B-Start

Bloomington's Only Pre-Accelerator For Startups and Entrepreneurs in Monroe County created by @BloomingtonEDC.

[B-Start @btownstart]

Meet our mentors!

Over the next few days, be on the look out for tweets introducing our 2020 mentors. We are so thankful they are taking the time to participate and to share their entrepreneurial experience with our 2020-2021 cohort!

[B-Start @btownstart]

Way to go, @DrBritainwho!! We are so excited for you and @ShuffleMe_app. B-Start will always cheer you on!

[The Mill @dimension_mill]

The results are in, and the judges have spoken!!
@ShuffleMe_app is the winner of the 2020 Spark Business Plan Competition and $2,500!!!

Congrats to @DrBritainwho and special thanks to @DukeEnergy for being our spotlight sponsor.

[B-Start @btownstart]

@ShuffleMe_app won and Reezy placed third in the @dimension_mill's Spark Business Plan Competition!

https://t.co/wNcKlPuJJF

🎉🎉

We're so proud of our B-Starters

[B-Start @btownstart]

Love to see the success of our B-Starters!

Shout out to current participants, @ShuffleMe_app, Reezy, and Deep Word for landing @ElevateIN funding! @BlueprintStats, last year's 2nd place winner, also received funding!

https://t.co/VvROnpnPod

[B-Start @btownstart]

Take part in the @dimension_mill's Spark Business Plan Competition!

Your business plan should include:
● a 5-minute pitch video
● an executive summary
● a slide deck

Submit by December 4 to compete for a chance at $2500.

More info here: https://t.co/OF2M6Q1OEP

[B-Start @btownstart]

Mohammed M. Mahdi is co-founder/owner of @TheMadOpt, a bodycare company, that was featured on Shark Tank!

This is Mohammed's first time as a B-Start mentor and we are thrilled to have him.

[B-Start @btownstart]

@CyMegnin, the @ElevateIN/@VelocitiesIN Entrepreneur-in-Residence at @dimension_mill is taking on the role of B-Start mentor!

Cy is a first year mentor, but a seasoned entrepreneur. He is especially skilled at preparing startups for pitch competitions.

Welcome Cy!

[B-Start @btownstart]

Shaun McDermott is CFO of Cornerstone Information Systems (@ciswired), a company specializing in tech for the travel industry.

Shaun is a returning B-Start mentor with expertise in finance and software technology business development.

Welcome back, Shaun!

[B-Start @btownstart]

Ben Swanson is co-founder of Secretly Group, home to independent record labels like @secretlycndian, along with music publishing and label distribution. Notable artists include Bon Iver and Phoebe Bridgers.

Ben is returning as a B-Start mentor. Let's rock!

[B-Start @btownstart]

Geng Wang is Cofounder/CEO of @CivicChamps, a volunteer management platform company. He is also a successful entrepreneur, with experience in startup programs and pitch competitions, like TechStars.

B-Start is happy Geng will be working with our startups again as a mentor!

[B-Start @btownstart]

Sheryl Woodhouse is a returning B-Start mentor from @rpsmusic with more than 2 decades of leadership and problem solving experience in a wide range of settings. We are so happy to have her back with us!

[B-Start @btownstart]

A great opportunity for B-Start alumni and entrepreneurs in Monroe County!

[Velocities IN @VelocitiesIN]

We're excited to announce the launch of our new pitch competition: #PitchVelocities! Pitch Velocities is a monthly, informal pitch competition startups participate in to practice, receive feedback and have fun. Find out more and register to watch here ↓↓ https://t.co/0yl2e8oRNc

[B-Start @btownstart]

Andy Lehman is a new B-Start mentor this year, but not unfamiliar with the program. He is Head of Accelerator Programming at @dimension_mill and before that was Head of Innovation at @theheraldtimes where he started @BTownBox.

We are super excited Andy is joining us this year!

[B-Start @btownstart]

Mike Trotzke is CEO of Cheddar (@get_cheddar), the company bringing innovation to billing software.

Mike is a returning B-Start mentor with years of experience and expertise in entrepreneurship and technology to share with the cohort.

Glad to have you back, Mike!

[B-Start @btownstart]

Jane Kupersmith is the Assistant Director of Small Business Development for @citybloomington and is co-owner of Hopscotch Coffee and Rainbow Bakery.

Jane is a new mentor this year and we are thrilled for her to share her knowledge of what makes small businesses successful!

[B-Start @btownstart]

First up: Chris Martoglio

Chris is a returning B-Start mentor and Co-Founder/COO of @blueburro. He brings decades of experience as a leader in the field of procurement and contracting software. B-Start is grateful for his expertise and the time he dedicates to our program.

[B-Start @btownstart]

Want to improve your pitch skills? Check out @ElevateIN's Pitch Strong webinar on October 20 at 2pm and learn something new!

Register: https://t.co/QH7q7LnywU

[B-Start @btownstart]

Cheers to @TheShoeboxIU for maintaining the enthusiasm around their entrepreneurial courses and programs even in virtual settings.

https://t.co/ZnEppS1Mku

[B-Start @btownstart]

The @VelocitiesIN Crossroads Pitch Competition Finals are October 7 at 1pm with the winner receiving $5,000!

Register to watch this free event: https://t.co/io8vhJdXhD

[B-Start @btownstart]

Thank you to everyone who applied to B-Start!

Applications closed yesterday at 5pm. We will review them and let those selected know of their acceptance by October 9.

Looking forward to another year of B-Start 💡