Emerging Companies Benefit from Bootcamp

Many people go through life without ever really achieving their goals. Many people have great ideas, but are too afraid to put them on paper or into action. However, for several groups of entrepreneurs in the Champaign- Urbana area, putting a plan into action is not an issue.

Ten groups of startup companies ranging from University of Illinois students to community residents recently attended Startup Bootcamp sponsored by the Technology Entrepreneur Center.

Bootcamp was designed specifically for early stage, technology-based companies. Glenn Winokur, an instructor at Bootcamp, said the main purpose of the Bootcamp was to focus on each individual startup company, give them advice and help them transform the issues or challenges their company faces.

The ultimate goal of Bootcamp was to be an intensive, hands-on program that allowed the startups the opportunity to practice pitching and to receive one-on-one coaching from entrepreneurial mentors.

In the words of instructor Harlee Sorkin, “Bootcamp gives a startup business a chance to take a step out of themselves and be a little introspective. They learn what their key action points are, how to keep moving forward and how make those tough decisions that are around every corner in an early stage business.”

Rob Shepherd, a Bootcamp attendee and one of the founders of Liquid Glass Technologies, said that Bootcamp was the most efficient learning experience he has had. It targeted specific and real issues within his company and helped him gain a new perspective of the business world.

Bootcamp was also a way to help companies establish a concise value proposition, as Esther Resendiz of Fashion Latte Incorporated pointed out. Resendiz also said she appreciated the honesty of the instructors and coaches and how they were so willing to help the companies succeed. 

In four days, 10 startup companies went from having no idea what an effective value proposition was to being able to clearly form a statement highlighting important benefits their company offers and the characteristics that set them apart from similar businesses.

Overall, attendees said Startup Bootcamp was a great way for them to get the help and guidance their companies needed all in one place, with specialized assistance on individual problems. The Technology Entrepreneur Center and College of Engineering really know how to effectively reach out to young companies.