Startup Week CHA 2021
Monday, October 18, 2021
Not All Press is Good Press
PR/Communication/media professionals Chloé Morrison and Jim Tanner will teach entrepreneurs how to create positive media coverage. We'll cover how to do an interview, write a press release and work with the media.
Startup Week CHA Kickoff + Fireside Chat w/ James Chapman
Startup Week kicks off with veteran, serial entrepreneur James Chapman, who spent years contributing to the Chattanooga entrepreneurial ecosystem before taking his talents to Detroit.
He’s the Founder & CEO of Plain Sight — a social app that allows users to make the right business connections at events and workspaces. Plain Sight was recently featured as Apple’s App of the Day.
Download the Plain Sight app and use it to connect with people throughout the week at Startup Week CHA.
The kickoff also has a special guest — Stephanie Hays, who has organized Startup Weeks in the past, and now is on a great worldwide adventure, all on Airbnb’s dime.
Hear from Stephanie, who is living it up while traveling, but wishing she had EPB’s high-speed internet, and then CO.LAB CEO Lindsey Cox and Chapman will talk fireside-chat-style. Don't miss hearing about how two Chattanooga-lovers are sharing their talents with the world.
#BuildInSE's Pop-Up Lemonade Stand | DAY ONE
Build In SE invites all startup founders, investors, and tech talent to swing by their inaugural Pop-Up Lemonade Stand, a new outdoor watering hole in support of startup builders in the Southeast.
When life gives them lemons, entrepreneurs make lemonade. When Build In SE serves complimentary lemonade, entrepreneurs gather to share stories and network.
Lemonade servings will be complimentary, while Build In SE merch will be available for sale. A portion of funds raised during this pop-up will support local charities promoting entrepreneurship in Chattanooga.
Sponsored by First Republic Bank
Loving Yourselfie
Come meet Chattanooga's newest attraction - The Selfie Museum - at an exclusive pop-up just for Startup Week CHA
Starting Your Business During a Pandemic
As COVID-19 continues to challenge our community and small business owners, the LAUNCH Chattanooga team is working to support entrepreneurs. This workshop will discuss the challenges and advantages of starting a business during this time, as well as the necessary steps to do so.
Coffee + a Documentary
This session is a coffee tasting and documentary preview. Global growers and communities rarely get to see how much people enjoy their craft. And, with limited success at the bottom of the chain, their livelihoods are often compromised by the global commodity price for coffee. Because we recognize their value and want to share it with others, Goodman Expert Coffee Roasters intentionally sources and roasts to highlight the work of innovative farmers, such as Ventola and Unblended in Colombia, to promote sustainability and build others up. The result is exceptional and innovative coffee you can feel good about.
Will This FLOAT?
This might be the start of a dream come true. Nine people with fresh, creative, fun visions will swallow their fears and doubts and take the stage to present business ideas in this pitch competition. Come see if their ideas FLOAT and connect with budding entrepreneurs.
The full list of companies selected to pitch can be viewed here.
Judges for the event include:
- Adrienne Cooper, founder and CEO of Moonlight Roller
- Erin Felton Lopez, Etsy Inc. Strategy & Analytics, MBA, Ex-Goldman Sachs
- Meilani Santillán, Program Director at Code for America
- Jay Shaffer, Angel Investor and Board Member of Atlanta Tech Angels
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Where to Network & What to Say When You Get There
Join Young Professionals of Chattanooga (YPC) and hear from Elaine Merritt, Executive Director, BNI as she talks about the available networking opportunities, plus a how-to on what to do once you are there (and steps on following up afterward).
Sustainability and Recycling Pitch & Pilot Competition
The City of Chattanooga and The Company Lab are partnering for a Sustainability and Recycling Pitch & Pilot Competition.
The city and nonprofit are looking for creative ways to drive the waste management structures and infrastructure systems.
This includes changes to technology, infrastructure, and educating residents.
Members of the public are invited to submit ideas covering one or more of the five areas listed below.
- Circular Economy
- Cost Efficiency in Recycling Processes
- Consumer/resident Education
- Labor Reduction
- Composting
Four submissions will be selected to pilot in partnership with CO.LAB and the City of Chattanooga, and those selected will be awarded a small stipend.
