Entrepreneurs invited to launch business ideas at SURGE Boostcamp

When Luciano Hernandez signed up for the Boostcamp cohort in 2020, the lifelong entrepreneur didn’t know what to expect. He was surprised at how much he learned about launching a product.

“Being part of this course taught me how to launch a new product, including validation, market, and commercialization,” says Hernandez, owner of Spirit Fire Aftermarket Products. “Most importantly, SURGE and its mentors gave me the boost and inspiration necessary to go forward with our product launch. I would recommend the class to any entrepreneur who is serious about launching a successful product.”

SURGE Boostcamp is a 16-week program that helps entrepreneurs build their high-tech startups or product-based companies. It is designed to give startups the boost they need in achieving their next growth milestones by offering navigation, programming, events, meetups, and other resources.

Applications accepted through Aug. 6

SURGE, powered by Lakeshore Advantage, is accepting applications for SURGE Boostcamp now through Aug. 6. 

This virtual business launch program is ideal for individuals looking to shape their startup company ideas and wanting to test the waters first while keeping their day jobs. SURGE Boostcamp will be held Wednesday evenings, 5-7 p.m., from Sept. 8 through Dec. 20. This is the third year SURGE has facilitated this program.
 
“SURGE Boostcamp is designed to get direct feedback to entrepreneurs from their target markets to then validate their business ideas. These insights ensure the entrepreneur is creating a solution that can scale into a viable business,” says Amanda Chocko, director of entrepreneurship. “Learning is the main objective of the program. Some entrepreneurs will validate their business assumptions, others may “pivot” into a different market or tweak their solutions, and others may decide not to proceed with their business at all and launch into their next big idea.”

16 weekly Zoom sessions

This program connects startup companies with mentors and divides the methodologies widely employed in many startup ecosystems into digestible sessions across the 16-week course. Each session, attended by mentors and startup company founders, occurs via Zoom. 

Included in the weekly sessions is startup company prep work, ranging from conducting customer interviews to meeting with mentors. The Boostcamp methodology and weekly check-ins with mentors and peer companies in the cohort hold the startup company accountable to achieve milestones in the spirit of validating and growing the startup’s business idea. 

In addition to Spirit Fire Aftermarket Products, past graduates include SolisMatica, G3 Acoustics, Revolin Sports, Anvil Tech, and Orindi. Thirteen companies have graduated from SURGE Boostcamp to date.

No more than 10 companies will be selected to participate in this fall’s cohort. Applications are being accepted through Aug. 6 for the fall cohort that launches Sept. 8 and can be found at www.lakeshoreadvantage.com/surge_boostcamp. 
 
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