three times annually, the 2022 Economic Strategy Session event series is focused on Business Bootcamp resources. These presentations and discussion forums are for anyone that wants to gain insight into particular areas of concern that affect multiple industries, such as accessing capital and funding growing businesses, family-business succession planning, supplier/vendor relations, and talent acquisition.
We would like to extend a special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Supporting Sponsor Munson Healthcare as well as our event co-hosts 20Fathoms and TCNewTech.
