Announcing Founders Camp
The team and | are excited to announce the launch of our Founders Camp for
early stage startups transforming global trade and commerce. Founders Camp is
a four day program focused on helping founders build their business through
operator-led workshops and drive meaningful traction through introductions to a
variety of corporations. The concept of a "camp" draws from our hometown,
Chattanooga's heritage and strength as a capital for logistics technology and an
epicenter for outdoor culture. Camp will start the evening of 10/8 through lunch
on 10/12 in Chattanooga, TN.
>FOUNDERS CAMP
Powered by Dynamo
Founders Camp is informed by our seed investing efforts as well as our previous
experiences as accelerator, incubator, and co-working operators. We iterated and
evolved programming based on feedback from founders we've had the
opportunity to engage with.
Program Overview
Founders Camp is best suited on founders building revolutionary businesses
across supply chain and transportation. For this cycle, we are also very interested
in five thematic areas.
2018 Thematic Areas
1. trucking technology
industry-specitic applications of blockchain and distributed ledger technology
industry-relevant applications of machine learning
products/solutions related to agriculture and the food chain
a BY
warehouse automationCompetitive companies will have a strong team, a product/service built, and early
traction with customers/users. Those companies that are looking to raise a seed
or Series A would benefit from our focus on relevant operational advice and
customer introductions. We encourage companies from abroad who are
considering an entry into the US. There is no cost to a startup to participate —
we do not take equity or ask for a program fee.
Benefits of Participation
Founders will be introduced to a global network of founders and corporates who
can help them build a valuable business:
Gain operational insights from proven operators and managers who have
scaled startups and enterprises. On the journey of building a business, founders
often times come to us seeking advice related to one or more functional areas. AS
a result, we introduce them to founders and operators who are able and willing to
provide their expert opinions. At Founders Camp, we will have workshops and
discussions with leading minds regarding customer success, enterprise sales,
product management, scaling teams, and more. Our programming will address
the needs of the founders invited to attend.
Introductions to potential customers and partners at both medium and large,
Fortune 500 companies. The best founders know there's no better dollar than a
customers’ dollar — we agree. Founders will spend face-to-face time with both
mid-sized and large businesses to gain feedback on their product and discuss
opportunities to work together. Founders will leave with a great pipeline of
potential customers and partners who are looking to solve problems and capture
opportunities with technology.
Over $1M in benefits via the F6S Alpha Card program and other partner
benefits. We know that startups must "do a lot with a little" so our friends at F6S
have extend their Alpha Card program to participating companies. This includes a
free roundtrip flight, discounted lodging, and infrastructure credits. Thank you to
the F6S team!
Support from Across the Ecosystem
We have gathered a group of experienced startup operators and forward-thinking
corporations as part of our effort.
We are proud to have the sponsorship support of Covenant Transportation, oneof the largest full truckload carriers in the country and an anchor of
Chattanooga's claim as an epicenter for logistics technology. Digging into
founder, David Parker's entrepreneurial roots, the team has continually developed
innovative products, practices, and operations to better serve their customers.
“We are excited to support Founders Camp and rally forward-
thinking corporates to engage and support the up-and-
coming stars in supply chain and transportation technologies.
We feel strongly that this effort will augment our internal
innovation and provide opportunities to offer differentiated
services to our customers, over time."
Ryan Rogers, Chief Transformation Officer, Covenant
Transportation Group
Additionally, we are very excited to have the support of a pioneer in
transportation software, Omnitracs. Omnitracs' perspective as a premiere
provider of compliance, safety/security, productivity, telematics, transportation
management (TMS), routing, data and analytics, and professional services will be
invaluable to founders. It has been extremely exciting to hear some of their
initiatives and learning about their approach in building customer-centric
products.
A big thank you to our local supporters, EPB and Market Street Partners for
helping make this happen.
Startup operators supporting the effort include Jett McCandless, CEO and Co-
founder of project44; Lauren Denault, VP Customer Success at SKUPOS; and
Sugu Dinakaran, Head of Product at Bellhops, among others. Participating
operators are committed to helping the next generation of startups by sharing
their expertise.
“Founders Camp connects early stage entrepreneurs with the
specific advice they need to build meaningful businesses. |
know from experience that those perspectives are often very
hard to find, and I'm honored to join a roster of operatorsready to share their deep knowledge in areas such as
product, customer success, and sales.
Jett McCandless, CEO and Founder, project44
Rise of the Rest
Today is a special day as Steve Case, JD Vance, and the Rise of the Rest team
are visiting Chattanooga as stop #4 on this spring's tour. We have spent the day
celebrating our success and highlighting ways for us to continue our growth —
many that lean on our region's advantages in supply chain. With that, | am
extremely excited that a partner from Rise of the Rest will participate in a
Founders Camp session to benefit founders building industry-leading companies
in supply chain and transportation.
"We're proud to have co-invested with Dynamo previously
and recognize their passion and expertise in supply chain and
transportation-oriented businesses. We're excited to work
with them to provide founders with insight and advice as they
seek to build industry-changing businesses."
Anna Mason, Partner, Rise of the Rest
We believe that Founders Camp will provide a forum for startups and corporates
to engage where both can walk away with benefits. Expanding one's network,
getting quality advice, and engaging in thoughtful discussions shouldn't have to
be costly. Founders Camp will help founders build their business and drive
meaningful traction.
We are announcing new startup and corporate participants each week so please
continue to visit our website regularly. Applications close on 8/1 at 11:59 PM PT
with invitations extended by 8/30. Apply here. Please direct questions and
inquiries to hello@dynamo.ve.