CO.STARTERS is a program designed to provide you with the insights, relationships, and tools needed to turn your idea into action and your passion into a sustainable and thriving business.
We now serve Bledsoe, Bradley, Grundy, Hamilton, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Polk, Rhea + Sequatchie Counties!
CO.STARTERS is designed to bring you results within a collaborative environment.
Led by an experienced founder, you’ll explore how your businesses will operate, then test your ideas with potential customers.
We have 2 programs:
10-week virtual program that gives aspiring entrepreneurs a deep-dive into the process of launching a business.
Our first 2023 program will run from April-May. Our second program will run from July-August.
Participation fee: $150
2-day intensive program for founders who need a middle ground between a short workshop and a longer program.
Our first 2023 bootcamp will run from March 3-4, and the second will run from March 24-25.
Participation fee: $75
By helping me create my business plan, define my target audience, and understand the importance of marketing, CO.STARTERS demystified the process of entrepreneurship and ensured that I got off on the right foot.
- Dana Shavin, The Howl
Maria Fuentes came to CO.STARTERS seeking guidance on how to run her family’s business. She felt that she had the business instinct, but lacked self-assurance.
By the end of the program, Maria achieved a new level of confidence in her ability to run the business.
Kelsey Vasileff went through CO.STARTERS in 2013 to launch the city’s first all-natural, cold-pressed organic juice bar, Southern Squeeze.
Since launch, the company has built a culture around health in Chattanooga and has expanded to two locations downtown.
In 2016, Michael Rice came to CO.STARTERS after a successful Kickstarter campaign that allowed him to purchase the necessary equipment for coffee roasting.
Fast-forward a few years later: Michael opened a coffee roasting company in Chattanooga that employs refugees called Mad Priest Coffee.
John-Michael joined CO.STARTERS to learn the business, marketing, and finance principles needed to turn his art into a business.
The program challenged his assumptions, changing his approach in many ways.
CO.STARTERS gave him the confidence he needed to turn his pottery into a profitable venture.
CO.STARTERS will help you bring your venture to life in an immersive, collaborative setting.
Moderated by an experienced entrepreneur, the program challenges you to explore your concept more deeply and beta test your pitch among potential customers.
You’ll leave the program with a deeper understanding of how to create a sustainable business, articulate your model, and repeat the process with your next great idea.
If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, or a seasoned founder looking to launch a new product or service, CO.STARTERS is for you.
The only real prerequisites are: having an idea you’re ready to share, and a willingness to explore and refine that idea in a supportive environment.
If you’re creative, community-minded, and serious about turning your passion into a sustainable business, we want you to participate.
Each session meets once a week for 3 hours.
Life happens—things can come up over the course of the program. If you miss a session, you can schedule a time to make it up at a later date.
The program currently costs a flat fee of $150 per participant.
Fees for the program go towards paying the facilitator, class materials, and a copy of the CO.STARTERS binder that will be yours to keep.
Scholarships and payment plans are also available as well.
