Coolhouse Labs 2.0
Ann Arbor + Increasing Funding
Two years ago this week we launched Coolhouse Labs with a mission to help early stage entrepreneurs leverage technology to solve real problems.
We built our program out of a sleepy little hamlet on the shores of Lake Michigan with the idea that we would work with 5–10 companies each year in our ‘summer camp for startups.’
It has been an incredible first two years. We’ve worked with 13 awesome companies from all over the world, and helped them launch some great products.
Today, we are proud to launch the next evolution of Coolhouse Labs.
Increased Funding for Coolhouse Labs Companies
Today we open applications for our third ‘Summer Camp for Startups’ in Northern Michigan, and this year we are excited to announce that will be increasing funding of Coolhouse Labs companies.
We pride ourselves on the level of resources we provide the companies we work with. We offer free housing, mentorship, and access to our incredible design and product development team, and nearly $200,000 in perks. We are always looking for new ways to provide more opportunities for those teams to grow and be successful.
Each company will get up to $50,000 in funding. This year we will be increasing funding per Pre-Seed company. $50,000 for 6% up from original $25,000 for 6% deal in our first two years.
“Given how early the companies are that we like to work with — typically idea stage — this is a great opportunity to provide additional capital to the companies going through Coolhouse Labs,” Breighner says “and will go a long way to give them the runway they need to get off the ground and take the next step.”
Apply Now for our Summer 2015 Program
Ann Arbor Expansion — Winter 2016
This time next year we will launch our second 12-week accelerator program (Jan — April) in Ann Arbor MI. Each winter we will bring in 7–12 early stage technology startups and put them through the Coolhouse Labs experience in Ann Arbor.
We are partnering with two of our star mentors in the Ann Arbor community Joe Malcoun (CEO of Nutshell) and Guy Suter (Co-Founder and CEO Notion) and plan on co-locating with their companies in downtown Ann Arbor.
“We’re really excited to get Jordan involved in the Ann Arbor tech community. The success he’s had with Coolhouse in Harbor Springs has been amazing to witness and we couldn’t be any prouder to help bring his game to Ann Arbor.” added Joe Malcoun “Jordan’s intellect, ability to connect with people and commitment to helping start awesome companies will significantly accelerate the great things already happening here.”
Joe and Guy are two entrepreneurs that have built companies on what we strive for at Coolhouse Labs. Their focus on building great products that people love is something that is at the core of what we do, and we are excited to work with them to build Coolhouse Labs in Ann Arbor.
“Ann Arbor is a vibrant and thriving startup ecosystem. This is an opportunity that just makes sense with the talent that the University of Michigan pumps out on a yearly basis as well as the incredible roster of Coolhouse Labs mentors and supporters in the community.” Jordan Breighner Founder and Managing Director of Coolhouse Labs
In the coming months we will bring on an Ann Arbor based Partner/Managing Director as well as a Community Manager to manage the operations and program on a year round basis. The Ann Arbor location will serve as our year round hub, and will be a resource for all of our Coolhouse Labs companies.
“We’ve identified those 3–6 months post program as being critical in the development of our companies. They’ve launched, built great products, gained initial traction and now having a year round staff working across our entire portfolio — both the Northern Michigan and Ann Arbor programs — will ensure they get the resources they need for long term.
The Ann Arbor location will also provide a second launch pad for our companies, and give our entire portfolio greater opportunities to connect with the Coolhouse community in Ann Arbor.”
Applications for the Ann Arbor program will open this Fall.
The expansion of Coolhouse Labs to Ann Arbor as well as increasing funding gives us a year round platform to work with companies and ensures they have resources they need to get off the ground.
We are a program built by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the teams we work with have every opportunity to turn their big idea into reality.
You could say we are this excited to build something awesome.
