Burgess Institute Announces 2023 Momentum Pre-accelerator Summer-Teams

by Clare Hampel, Aaryn Richard

The Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation announces the five Spartan startup teams selected for its third Momentum summer cohort.

On May 8, the Burgess Institute will launch 2023’s Momentum cohort, which will run through June 18. The annual six-week pre-accelerator is a competitive program that focuses on emerging startup teams. It provides additional financial and mentorship resources to advance MSU-based student startups and prepare them for more intensive accelerators.

Momentum’s 2023 Cohort

Out of a competitive applicant pool, these five MSU student startup teams will embark on their Momentum summer journey:

Element in 3D

Founder: Farjana Begum (begumfa1@msu.edu), College of Communication Arts and Sciences

Element in 3D is an open-world exploratory educational video game that makes learning chemistry fun and engaging for elementary and high school students.

Motmot

Founder: Elliot Smith (smit3821@msu.edu), Eli Broad College of Business

Motmot is an engineering company that installs submersible drones to inspect public water infrastructure.

Odin Classroom

Founder: Aman Dhruva Thamminana (thammina@msu.edu), College of Engineering; Rajmeet Singh Chandok (chandok1@msu.edu), College of Engineering

Odin Classroom is an online coding platform that reduces friction in computer science courses by providing a better user experience and reducing downtime.

Protein Pints

Founder: Paul Reiss (reisspau@msu.edu), Eli Broad College of Business

Protein Pints is a protein ice cream supplement for athletic recovery and performance.

Zenit

Founder: Shreesha Maddur (maddurs1@msu.edu), College of Engineering

Zenit assists understaffed career services departments at community colleges by creating a digital roadmap for students in career development and addressing skill gaps that empower students to become career-ready for employers.

Momentum is a six-week journey during which each team receives industry-specific mentorship, focused work time on their startups, and ,000 in grant funding. Applications for the program are open only to current MSU student teams active in the Burgess Institute’s Discovery or Launch venture creation programs.

Paul Jaques, the Burgess Institute’s managing director of venture creation, launched Momentum in 2021.

We saw a need in our venture creation programming where early-stage student teams needed a boost, said Jaques. These teams are working hard but may not be ready for a full-scale accelerator. That’s where Momentum comes in. We help them flesh out their ideas and get them to a point where they can apply to renowned accelerators like Conquer, TechStars, and Y Combinator.

We are excited to welcome 2023’s Momentum cohort to in-person co-working, said Lori Fischer, director of operations for the Burgess Institute. Getting teams working side-by-side, bouncing ideas off one another, and pushing each other to achieve set goals—that sets Momentum’s intensive programming apart.

Fischer went on to say that alum mentors help make a huge difference. Our student teams value their insights and getting a chance to learn from mistakes others have made. These alumni are incredible. They make themselves available to teams; they join as guest speakers, centering their sights on tangible topics, like marketing, legal, accounting, and investing, Fischer said.

Ultimately, Momentum’s participants graduate from the program with more vital, durable startups. They are prepared to apply to competitive accelerator programs. Six weeks may not sound like a lot of time; however, the program’s intentional design gets teams focused on goal setting and holding themselves accountable.

One of the key attributes of the programming is working with the teams on how to set appropriate, reachable goals and develop metrics. Six weeks means intense focus. Teams can make significant progress precisely because they must produce something. They’re held accountable to themselves, the program, and one another during weekly check-ins, said Jaques.

Follow Momentum’s 2023 Cohort on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Applications to participate in Momentum’s 2024 Summer Cohort will open in early March 2024.

Burgess Institute Announces Inaugural Vandervarro Scholars Olivia Gargett and Olivia Simone

by John Hart, Aaryn Richard

The Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation proudly announces that Olivia Gargett (’24, Broad College of Business) and Olivia Simone (’23, Broad College of Business) are the inaugural Vandervarro Scholars. Gargett and Simone are founders and CEOs of startups within the Burgess Institute’s Launch Program. They are recognized for their innovative mindset and drive in their entrepreneurial ventures.

