MENTORSHIP MATTERS
We want to thank all our current mentors who have helped our start-ups reach the next level of success in their business. These mentors help point our start-ups in the right direction for seeking capital, funding options, mentors, and educational opportunities.
  • Dean Whittaker

    Dean Whittaker

    Whittaker & Associates

    Focus: Business Strategy

    +
    Dean Whittaker

    Dean Whittaker

    Whittaker & Associates

    Focus: Business Strategy

    Whittaker & Associates

    Business Strategy

    LinkedIn

  • Joe Lampen

    Joe Lampen

    WAKESTREAM VENTURES

    Focus: Finance and Raising Capital

    +
    Joe Lampen

    Joe Lampen

    WAKESTREAM VENTURES

    Focus: Finance and Raising Capital

    Specialties: accounting, corporate finance, raising capital, negotiating partner relationships

    LinkedIn

  • Bryce Kaiser

    Bryce Kaiser

    City Innovations

    Focus: Business Strategy

    +
    Bryce Kaiser

    Bryce Kaiser

    City Innovations

    Focus: Business Strategy

    Specialties:  product strategy; product team strategy (onshore/offshore); product development; growth marketing strategy/implementation; customer discovery/persona development; B2B business development; fundraising/networking; advising/mentorship; business model ideation

    LinkedIn

  • Christine Baker, CPA

    Christine Baker, CPA

    CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT

    Focus: Finance and Raising Capital

    +
    Christine Baker, CPA

    Christine Baker, CPA

    CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT

    Focus: Finance and Raising Capital

    Specialties: accounting, taxes, financial statements, valuations

    LinkedIn

  • Rivka Hodgkinson

    Rivka Hodgkinson

    New Media Design Studios

    Focus: Digital Marketing

    +
    Rivka Hodgkinson

    Rivka Hodgkinson

    New Media Design Studios

    Focus: Digital Marketing

    Rivka Hodgkinson

    Digital Marketing

    LinkedIn

  • Jen Heider

    Jen Heider

    WHIZZBANG SOCIAL

    Focus: Marketing and Branding

    +
    Jen Heider

    Jen Heider

    WHIZZBANG SOCIAL

    Focus: Marketing and Branding

    Specialties:  Brand Development and Positioning, Creative Direction and Campaign Development. Marketing and Activation Plans, KPI Development, Social Media content strategy and performance metrics.

    LinkedIn

  • Jeff Muller

    Jeff Muller

    MULLER DESIGN & MARKETING

    Focus: Marketing and Branding

    +
    Jeff Muller

    Jeff Muller

    MULLER DESIGN & MARKETING

    Focus: Marketing and Branding

    Specialties: Market Research & Strategy, Brand Identity and Positioning, Increasing Awareness, Generating and Nurturing Leads, Digital and Print Communications, Analytics

    LinkedIn

  • Kylen Blom

    Kylen Blom

    SILKSCREEN MARKETING

    Focus: Marketing and Branding

    +
    Kylen Blom

    Kylen Blom

    SILKSCREEN MARKETING

    Focus: Marketing and Branding

    Specialties: Social Media strategy, Graphic Design, Website Development

    LinkedIn

  • Jeff York

    Jeff York

    DICKINSON WRIGHT PLLC

    Focus: Legal

    +
    Jeff York

    Jeff York

    DICKINSON WRIGHT PLLC

    Focus: Legal

    Specialties:  Business structure, contracts, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions

    LinkedIn

  • Eric Post

    Eric Post

    Varnum

    Focus: Legal

    +
    Eric Post

    Eric Post

    Varnum

    Focus: Legal

    Eric Post, Varnum

    Legal

    LinkedIn

  • Ashley Sloat, Ph.D.

    Ashley Sloat, Ph.D.

    AURORA PATENTS

    Focus: Legal

    +
    Ashley Sloat, Ph.D.

    Ashley Sloat, Ph.D.

    AURORA PATENTS

    Focus: Legal

    Patent application and portfolio strategy; Patent application drafting, filing, and prosecution (US and International); Patent searching and competitive landscape monitoring; Issued patent maintenance; Patent administration – deadline management, filing services, monitoring reports, and portfolio

    LinkedIn

  • Andy Bass

    Andy Bass

    Founder

    Focus: Technology

    +
    Andy Bass

    Andy Bass

    Founder

    Focus: Technology

    Founder of Netnerd Ventures

    Technology Development, Artificial Intelligence

    LinkedIn

  • Dan Morrison

    Dan Morrison

    Collective Idea

    Focus: Software Development, Apps, Prototypes

    +
    Dan Morrison

    Dan Morrison

    Collective Idea

    Focus: Software Development, Apps, Prototypes

    LinkedIn

  • Robert Tennant

    Robert Tennant

    Macatawa Advisors

    Focus: IT Startups, Health Tech, Small Business Leadership

    +
    Robert Tennant

    Robert Tennant

    Macatawa Advisors

    Focus: IT Startups, Health Tech, Small Business Leadership

    LinkedIn

Ready to become a SURGE member? Reach out to Nora VandenBrink if you are interested in learning more.

Nora VandenBrink

Vice President of Entrepreneurship

CONTACT NORA

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