Demystifying Go-to-Market Strategy

New Enterprise Forum is proud to have the September forum meeting be part of a2Tech360, Ann Arbor’s week-long celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship! Click here for more information, and to learn about all that is happening there during the week. 

Showcase Presentation

Dan Champoux, Founder of GEKOT Robotics Inc. GEKOT Robotics’ hardware/SaaS solutions enable micro-mobility manufacturers and rental fleet operators to improve accident mitigation and to comply with safety technology mandated by cities. GEKOT Robotics has raised $480,000 through grants and strategic partnerships, has one Utility Patent issued, and has completed two real-world pilots  with a third pilot underway.

Expert Panel: Demystifying Go-to-Market Strategy

Go-to-Market (GtM) is a key component of any investor pitch. However, tech founders often misunderstand exactly what it should look like, and what investors want to see. During this panel, we will explore the importance of GtM in a funding pitch, and dive into the details of exactly what to include - and what to leave out - if you want to impress investors and achieve hockey-stick growth.

Moderator

Stefan Sysko is a serial entrepreneur with a diverse background and 30+ years of experience. He helps founders and small business owners conduct customer discovery, develop their unique value proposition, and turn their ideas into focused, viable business plans. Sysko serves as Facilitator-in-Residence for TechTown Detroit, as well as faculty and Business Advisor for Goldman-Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses Program in Detroit. He is also a Board member, coach, and past president of Ann Arbor’s New Enterprise Forum.

Panel Experts

Alison Accavitti is a co-founder, CMO and board director at RIVET Work, a Detroit-based software company scaling better workforce management solutions for construction contractors. As an early-stage operator, she paved foundations for product design, sales, customer success and marketing. Prior to RIVET, she founded an internal marketing agency inside an automotive supplier to increase creative output and storytelling. Before marketing, she held roles in journalism where she learned to pivot early, bringing core storytelling skills along the way. She’s passionate about building underdog brands with a mission for elevating people. 

Jen Baird has over two decades of experience founding and leading high-potential startups. As a venture and angel-backed CEO, she raised over $75M, with outcomes that include 10x revenue exits, fast FDA De Novo and 510(k) clearances, and successful HITRUST/HIPAA-compliant clinical deployments… along with the difficult decision to wind down and return investor capital. Jen has been twice included in Crain’s Detroit Business’ 100 Most Influential Women in Michigan, as well as a Top 10 Artificial Intelligence Solutions Provider. She currently contributes to the entrepreneurial ecosystem as an Executive Board member, strategic advisor, CEO coach, blogger, mentor/consultant, and speaker.

Lindsey Kilbride, Principal, Detroit Venture Partners. A native Michigander, Lindsey graduated from the University of Michigan (Industrial & Operations Engineering and a minor in Mathematics). She began consulting for Bain & Company, then Mary Kay, earning the famed Pink Cadillac. In 2010, she became an early employee at Trunk Club,  leading sales and market expansion over 8 years and acquisition by Nordstrom. She has since consulted for several PE and VC backed companies looking to disrupt traditional B2C/B2B2C retail, most notably Matilda Jane and 11 Honoré. She is also co-founder of Shopflix: a shoppable video network of founder and brand stories hosted by influencers and industry experts. 

Networking

Come join us in person to enjoy food and drink and conversation with members of the local startup community.

Remote Viewing

Portions of this meeting will also be available for viewing online via Zoom.  For remote viewing, select an Online Ticket when registering via Eventbrite once the link becomes available.

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