Momentum

Momentum kicks off 2011 program, reaches out to universities

Momentum kicks off 2011 program, reaches out to universities

By Olivia Pulsinelli | Business Review West Michigan

As it enters its third annual summer “boot camp” program, Momentum continues to try new things.

This year, the Grand Rapids-based seed accelerator will partner with a limited number of colleges and universities to give students real-life exposure to the world of entrepreneurism.

“It’s a real test for us because we haven’t done anything like that before,” Executive Director Bill Holsinger-Robinson said. “I think it’s going to expose those students to some really interesting situations and information and really frame what they’re learning in the classroom very differently.”

Students from partner schools will participate in Momentum’s weekly entrepreneurial workshops, speaker dinners and networking events, as well as other events throughout the summer.

“The idea came from wanting to have a deeper connection within the universities because we don’t necessarily have natural connections to a research university in town,” Holsinger-Robinson said.

For the partnership’s inaugural year, Momentum reached out to a limited number of colleges and universities to gauge their interest. They all signed up.

Read More...

Momentum to stage Michigan Lean Startup Conference in Grand Rapids

MIBiz
April 11, 2011

GRAND RAPIDS – Grand Rapids based seed accelerator Momentum, kicks off its 2011 program with The Michigan Lean Startup Conference. “Lean Startup” is a set of methods to rapidly prototype new business models, test market assumptions much faster and generally “reduce waste.” The conference takes place May 19, 2011 at Grand Valley State University’s Eberhard Center.

“We want to introduce Michigan’s entrepreneurs, investors and educators to a more efficient way of proving out new businesses,” said Bill Holsinger-Robinson, director of Momentum. “The speed at which we can know a business’ viability has accelerated, and traditional launch plans waste time and money.”

Eric Ries is creator of the Lean Startup Methodology and keynote speaker. Other speakers at the Lean Startup Conference include Dan Martell of (Strategies for Fast Growth Entrepreneurs), Rob Walling (Start Small, Stay Small: A Developer’s Guide to Launching a Startup), Patrick Vlaskovits and Brant Cooper (The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Customer Development). A Founder’s Panel and an Investor/Legal Panel will share insight on what it takes to build a successful lean startup.

“The Lean Startup is a disciplined approach to building companies that matter,” said Ries. “It’s designed to dramatically reduce the risk associated with bringing a new product to market by building the company from the ground up for rapid iteration and learning. It requires dramatically less capital than older models, and can find profitability sooner.”

Read More...

Momentum focuses on agile entrepreneurism for 2011

By Olivia Pulsinelli | Business Review West Michigan

As Momentum enters its third funding cycle, the Grand Rapids-based seed accelerator is making some changes that should benefit the companies it selects for its 2011 program.

“Every year we really try to figure out how we can keep building upon what we’ve learned, improving our programming, ultimately improving the outcomes and the success probabilities for the companies,” said Amanda Chocko, Momentum’s program director.

Launched in 2009, Momentum invites five Internet-technology startups to participate in its 12-week summer bootcamp each year. Each team receives $20,000, mentorship and other programming to help them develop a prototype, business plan and investor pitch.

This year’s program — applications for which are due Feb. 5 and which begins May 9 — will incorporate lean startup methodologies. This process, which has been growing in popularity with entrepreneurs the past few years, “uses agile development in tandem with customer development to test market assumptions,” according to Momentum.

Read More...

Momentum Business Accelerator Taking Applications For 2011 Program

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Momentum Business Accelerator Taking Applications For 2011 Program

GRAND RAPIDS – If you’d have a great web-based technology business idea, and you’d like to live in West Michigan for 12 weeks this summer, than the Momentum business accelerator program may be what you’re looking for. You can apply now for the 2011 program. Momentum is open to any entrepreneur in Michigan or beyond.

Each year Momentum invites five companies to participate in a 12-week summer bootcamp where they make initial investments of $20,000 and help them to build a functional prototype, test customer adoption, refine their business models and build a repeatable sales process. The program ends with a Demo Day where the companies get to demonstrate their wares to investors and people who can help take the companies to the next level. Momentum takes an 8 percent equity stake in each portfolio company.

Read More...

Seeking Developers who get Geeked about Startups

Are you a developer who has a passion for building cool things, the resourcefulness to do lots with little, and the ambition to create a new company? If so, join the community of developers who are interested in joining a Momentum 2011 start-up team!

Momentum is a Grand Rapids based venture incubator that provides seed investments, intellectual capital, and extensive mentorship to internet technology start-ups. Each year we invite 5 start-up teams into a 12 week program where we make an initial investment ($20k); help you to build a functional prototype, test customer adoption, work on pricing, distribution, messaging, and begin build a repeatable sales process. Your team will then have the opportunity to be selected to enter Momentum Phase 2 where you can receive up to $300K in additional capital and resources.

Read More...

Social media site adds flair to energy savings

Thursday, December 02, 2010
Olivia Pulsinelli | Business Review West Michigan

Rajesh Nerlikar wants people to proudly show off their flair for sustainability.

Nerlikar and Mary Lemmer launched Energy Flair this fall, the first effort of TerraPerks, a company the two recent University of Michigan grads formed as part of Momentum’s 2010 program.

Energy Flair combines the growing interest in eco-friendly efforts with the sharing capabilities of social media. The website lets users post digital buttons to their Facebook pages and tweet their energy-efficiency accomplishments via Twitter.

Read More...

Energy Flair has officially Launched!

Read More...

JaiPlace.com Launch – Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Grand Rapids, MI – July 20, 2010 – The new JaiPlace.com is preparing to launch after many weeks of development. JaiPlace, created early this year by Jess Tomaz and Al Tomaz, is an interactive web-experience for consumers interested in personal and planetary wellness. The company is a finalist for the Innovation Michigan Award and was selected as a participant for the 2010 Momentum Michigan program created by visionary Rick DeVos.

JaiPlace’s mission is to simplify the road to healthy and sustainable living for all. JaiPlace.com provides education and networking, along with authentic green and wellness products all in the context of a supportive community. “Our passion is inspiring and empowering people to reach their goals for optimum living,” says JaiPlace CEO Jess Tomaz.

This is the first website of its kind to have a Grand Rapids focus, including a local business directory and events calendar covering all areas of conscious living. JaiPlace features everything from health food stores and farmer’s markets to yoga and alternative healthcare. “Though our long term vision is to have a national, even global appeal, we are very excited about starting in West Michigan,” says Tomaz. “There are a lot of wellness initiatives here and a community that is passionate about protecting Michigan’s natural beauty and precious resources.” Understanding the connection between personal wellness and environmental sustainability is what JaiPlace is about. JaiPlace is committed to social and environmental responsibility and sources products that were created with fair labor practices.

Read More...

Gaining Momentum step-by-step

Jake Himmelspach
Published: June 1, 2010
Grand Rapids Business Journal

Refinement through increased flexibility has made a difference in the sophomore year of the 12-week program offered by Momentum, a local venture firm that provides support to Web-based technology start-ups.

“We learned so much from working with the three companies last year — what programming works. We shook a lot of creative people out of the trees to sign up for mentor gigs and providing different resources, which has been really fantastic,” said Bill Holsinger-Robinson, executive director of Momentum.

Read More...

Bill HR talking Momentum wit Dustin Dwyer of Michigan Radio

Podcast

Read More...