rocket hatch overview
DESCRIPTION
Update of activities and programs August, 2015TRANSCRIPT
Building a dynamic North Alabama economy fueled by a vibrant and diverse startup community
Overview + PROGRAMS
© Rocket Hatch, 2015
3Rocket Hatch Community Accelerator
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GETTING STARTED
Rocket Hatch started at the beginning of
2014 as an idea of a group of
entrepreneurial individuals with backgrounds in creative, social and tech
startups. We saw the need for a support
community for entrepreneurs that
wanted to focus their efforts in the
commercial space, leveraging modern
technologies and business frameworks to launch new companies that could
create value locally while selling globally.
Many of us had seen first hand the
startup movement taking hold around
the world and transforming it rapidly. We
understood that starting a business in 2014 was way different than just a
decade ago. First the internet, then the
cloud and now mobile technologies had
changed everything, and we knew we
wanted to join in, but we did not want to
leave our home, Huntsville.
We knew Huntsville had all the critical
elements to be a thriving startup
ecosystem. However, disruptive commercial startups were not common
and if they existed were disconnected to
the local scene.
In April of 2014 we decided to change
that by supporting the first Weekend
Startup competition in town. In May, we incorporated Rocket Hatch as a 501(c)(3)
non-profit with the mission to unleash the
untapped entrepreneurial potential of
North Alabama through an open,
inclusive and collaborative startup
community. Only a few months later we could not be more proud of what our
emerging startup community has
accomplished and the role we have
played as a catalyst. This success pushes
us to continue with this mission.
Will you join us in this effort?
Rocket Hatch Community Accelerator
www.rockethatch.org
To unleash the untapped entrepreneurial potential of
North Alabama through an open, inclusive and
collaborative startup community.
THE&ROCKET&HATCH&MISSION
4Rocket Hatch Community Accelerator
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10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,0000
PopulationMale Female
90+85-8980-8475-7970-7465-6960-6455-5950-5445-4940-4435-3930-3425-2920-2415-1910-14
5-9<5
OUR DEMOGRAPHICS SUGGEST GREAT POTENTIAL
20%
5Rocket Hatch Community Accelerator
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CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS DEMAND A NEW APPROACH
Total Population Huntsville Metro
683,871
Graduated College 44.2%
20-35 y/o 139,464Double Income No Kids
35-45 y/o 90,602Double Income With Kids
45-55 y/o 109,992Mid-Life Executive & Spouses Returning to Work
Population In Prime Entrepreneurial Age
339,988
If only 10%+ of Potential Entrepreneurs Succeed the economic impact is huge
Small Businesses3,399 x $1M = $3.3B
Medium Businesses339 x $10M = $3.3B
High Growth Businesses33 x $1ooM = $3.3B
10%* = Potential Entrepreneurs
33,998GLOBAL&ENTREPRENEURSHIP&MONITOR&REPORT,&BABSON&COLLEGE*
Combined Economic Potential
$10B
6Rocket Hatch Community Accelerator
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COMMUNITY: THE SUSTAINABLE ACCELERATOR It all ends and starts with the community.
To become sustainable, the community itself
needs to organically transform in the accelerator.
This means our efforts have to focus just as
much on cultural change and values as on
training and mentorship.
7Rocket Hatch Community Accelerator
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A FRESH APPROACH FOR HUNTSVILLE
The best way to achieve sustainable
startup acceleration is to nurture the
community that is already here. Like the internet, our community should be a
diverse network with multiple nodes and
engines so that a single failure cannot
bring down what we have achieved. In
the past few years, we have seen how
creating an environment of community and sharing helps new leaders emerge
and connect to create the new startup
community we want to emerge.
Entrepreneurs, innovators, mentors,
angels and other key players are starting
to converge but much still needs to be done.
We have a great R&D legacy thanks to
the Department of Defense and NASA,
we want to leverage it for diversification
and growth.
Build Strong Local Networks That Reach Out Regionally
In the past several decades, because of
immigration and population growth, a
diverse pool of talent and resources has been accumulating. This growing
demographic includes millennials who
grew up here, stay-at-home spouses,
minorities and immigrants ready to start
their own businesses. Our target
community wishes to engage in new and creative forms of entrepreneurship that
can make our economy more diverse
and resilient, our community more
interesting and inspiring, and improve our
quality of life.
The South East region is raising as an entrepreneurial hub, led by pioneering
efforts in cities like Chattanooga,
Nashville, Atlanta, New Orleans and
Memphis. It only makes sense to join in
and bring the best to North Alabama.
We believe there is an opportunity for
great growth by tapping into our local
strengths but also reaching out to the rest of the region and Alabama for
connection, inspiration and resources.
For the last several years, our founders
have been reaching out to the
community both locally and regionally to
learn, connect and develop a strategy that draws from the experiences and
lessons learned from our neighbors, but
that is also distinctly North Alabamian.