Chosen solutions will present during Startup Week CHA 2021 on Tues. Oct. 19 at noon and be evaluated on:
- Understanding of problem/solutions
- Quality of recommendation
- Implementation
- Feasibility (including an estimated budget)
The selected solution(s) will be selected for pilot programs to assess their feasibility in Chattanooga.
As part of the pilot process, these four ideas will be presented as a pitch event on Wed. Oct. 19, 2021 as part of Startup Week CHA.
Applications are due Oct. 3, and selected applicants will be notified Oct. 10.
Anyone with an idea can email a proposal to [email protected]
#BuildInSE's Pop-Up Lemonade Stand | DAY TWO
Build In SE invites all startup founders, investors, and tech talent to swing by their inaugural Pop-Up Lemonade Stand, a new outdoor watering hole in support of startup builders in the Southeast.
When life gives them lemons, entrepreneurs make lemonade. When Build In SE serves complimentary lemonade, entrepreneurs gather to share stories and network.
Lemonade servings will be complimentary, while Build In SE merch will be available for sale. A portion of funds raised during this pop-up will support local charities promoting entrepreneurship in Chattanooga.
Sponsored by First Republic Bank
Building Social Impact Into Your Business
Social impact investing and conscious capital have become widespread themes in business over the last several years. This session will include a panel of entrepreneurs who have embraced social impact as part of their business model. You'll hear how they embedded in their corporate culture and get their advice to founders who want use their business to drive more than profits.
TVFCU Idea Leap Pitch Competition
Join TVFCU for the Idea Leap Pitch Picnic on the front lawn of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center. Come early at 3:30 p.m. to set up your lawn chair or spread your picnic blanket and grab an early supper from Chatter Box Café for this outdoor, socially-distant event. The Pitch Competition will begin at 4 p.m. as Champion Christian Learning Academy, Chatt Taste Food Tours, LLC, Lil Mama's Chicago Style Hoagy, Salon Posh and Wild Violet Permaculture, LLC compete for the five Idea Leap Grants ($21K, $15K, $10K, $7K and $5K). In the event of rain, the event will be strictly virtual. Furthermore, if there is a COVID-19 case surge, the event may pivot to strictly virtual. Follow TVFCU on social media for event details
The Delta-8 THC Controversy
Delta-8 THC and CBD edibles are popular. But are they legal? Join us for a discussion on the current state of the local cannabis industry with a special focus on the status of Delta-8 THC and CBD as a food additive. Are you an (aspiring) entrepreneur operating in the legal grey zone of cannabis-derived products? Learn how to protect your business from the unexpected.
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Nomad Be Happy's Sip, See, & Explore
Nomad Be Happy's Sip & See events are a chance to see an adventure van in person and start dreaming up your next trip. Explore the inside of our van, and check out local partners and partner product. Naked River Brewing will also be there with sudsy goodness.
Tech & Startups & Jobs: Job Fair 2021
New this year! Join us for the inaugural Startup Week CHA Job Fair. Come meet area employers from tech-enabled startups to major and mid-sized businesses who are hiring right now.
Explore work opportunities from:
Austin Sizemore • FT - Sales/Real Estate Professionals
Bellhop • FT - Sales/Human Resources/Software/Operations/Management
Carbon Five • FT - Software
Chattanooga Selfie Museum • FT/PT - Management/Marketing
Chattanooga Tourism Co. • FT - Marketing
The City of Chattanooga • FT - Human Resources/Software/
Operations/Management
The Enterprise Center • FT - Marketing/Communications
EPB • FT - Customer Service/Technical Support/Network Engineering/Electrical Engineering/Resource Planning/Dispatch/Marketing/IT
Girls Inc. of Chattanooga • FT - Operation/Programs Coordinator
Iron Workers Local 704 • FT/PT - Skilled Labor/Operations
Komatsu • FT - Finance/Accounting/operations/skilled labor
Legacy Box • FT - Marketing/Human Resources/Customer Service/Software/Operations/Management
Marius Group • FT/PT/Intern - Sales/Marketing/Human Resources
M&M Industries • FT/PT - Maintenance Operators/Packers/Printers/Injection Molding
Novo Health Services •
Reliance Partners • FT - Sales/Marketing/Customer Service/Finance/Accounting/Software/Operations/Management
Robert Half • FT/PT - Marketing/Human Resources/Customer Service/Finance/Accounting
Shelly Cove • FT/PT - Operations
Skuid • FT
Steam Logistics • FT - Sales/Operations/Administration
Text Request • FT - Software
The Professional Cleaning Solution • FT/PT - Operations
Trident Transport • FT - Sales
Makers Marketplace
30+ Chattanooga-area vendors will be in one place so you can browse all the best from entrepreneurs across the city. The event will be in Miller Plaza’s Waterhouse Pavilion on Oct. 20 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m
Thursday, October 21, 2021
What does TikTok do again?