Established in 2022 by Alexandra Clark (Broad College of Business ‘10) and Kyle Welch (Broad College of Business ‘09), the Vandervarro Scholarship recognizes exemplary student venturers focusing on startups within the food, agricultural, and hospitality industries at Michigan State University.

Clark and Welch are both accomplished food entrepreneurs, having launched successful companies at a relatively young age. Clark is the founder/owner at Bon Bon Bon, a world-renowned chocolate dessert business that started in Hamtramck and has since expanded to multiple other locations. Welch is the co-founder at Chicago Scoops, a franchise group that owns and operates Cold Stone Creameries.

Olivia Gargett is the founder of OG’s Bakery, a custom cake pop and cookie company with the mission to spread sweetness at large and small events alike. Gargett’s treats not only taste amazing but also eye-popping, giving customers with a unique experience.

Olivia Simone is the founder of Soup N’ Sip, an on-the-go, spoonless soup company offering customers a delicious, healthy, and convenient alternative to fast food.

Both women are leaders in MSU’s entrepreneurship community, inspiring young venturers through their determination and early success.

Donors Clark and Welch launched the Vandervarro scholarship to celebrate student venturers.

Entrepreneurship is not about thinking inside or outside of the box. In fact, in many cases, there is no box at all, said Clark. Kyle and I believe celebrating entrepreneurs and letting them know they’re not alone in their journey is important.

I feel proud to be chosen for an award by fellow food entrepreneurs, said Gargett. Being a young entrepreneur, it’s easy to be hard on ourselves. These achievements make our businesses and hard work feel so special.

Simone added, It’s very motivating to know that there are people out there who believe in me and my idea.

The Burgess Institute’s programs and resources allow student venturers to build their skills, hone their entrepreneurial mindset, and gain the tools necessary for reaching their goals.

The Burgess Institute is a welcoming community that has encouraged me from the very start of my journey and continues to support me every day, said Simone.

By finding my way to the Burgess Institute, I’ve discovered a strong community of like-minded people with whom I can bounce ideas off of and collaborate, said Gargett. This program is the reason I came to MSU. I wanted a hands-on entrepreneurship program that had the opportunity to grow my business. Everyone in the program, the staff and students, have been an amazing help to me and my business.

Gargett and Simone have found success in opportunities presented by the Burgess Institute. They competed in the 2021 Burgess New Venture Challenge, Simone as a Top 15 semifinalist, and Gargett receiving first place. Moreover, Simone received first place at PitchMania 2021, hosted by the Michigan State Entrepreneurship Association, winning the competition’s ,000 top prize. Both women have worked hard to get their ventures to where they are today.

Soup N’ Sip has found a home in the Burgess Institute’s newly established Venture Kitchen, prompting her to begin taking her products to market. I will use this generous scholarship to buy supplies to start selling soup in the student popup space in the Union, said Simone. I am so excited to jump into this next phase of my journey.

Garret will use her scholarship award to hire employees and expand OG’s Bakery’s outreach. I would love to have a storefront in my hometown where my business started. My biggest dream is to have a line of cake pops sold online that can be shipped nationwide, Gargett said. My goal is to create a large brand for myself and allow it to be my full-time job.

The Vandervarro Scholarship gives back to students passionate about taking their ventures to new heights.

Burgess-Institute-Kicks-off-New-Year-with-2022-2023-Entrepreneurs-in-Residence

By: John Hart, Aaryn Richard

The Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Michigan State University announces its 2022–2023 cohort of Entrepreneurs-in-Residence. Eleven EIRs will be returning to complete their two-year commitment; one accomplished Spartan entrepreneur, Brandon Pollak, will be joining the program’s ranks.

Entrepreneurs-in-Residence serve as mentors and coaches, working closely with students participating in the Burgess Institute’s Discovery and Launch venture creation programs. This year’s cohort brings with them expertise, insights, and a network that will fuel student success and assist them in bringing to life go-to-market strategies.

The Burgess Institute welcomes new EIR to 2022-2023 Cohort

The Burgess Institute announced the formation of the EIR program in 2020. With the program’s success, the team has grown from four members to twelve in 2022. This year, the Burgess Institute welcomes Brandon Pollak to the team.