Our principles are simple: to create
community we need to be open, lean,
and smart. We understand that building a community is the effort of many. We
celebrate all those trying to build
community and try to partner and
support all worthwhile efforts.
Rocket Hatch Community Accelerator
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8Rocket Hatch Community Accelerator
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INCLUSIVE, LEAN & SMART
Rocket Hatch is a Startup:
We follow the path our entrepreneurs
have to follow
Inclusive
An acceleration network:
We are engaging with all
players in the community.
Always looking to partner and
collaborate, our partners include: entrepreneurs,
investors, mentors, incubators,
government, universities, and
nearby communities.
Players:
To spawn innovation, our communities need to interact.
Scientists and artists,
engineers and physicians,
technicians and bankers,
artisans and lawyers,
educators and public servants, government and
private–all are welcome.
Lean
As agile as our startups:
We are a bootstrapped
accelerator. We have spent
our time doing customer
development, understanding the problems faced by our
local entrepreneurs and
stakeholders (our funders and
sponsors).
It’s not about the building:
Social capital comes first. We operate virtually utilizing
existing infrastructure and
spending our resources in
activities that create lasting
value: Engagement,
Connection, Learning, Launching, and Accelerating.
The fancy building can wait.
Smart
Strategic Partnerships:
We have established
relationships with key startup
communities in our region and
beyond.
We are licensing and adapting
proven programs, creating
new ones only when we see a
market opportunity.
Our local partnerships provide
us with physical locations, infrastructure, funding, and
sponsorships.
Our community network
provides volunteers, speakers,
mentors, facilitators, services,
infrastructure and funding.
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Community ValuesHatchers come from the community we support and exemplify the
culture we are striving to create. Our
culture comes from our core values:
+ Collaboration+ Trust
+ Open communication
+ Encouragement+ Inclusiveness
+ Risk-taking
+ Fail forward
Rocket Hatch as the startup community we nurture is a
“do-acracy” where what Hatchers do
supersedes what they have or who
they know, what or where they studied or worked.
Hatchers are always looking to grow
themselves, their business, their team and their community.
10Rocket Hatch Community Accelerator
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“Thanks to Rocket Hatch, there is some very good new energy. I was pleased to meet many of the players and I will be happy to support you on other events —thanks for all this help to our community!
Peggy SammonSerial Entrepreneur | CEO GeneCapture
11Rocket Hatch Community Accelerator
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In just over a year, Rocket Hatch reached out to a diverse community of leaders, entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and stakeholders looking to create
and open, inclusive and dynamic startup ecosystem.
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C O MMU N IT Y MET R IC S
1,700+Total Community
941Interested
597Engaged
115Volunteers
38Mentors
990 959
Followers
40%Women
25-34Median Age
40+Rocket Hatch
EVENTS
1,596Attendees
50++From other
communities
Au g u st 1 s t , 2 01 5
28Companies
35Entrepreneurs
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A NEW CONVERSATION HAS EMERGED
25+ stories, interviews and blogs on local and regional
media and TV
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“There is a lot of momentum right now for startups in Huntsville. I think Rocket Hatch is a major reason for that. The Sip ‘n Hatch events, Will This Fly? and other programs they are hosting are getting people working together.
Harrison DiamondBusiness Relations Office, Office of the
MayorCity of Huntsville
15Rocket Hatch Community Accelerator
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FROM IDEA TO STARTUP
OUTREACHSocial media is both a marketing tool and a
virtual venue for our startup communityconnecting people, places, ideas and events.We dig deep and wide into the local and
regional entrepreneur networks online.
OUTREACH, EVENTS and CO.STARTERS programs create complementary cycles that help new entrepreneurs engage, connect and learn as they progress in their journey to create new startups. The cycles are designed to
create a community of mentors that give back once they become successful entrepreneurs.
EVENTSRocket Hatch both supports and hosts a
multitude of entrepreneurship events in theregion. Our goal is to help develop multiplegroups and venues that support a tightly
connected startup community.
BOOTCAMPS+COMMUNITYSuccessful startups need community. We
help entrepreneurs through one-on-onementorship, peer-support groups and provenprograms like CO..STARTERS which helps
move from idea to startup in 9 weeks.
Entrepreneur Startup
OUTREACH BOOTCAMPSCOMMUNITY
O N B O A R D I N G G R O W T H
Engage
Learn
Launch
Accelerate
EVENTS
Connect
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OUR PROGRAMS
Engage Launch
Accelerate
Complementary programs that guide and support entrepreneurs in their journey.
Connect Learn
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P R O G R A M S
B R A I N TR U ST
Many ProgramsOne Mission:
Support the Entrepreneur
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This (mostly) monthly meetupfor the starters and creators of North Alabama that has been successful at attracting a diverse group of creatives, tech and social entrepreneurs.
