Announcing Founders Camp 2019
Dynamo Ventures’ annual event to bring together stakeholders from the supply chain and mobility ecosystem to support startup founders scale their businesses and drive growth and traction
Following our inaugural Founders Camp in 2018, Dynamo VC is delighted to announce its 2019 program with support from our headline sponsors, Chick-fil-A, Covenant Transportation, Schneider National, and FreightWaves, as well as local sponsors, EPB, Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, and Market Street Partners.
Founders Camp will span across three days where founders will attend entrepreneur-centric workshops and participate in business development meetings with executives from 20 different corporates. The camp draws on Chattanooga’s rich heritage and expertise as the capital for supply chain technology — referred to as Freight Alley — as well as an epicenter for outdoor culture. The camp will start the evening of 9/30 and go through to 10/3 in Chattanooga, TN. Apply to get an invite.
Program Overview
If you are a market-changing startup in supply chain and mobility, with a strong founding team and early traction, this could be for you. Startups looking to raise a seed or series A round will benefit from our focus on practical advice and introductions to potential customers and partners. We also encourage startups from overseas who are considering entry into the US to participate. We do not take equity or ask for a program fee to participate.
Benefits of Participation
Founders will have access to and work with a global network of founders and corporates who can help bring their experience and resources to help them scale their startup.
“Our week at Founders Camp led us to adding multimillion dollar revenue opportunities to our pipeline, valuable company building perspectives, and involvement in one of the most potent supply chain networks in the world.”
Anshu Prasad, CEO and Co-founder, LEAF Logistics
Practical advice to help you scale your startup. We recognize that building a startup is challenging and founders often ask us for practical advice, from which the Dynamo Founders Camp was created. We have developed a series of workshops and discussions with leading minds on customer success, enterprise sales, product management, scaling teams, and more.
Introductions to potential customers and partners from high growth SMEs to Fortune 500 organizations. The best founders recognize there’s no better dollar than a customers’ dollar — and we agree. Founders will get face-to-face time with both mid-sized and large businesses to gain feedback on their product and discuss business development opportunities, providing the chance to leave with a great pipeline of potential customers and partners who are looking to solve problems and capture opportunities with technology.
Fundraising Advice. The Dynamo team will offer advice and perspective on fundraising strategy for founders looking to raise seed or Series A rounds. We are also happy to make post-program introductions to co-investors where appropriate.
Support from Across the Ecosystem
We are proud to have the support of the nation’s leading fast food chain, Chick-fil-A. Upholding their work class product and customer service is a nationwide food supply chain, technology, and innovation operation.
Rejoining Chick-fil-A in supporting Founders Camp is Covenant Transportation, the Chattanooga, TN-based provider of expedited, truckload, temperature controlled, regional, and long-haul team driver delivery. In addition to their asset-based businesses, Covenant also operates a freight brokerage, Covenant Transportation Solutions and a factoring company, Transport Financial Solutions.
“We are delighted to continue our support of Founder’s Camp. We are eager to partner with supply chain technology startups to support our growth and address opportunities in a timely and cost-efficient manner.”
John Featherston, Senior Director, New Ventures, Chick-fil-A
Additionally, we welcome Schneider National, a leading provider of final mile, truckload, intermodal and logistics services as a new sponsor this year. Schneider National is committed to working with startups across its portfolio of offerings to provide a better freight experience for their customers.
“Dynamo’s Founders Camp is a focused and effective program that brings together startups and forward-thinking industry players to drive forward changes in the supply chain for the benefit of all stakeholders. We’re excited about complementing our existing innovation efforts with the Founder Camp.”
Brian Stuelpner, VP Strategy, Schneider National
A big thank you to EPB, Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, and Market Street Partners for their support with this year’s program.
We are also excited to have the support of FreightWaves who will host Founders Camp for the workshops in downtown Chattanooga, TN. Craig Fuller, CEO and Founder of FreightWaves will be sharing his experiences and counsel Founders Camp participants on building industry-changing businesses.
Other startup operators supporting the effort include Kyle Miller, Head of Communications at Bellhops; Lauren Denault, VP Customer Success at SKUPOS; and Jason Trachewsky, CEO at Aquifi, among others. Participating operators are committed to helping the next generation of startups by sharing their expertise.
“Building a big company is not easy and I understand first-hand how important it is to have high-quality perspectives and advice early on as you build and scale your business. I’m excited to pay-it-forward and share my story and perspective around building a high growth, industry-changing business that’s serving a global audience.”
Craig Fuller, CEO and Founder, FreightWaves
We are announcing new startup and corporate participants each week so please continue to visit our website regularly. Applications close on 8/15 at 11:59 PM PT with invitations extended by 8/30. Apply here. Please direct questions and inquiries to hello@dynamo.vc.