Brandon Pollak (B.S. Political Science, ‘02) is a senior principal at Cityfi, a business advisory and government affairs firm. He possesses twenty years of experience as an entrepreneur, investor, startup executive, and political strategist crafting creative public policy solutions to open emerging sectors and scale high-growth businesses. With a passion for ecosystem building, Brandon co-founded DC-based startup incubator and venture fund 1776, a global hub designed for companies tackling major challenges in highly regulated sectors. Brandon serves as an advisor, convener, and connector between governments, institutions, startups, and key stakeholders on bolstering the innovation economy.

Returning EIRs representing in 2022-2023 are:

Curtis Daniel III (B.S. Psychology, ’95) is co-founder and CEO of Patchwerk Recording Studios. Under Daniel, Patchwerk Studios has been the home to more than a dozen Grammy-nominated audio engineers and over 100 gold and platinum records. Patchwerk has also been the creative force behind several educational programs and music events, such as Music University, Weekend Workshops, I Do Music, and R&B Live.

Jeff Ellman (B.A. Sales and Marketing, ’00) has dedicated his career to helping people through life’s transitions. Ellman is co-founder of Urbanbound, a web-based application built to help people move to a new city, and Hireology, a technology platform that gives companies a structured hiring process. Ellman also co-founded Homescout, a residential real estate company that has since been sold to Coldwell Banker. In addition to the companies Ellman has co-founded, he serves as a board member, advisor, and mentor to various companies and organizations.

Kelly Ford (B.A., Communications, ’94) is a tech industry executive turned investor at Edison Partners, a growth equity firm focused on technology-enabled solutions in fintech, enterprise software, and healthcare IT sectors. Having never held a role that someone held before her, she is a veteran of high-growth emerging and established tech companies. As general partner and chief operating officer at Edison Partners, Kelly leads firm operations, investments in fintech and enterprise software companies, and is the pioneer of the firm’s Edison Edge value-added services platform focused on building and accelerating enterprise value for portfolio companies through operating excellence.

Stacey Marsh (B.A. Marketing, ’86) is the co-founder and former CEO of Flatout Flatbread. She lives by the simple words her father said to her,” Never wonder ‘what if.’” In 2015, she and Flatout Flatbread co-founder, her husband, Michael (B.A. Marketing, ’85), successfully sold their company to Lancaster Colony. Today, she enjoys giving back and helping young entrepreneurs bring their dreams to life.

Joshua Ogundu (B.A. Economics, ’15) is the CEO and co-founder of Campfire. Campfire lets you use your voice to talk about the photos in your phone, either to give more context behind a moment or tell a story about something you saw. Previously, he was a team lead on the Global Product Operations team at TikTok. Ogundu’s work led to the release of TikTok’s photosensitive epilepsy feature warning and toggle as well as TikTok’s age verification for their Creator Fund. He also led the accessibility product vertical while at TikTok.Ogundu has utilized his past experiences with his startup LykeMe, an identity- and interest-based social network that he founded while at Michigan State, to become both an advisor for CLLCTVE as well as a scout for venture capital funds. He is currently part of Acrew Capital’s and Concrete Rose’s Super Angel Program.

James Pita (B.S. Computer Science,’07) is a Ph.D. in Computer Science, an AI scientist, entrepreneur, and investor who has worked on and invested in AI-based solutions across industries. In 2013, he co-founded Avata Intelligence, an AI services company that was acquired by Procore Technologies in 2020. Pita’s other notable accomplishments include numerous scientific publications, helping pioneer the field of security games, working as an Operations Researcher for RAND Corporation, and over a decade of experience working on AI applications for defense including the United States (US) Coast Guard, US Transportation Security Administration, and US Federal Air Marshal Service. He continues to work at Procore Technologies as a Principal Machine Learning Engineer and is an active angel investor.

John Rood (B.A. International Relations and Political Theory, ’05) founded Next Step Test Preparation, which grew from a two-person tutoring operation to a market leader in pre-health entrance exam test preparation before selling to private equity. Today, he is the managing director at Greenrood Holdings LLC, which invests in education and edtech businesses.