Learn the basics of TikTok and get tips on using it from a millenial who found surprise success on this social media platform.
Hardhat Tour of Brickyard
Meet the team — and see the space while it's still being built — of Chattanooga's new early-stage capital and founder's club. Built & funded by the founders of Bellhop and Lamp Post Group, Brickyard recruits world-class founders from all over the country to exit the rat-race, and build unencumbered alongside others in it, and those who’ve been through it.
Reimaging Waste
Come receive education about recycling, composting, and our current plastic pollution problem.
F*Bomb: Turning an F*up into a lesson
I know you've effed up a time or two. Tell us about it. We droppin' F*Bombs by slingin' stories on how to turn a failure into a lesson. Complimentary cocktails for the first 25 folks. Bring yo'self and an effin' friend
Chambliss Startup Social + The Startup Awards
Join us for the annual Startup Social (powered by Chambliss Startup Group) + the Startup Awards!
CHAMBLISS STARTUP SOCIAL powered by Chambliss Startup Group | 6 PM - 7:30 PM
Meet us at Naked River Brewing & BBQ starting at 6PM to eat, drink and network with entrepreneurs, startups, founders, and Chattanooga's movers and shakers.
At the conclusion of the Startup Social, a special surprise guest will take us from Naked River across the street to Finley Stadium for the Startup Awards.
STARTUP AWARDS | 7:30 PM - 9 PM
Join us for the annual Startup Awards, where we will recognize and celebrate the next generation of emerging companies as well as everyone who helped them become successful along the way.
The awards will be held on the field of Finley Stadium and include opportunities to meet players from the Chattanooga Football Club.
We will also have a late-night food truck on site for eats and drinks.
Awards will be given to:
- Startup of the Year, voted on by the public
- High Growth Company of the Year, presented by CO.LAB
- Goldfinch of the Year, presented by the INCubator
- Micro-business of the Year, presented by LAUNCH Chattanooga
- Charlie Brock Ecosystem Builder of the Year
- Volunteer of the Year, presented by The Enterprise Center
- Rising Star of the Year, presented by the TSBDC
- Latino Entrepreneur of the Year, presented by LaPaz
Friday, October 22, 2021
Tour Stove Works
Stove Works provides local, national, and international artists a venue for the production of, exhibition of, and education through Contemporary works of Art. Come see April Childer's exhibition, I am Not a Cartoon, in the main gallery. Galleries are open from Noon - 6:30 Wednesday - Saturday.
CO.LAB Open House + End of Week Block Party with Chattanooga Design Studio & The Enterprise Center
Come meet the CO.LAB Team & Chattanooga Design Studio for an open house at CO.LAB and an afternoon block party powered by Chattanooga Design Studio and The Enterprise Center on Georgia Avenue.
Shoey’s Bodega
Come buy rare snacks or simply a nice cold BoolAide.
Enneagram Happy Hour @ CO.LAB
The Enneagram is a system that helps you uncover your core personality, deeper motivations, and unconscious patterns. But more than that, it is a map that helps you grow beyond your personality and shows the way to your true self. It is a tool for transformational personal growth, and it all starts with knowing your Type. This is the beginning point to unlocking all the magic that the Enneagram holds. This workshop will introduce you to the Nine personality types in a fun, interactive way + booze.
Download these images to your phone and post using the Instagram app.