Dandelion Dispatch #0249: Startgrid

Startgrid is a software platform for cultivating entrepreneurial networks. Their platform is used by businesses, accelerator programs and a variety of other organizations. Startgrid wanted to develop an online portal — available to the community at large — which helped achieve their mission of connecting entrepreneurs across the country.

How Dandelion Helped

Dandelion partnered with Startgrid to build an online hub which fostered an environment of open communication and feedback between established mentors, and new entrepreneurs. Specifically, we built an online platform called Virtual Office Hours which would allow entrepreneurs to ask questions to mentors and peers.

Entrepreneurs could submit questions to specific mentors on the Virtual Office Hours platform. They could ask anything, from how the mentor got their start, specific questions about an entrepreneur’s business, or whatever’s on their mind. The questions would be answered on camera and posted back on the website, offering an easy and highly visible way for entrepreneurs to benefit from the insights and knowledge base of individuals who they otherwise would not be likely to access.

Our team was responsible for building the technology to support the Virtual Office Hours platform, as well as the branding and visual identity, and the communications plan for rolling out the program to the public. Dandelion further assisted in identifying and recruiting prominent, established entrepreneurs to participate as mentors in Virtual Office Hours.