Sheela Sethuraman (M.A. Education Technology, ’97) is the founder and CEO of CueThink, an application focused on improving math problem-solving and collaboration skills. She has over twenty years of experience building and implementing educational technology solutions in classrooms. Sheela was Project Director at Pearson Education, Director of Technology at CAST, and has been a member of various consortiums centered around education technology.

Amy Smith (B.S. Kinesiology and Exercise Science, ’97) is the Chief of Staff & Senior Director of Transformation & Operations at Indeed. She is responsible for investment management and talent development of the SMB product, technology, and engineering organization. Previously Amy served as the SVP of Product & Partnerships at Techstars, where she was responsible for the evolution of product service offerings for founders and partners. Before joining Techstars, Amy led product management at ZOLL Data Systems. She led a team of product professionals to deliver end-to-end integrated solutions to streamline and modernize the EMS and Fire first responder and back-office workflows through telemedicine, mobile, and enterprise data management solutions.

Jun Wang (M.S. Industrial Mathematics, ’04) is a seasoned Silicon Valley tech executive. He recently built and led a global org of software engineers, data scientists, and technical program managers for a top social media company. Before this, he ran product management and data science at a venture-funded startup in the fin-tech space. He has previously spent 5 years managing Google’s analytics and data science teams in Google Maps, Adwords, and Google Payment. He started his career in risk management at HSBC after getting his master’s degree in Industrial Math at MSU. Jun is a startup advisor, angel investor, and board member in his spare time, helping startups in various stages on business strategy, product management, and technical topics around big data and machine learning.

Jim Wirth (B.A. Accounting and Information Systems, ’89) is a co-founder and CEO at GiantMouse, LLC, and owner and CEO of Golden Gate Goods, LLC. Wirth started his career as a Computerized Information Systems Auditor at Price Waterhouse. He co-founded BASE Consulting Group in the San Francisco Bay Area, which merged with Knightsbridge Solutions before being acquired by Hewlett-Packard.

Bringing Value to Generation Will.

Providing mentorship and encouraging professional networking, EIRs are chosen based on their expertise and deep connections within their respective industries. At the start of the semester, each EIR is matched with multiple student founders who have been accepted into both the Discovery and Launch venture creation programs. Each EIR is empowered to work with their assigned students across the academic year, helping them build their ventures toward market readiness.

The Burgess Institute’s venture creation program, open to all MSU students, advances venturers through two phases: Discovery & Launch. Discovery presents students with the opportunity to build a business plan through researching, testing, and strategic planning. Once student teams reach their tailored milestones within Discovery and are ready to take their company to market, they can apply for admission into Launch. The application process requires student venturers to pitch their startups to Burgess Institute EIRs, who, together with program advisors, decide if teams are ready to move forward.

Lori Fischer, the Burgess Institute’s director of operations, reflects on the benefits EIRs provide for student experience.

“As student success remains our top priority, I am so excited to see the impact EIRs have on our student community,” said Fischer. “Every year, our EIRs are matched with students with similar interests and backgrounds. Working with likeminded professionals grants students the resources to build their startups and projects, as well as discover the reach of their potential.”

Last year, students used these connections to advance their entrepreneurial ventures and deepen their skillsets. Serving as venture coaches for the 2022 Burgess New Venture Challenge, multiple EIRs worked directly with student competitors, lending their personal experiences to benefit aspiring innovators at Michigan State University.

EIR Sheela Sethuraman, CEO and founder of Cuethink, shared her learnings from experiences with students, including Siham Hassan. Hassan, student entrepreneur and founder of Foreign House, found working with Sethuraman invaluable.

“Working with Sheela has been incredible! She’s not only very helpful, but very supportive, understanding, and believes in everything I am doing. It’s been an honor having Sheela as a mentor and I look forward to working with her as I continue to grow and develop myself and my brand.”

Christopher Sell, the Burgess Institute’s director of alumni and entrepreneur engagement, has made diversity a top priority when choosing this group of professionals. Alumni in consideration for this critically important role were chosen based on their respective industries, professional accomplishments, geographic connectivity, and emerging or continued interest in supporting entrepreneurship education at MSU.