This is a venue to get out of our silos, mix and match, share and learn together to realize the innovative startup ecosystem we all know must emerge in our area
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Rocket Hatch events inspired and brought together an eclectic mix ofengineers, designers, artists, entrepreneurs, inventors, investors. Our goal is togenerate excitement but also forward momentum for our startup community.
We will bring together investors and entrepreneurs to discuss and share experiences in investing, pitching for funding and growing high-tech startups
Investor Day is a high-energy event including panels for investors and entrepreneurs, speed dating and networking in a fun and dynamic format
21Rocket Hatch Community Accelerator
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A celebration of the diversity of the creative and entrepreneurial spirit in North Alabama. Will This Fly? provided a platform for local innovators to pitch their ideas.
Finalists got the stage to tell investors, mentors, and potential partners why their concept is awesome.
This fast-paced pitch event was the first moment in the limelight for new startup ideas around the Greater Huntsville Area.
INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
SHOWCASE
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“We made several key connections from the competition. This includes some potential partners as well as our IP attorney. Startup companies need local advisers and there is no better way to find them than at a competition where you are surrounded by like minded people.
Paul GradlWill This Fly? Competition WinnerCo-founder Weld-3D
23
iXs
$150KJump Start Foundry (Nashville)
$150KJump Start Foundry (Nashville)
$7KGIGTANK (Chattanooga)
$80KGIGTANK (Chattanooga)
Startup Bootcamp (Netherlands)
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CO.STARTERS
Rocket Hatch licensed CO.STARTERS, a proven 9-week program from the Company Lab in Chattanooga that teaches entrepreneurs to examine assumptions and turn business ideas into action using lean business modeling
methods in a simple and intuitive way with the help of a supportive community.
As part of this effort we engaged and educated a select group of experienced entrepreneurs to serve as mentors and facilitators using the CO.STARTERS curriculum and approach.
Our goal in 2015 is to develop further the mentorship culture around the program providing additional opportunities to engage, connect and activate local mentors and entrepreneurs.
26Rocket Hatch Community Accelerator
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The 9-week CO.STARTERSprogram that teachesentrepreneurs to examineassumptions and turnbusiness ideas into action.
CO.STARTERS presents leanbusiness modeling methodsin a simple and intuitive waywith the help of a supportivecommunity.
costarters.rockethatch.org
36 Entrepreneurs 29
startups
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“I learned so much more with my CO.STARTERS cohorts than I did at college; and I have a business degree. I got the support I needed as I was getting ready to open my studio and was introduced to the North Alabama Revolving Loan which provided the initial funding I needed to get started.
Teri HartmannCO.STARTERS GraduateOwner Designbyhart
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“It was clear from the quality of the materials that the CO.STARTERS applicant provided that she had a good understanding of her business. She was able to respond quickly and articulate key business metrics such as competition and market potential.
Mary Ellen JudahExecutive Direct0r
North Alabama Revolving Loan Fund
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The Brain Trust surrounds entrepreneurs with a supportive community that is vested in the success of their startup ventures.
Brain Trust brings together peers, mentors, coaches, and other stakeholders in a safe, productive, and fun environment.braintrust.rockethatch.org
BRAIN TRUST
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A PROGRAM AIMED AT ENTREPRENEUR SUCCESS
Round Tables
Entrepreneurs can join a
confidential, invite-only round
table cohort focused on
mutual support and personal
growth.
Round Tables meet once a
month to discuss problems
and uncover innovative
solutions.
The Brain Trust is the place to start or come back after any of the other Rocket Hatch programs.
One-on-One
Access mentoring sessions
that focus on entrepreneur
development and startup
progress..
Meet mentors that are in a position to help you get to the
next level.. Get paired based
on your needs or choose a
mentor through networking.
General Meetings
General Meetings allow
entrepreneurs to meet and
mingle the Brain Trust
community at-large.
These business owners’ specific mixers supplement
community-wide events
produced by Rocket Hatch
and our partners.
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“We asked Rocket Hatch to help us organize a one-time meeting of local food entrepreneurs, and they said, “No.” Instead, they helped us have a Food Hatch - three
meetings that culminated with a big event centered around local food businesses. And we’re still meeting, still making connections, and still supporting and collaborating with other business owners. It was exactly the kick-start that we needed.
Caitlin Lyon & Michelle NovoselCo-founders Pizzelle’s Confections &Food Hatch Huntsville
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Rocket Hatch true power comes from its committed volunteers that share our vision and want to build an entrepreneurial community that can stand side by
side to any other, anywhere in the world.
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Modern & SmartPartner
Graphic ColorSponsor
RegusSponsor
The NookSponsor
LOCAL PARTNERS & SPONSORS
CO.STARTERSPartner
MetabahnPartner
Rosita’s FarmPartner
Zero Point FrontiersPartner
Design LabPartner
ONE Unity MediaPartner
InCrowd CapitalPartner
NARLFPartner
Downtown Huntsville, Inc.Partner
Rainspace ComputingSponsor
Pizzelle’s ConfectionsSponsor