Every new year provides new opportunities for entrepreneurs to recommit and dig deep into their business plans.
This winter, 20Fathoms is expanding its free educational offerings to help launch more startup businesses in Northwest Michigan.
“At 20Fathoms, we regularly meet with talented, creative entrepreneurs throughout Northern Michigan who are working hard to turn their great ideas into successful businesses,” says Delaney Keating, director of entrepreneurship and commercialization at 20Fathoms. “
What’s happening: 20Fathoms, a Traverse City-based nonprofit, is expanding its series of offerings this year to include a series of breakfast workshops, coaching programs in Elk Rapids and Petoskey, grant programs and more.
The Breakfast Lab: Offered weekly at 20Fathoms in Traverse City, the sessions include workshops for entrepreneurs to tackle their most pressing issues with support from experts and peers, followed by work time and coaching, with general drop-in startup coaching available as well.
Winter dates and topics include:
- Feb. 6: MVP Development & Product-Market Fit
- Feb. 20: Storytelling & Pitching
Topics will recur throughout the year, and entrepreneurs can drop in at any time, for any session. Learn more and register at
20fathoms.org/breakfastlab. Breakfast Lab is made possible with support from Presenting Partners: Baird - The Rivard Teahen Group, Intent IP, TBA Credit Union, and True North Legal Group. Additional support provided by: 4Front Credit Union, Brightly, Frontier, Grand Valley State University, Huntington Bank, the Meg Zammit Group, Northwestern Michigan College, and Warner Norcross + Judd.
With the exception of the Startup Business Model Kick-off, a completed business model canvas is required to attend.
“A business model canvas is a tool that helps entrepreneurs take the first steps in creating their business plan — steps may include identifying value proposition, customers, channels, cost structure and revenue streams, and key partnerships, activities, and resources," says Keri Amlotte, who is head of outreach and strategic programming at 20Fathoms.
Entrepreneurs can download a
template online and develop a draft on their own. For additional support,
registration is open for a Traverse City Startup Bootcamp, which begins Feb. 18. Those who are unable to attend Breakfast Lab are invited to explore other
programming and events.
New startup coaching: New in 2025, 20Fathoms is expanding in-person one on one coaching at two new locations -- Elk Rapids and Petoskey. These sessions allow entrepreneurs to meet with a 20Fathoms startup coach who will help them identify priorities, next steps, and get unstuck. Meetings allow entrepreneurs an opportunity to talk through their challenges and get advice on how to achieve their next milestone.
Elk Rapids: The third Wednesday of the month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Waterside Office Building, first floor conference room. The program is hosted in partnership with the Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and Northern Lakes Economic Alliance.
- Petoskey: The second Wednesday of the month from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Honor Bank—Petoskey Commercial Loan Center
Drop-in coaching is also available weekly in Traverse City, following Breakfast Lab, and monthly in Manistee and Benzonia. Learn more at
20fathoms.org/coaching/.
Startup bootcamps: These multi-day programs help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into businesses. Participants learn goal setting, financial planning, and marketing. 20Fathoms is hosting a bootcamp open to all aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage founders in the region in February, with additional bootcamps to roll out regionally throughout the year. Startup Bootcamp, powered by CO.STARTERS, will be held at 20Fathoms from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. February 18, 20, 25, and 27. Learn more at
20Fathoms.org/bootcamp.
Additionally, the Indigenous Business and Marketing Essentials program will be offered twice in 2025; dates and locations to be announced.
Pitch opportunity: On Feb. 11, 20Fathoms will bring back the iconic TCNewTech: Bar Napkin Pitch Night, where anyone with a startup idea can take the stage. No application is necessary, and the audience will choose the best idea by cheering.
Learn more at
20Fathoms.org/tcnewtech.
About 20Fathoms: B
ased in Traverse City, 20Fathoms is a nonprofit organization and the hub for entrepreneurship and innovation in Northwest Michigan. Learn more about 20Fathoms programs and more at
20Fathoms.org/winter2025.
Rosemary Parker has worked as a writer and editor for more than 40 years. She is a regular contributor to Rural Innovation Exchange and other Issue Media Group publications.
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