“It’s important to have this group of professionals mirror the diversity we see on Michigan State’s campus and the community across our venture creation and academic programs. We want to make sure we bring forward a group of alumni who collectively represent the best of the Spartan Nation in an authentic way.”

The Burgess Institute continues to spearhead entrepreneurship and innovation in the academic space. Since the inception of the EIR program, its goal has been to provide student venturers with a strong foundation of mentorship and collaboration with experts. The continued growth of the program will set the 2022–2023 EIR Cohort on a trajectory to further drive student success.

Burgess Institute Welcomes New Role Targeting Alum Entrepreneurship

The Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation welcomes Sean Fochtman as its new director of alumni venture support. A new role within the institute, Fochtman brings his years of student advising and entrepreneurial experiences to offer startup resources to alums who request assistance in establishing and growing their ventures.

Since its inception, the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation has provided financial support and mentorship resources to student entrepreneurs at Michigan State University. Through academic programs, funding, and mentor engagement, the Burgess Institute provides opportunities to cultivate the entrepreneurial mindset and inspire professional and startup growth.

“Alums are essential to our students’ success,” said Laurel Ofstein, the Burgess Institute’s faculty director. “Their involvement with our students brings industry-specific expertise, while connecting aspiring student entrepreneurs with MSU’s extensive alumni network. We’re thrilled to begin offering this same kind of support to alums looking to build and grow their own ventures.”

Fochtman completed both his bachelor’s in Psychology and his master’s in Student Affairs Administration at Michigan State. As a Spartan, he joins the Burgess Institute from the College of Engineering, where he served as an academic advisor. Working with students completing their minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Fochtman saw firsthand the value of supporting early student startups, along with encouraging students to work in entrepreneurial companies.

“Engineers solve problems. Entrepreneurship, much like engineering, is all about identifying key problems and designing solutions,” Fochtman explained. “So that gave me my first taste of what the Burgess Institute was like, working with engineering students. I was always interested in working more deeply with this office, so when the new position came into focus, I jumped at the chance.”

Along with a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation, the Burgess Institute offers programs and resources for MSU students, no matter their home college. For Fochtman, advising students in the College of Engineering, he oversaw students declaring the minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. An entrepreneur himself, Fochtman acknowledges the value MSU alumni can receive from the Burgess Institute.

“Looking at the Burgess Institute from an MSU alum perspective, I can see the institute’s goal of extending these kinds of resources to alums,” Fochtman said. “The programs offered by the institute are things I personally would have benefitted from when I was starting out as an entrepreneur, and I am committed to helping MSU alums find success.”

Within this position, Fochtman acts as a liaison for alums continuing their ventures after graduation. Staying connected with recent graduates, he hopes to showcase the institute’s support to keep these ventures alive and to help alums to continue creating. Moreover, Fochtman will act as a resource for alum entrepreneurs no matter their graduation year.

Fochtman understands that entrepreneurship is difficult at any life stage. “Students go out into the world and get overwhelmed with life,” he said. “I want to connect with them early and let them know they will receive our support from the day they walk through our doors, and even after they graduate.”

The beauty of MSU’s community, Fochtman said, is its vastness. “It’s big enough that, for any type of business entity or startup idea, there’s probably an MSU alum out there who has some expertise with it. My job is to help find those experts and connect them with creators and innovators.”

Burgess Institute Launches Entrepreneur-In-Residence Program

BY AARYN RICHARD SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

The Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Michigan State University welcomes five successful Spartan entrepreneurs into its Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program’s inaugural cohort.

Starting this fall, students in the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation’s globally recognized program can expect to receive even more in-depth, one-to-one mentorship and learning experiences. Open to all majors, students who are part of the institute’s programming explore entrepreneurship as a career path and hone their entrepreneurial mindset.

