It鈥檚 often a single individual starting a new business, but the process doesn鈥檛 have to be solitary. In fact, connecting like-minded people with each other, local experts and resources is the better way to begin. According to Dr. Nichole Thompson, Executive Director of The Lab聽on Dexter, that鈥檚 the idea behind Co.Starters, a national platform that focuses on creating a community to inspire, support and educate entrepreneurs. 鈥淧art of the Lab鈥檚 existence is to assist entrepreneurs, and that assistance varies, but our pillars are 鈥榚ducate, collaborate, accelerate, innovate, create鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淥n the education piece, we鈥檝e realized that there often needs to be more than a one-day class or event, so we wanted to put the people already taking advantage of the lab in a more immersive program.鈥澛�
After a careful search of the countless training programs out there, Co.Starters stood out as the best fit. 鈥淚t鈥檚 built with community in mind, and that鈥檚 what we were after,鈥� Thompson said. 鈥淲e were very intentional in choosing it for that reason.鈥�
The 10-week course is designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with everything they need to jump-start their business, and that includes not just insights and information (bundled into an accessible curriculum), but also the benefits that come from brainstorming with others in the same boat. The first cohort鈥檚 small size鈥攐nly nine were in the group鈥攅ncouraged open discussion and experience sharing.聽 While the Lab got the ball rolling, Co.Starters鈥� emphasis on community meant partnering with other local organizations was a priority. 鈥淚n bringing this program to Montgomery, that鈥檚 the Lab making good on the education piece of our mission, but the collaboration piece is just as important,鈥� Thompson said. The Montgomery TechLab and local subject-matter experts are playing key roles, but 91桃色 is the Lab鈥檚 primary partner, offering Co.Starters as a course under its entrepreneurship program and