BURGESS INSTITUTE 2020–2021 EIR COHORT

• Jasmene Bowdry (B.S. Fashion Merchandising, ’05) is a retail strategist and fashion entrepreneur. She launched SHIFT StyleHouse®, a contemporary clothing boutique for the modern renaissance woman. Joining her love of business and passion for fashion, Bowdry also founded The Boutique Teacher, LLC, which provides both current and aspiring boutique owners with proven retail strategies to grow and scale their online businesses.

• Curtis Daniel III (B.S. Psychology, ’95) is co-founder and CEO of Patchwerk Recording Studios. Under Daniel, Patchwerk Studios has been the home to more than a dozen Grammy-nominated audio engineers and over 100 gold and platinum records. Patchwerk has also been the creative force behind several educational programs and music events, such as Music University, Weekend Workshops, I Do Music, and R&B Live.

• Stacey Marsh (B.A. Marketing, ’86) is the co-founder and former CEO of Flatout Flatbread. She lives by the simple words her father said to her, Never wonder ‘what if.’ In 2015, she and Flatout Flatbread co-founder, her husband, Michael (B.A. Marketing, ’85), successfully sold their company to Lancaster Colony. Today, she enjoys giving back and helping young entrepreneurs bring their dreams to life.

• John Rood (B.A. International Relations and Political Theory, ’05) founded Next Step Test Preparation, which grew from a two-person tutoring operation to a market leader in pre-health entrance exam test preparation before selling to private equity. Today, he is the managing director at Greenrood Holdings LLC, which invests in education and edtech businesses.

• Jim Wirth (B.A. Accounting and Information Systems, ’89) is a co-founder and CEO at GiantMouse, LLC, and owner and CEO of Golden Gate Goods, LLC. Wirth started his career as a Computerized Information Systems Auditor at Price Waterhouse. He co-founded BASE Consulting Group in the San Francisco Bay Area, which merged with Knightsbridge Solutions before being acquired by Hewlett-Packard.

A vision outlined in 2012 has carried through to today: The Burgess Institute’s team believes the same skills that make for successful entrepreneurs also make for successful humans. Further, Michigan State University is the destination for students to launch their high-impact, entrepreneurial journeys.

The Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation empowers students to learn through action, said Paul Jaques, the institute’s managing director of venture creation. By providing campus-wide programs, courses, and resources, we’re watching how students have the freedom to test their ideas. They fail, they learn from their mistakes and make decisions about how to refine their processes. Together, we nurture an entrepreneurial mindset, improve empathy skills, and, in many cases, take new ventures to market.

With the EIR program’s advent, student entrepreneurs can expect a more profound, meaningful experience in creating and launching their startups.

Christopher Sell, a social innovator and the Burgess Institute’s director of alumni and entrepreneur engagement, brings together Spartans from across the nation. Since 2016, Sell has been laying the foundation for entrepreneurial alumni, connecting them with students building startups at Michigan State University. Of the 2020–2021 inaugural cohort, Sell believes, . . . we couldn’t ask for a more passionate, more dedicated group of Spartans. 2020’s EIR cohort brings accomplished entrepreneurs, innovators, and professionals to the table. These Spartans offer students a diversity of thought, backgrounds, and industry expertise.

The venture creation process is a challenge, which is why 2020’s inaugural cohort welcomes alumni who demonstrate coaching and advising savvy, not to mention a deep capacity to understand the role and responsibility mentors play in students’ daily lives.

Sell goes on to say, Across their year with us, EIRs are expected to meet at minimum two hours per week with their mentees. From professional advice to listening and thinking through some of the most challenging problems our students face as creators, these mentors are here to prepare our students for a 21st-century career and economy.

The EIR selection process focuses on applicants’ track records, availability, and deep commitment to giving back.

It’s an honor, says Jasmene Bowdry, who joins this first cohort. Bowdry is a retail strategist, fashion entrepreneur, and founder of SHIFT StyleHouse®, a contemporary clothing boutique for modern renaissance women. I’m committed to helping our students find their passions and look forward to watching them grow.

Stacey Marsh, co-founder and former CEO of the successful Flatout Flatbreads also joins the 2020–2021 cohort. What I find most inspiring about this program is its real-world applications. Its tangibility. Right now, especially, we crave meaningful connections. This program harnesses that desire.