Registration Open for Do North Coworking’s New Co.Starters Program

Registration is open through July 8 for Do North Coworking’s new Co.Starters initiative, a national program to help entrepreneurs explore and test their ideas to build profitable businesses.

New or aspiring Northeast Kingdom entrepreneurs who want to transform their business ideas into reality with expert guidance, resources and a network of supporters are eligible to participate. Co.Starters will run July 15-Sept. 13, with classes one night a week at Do North Coworking at 930 Broad St. in downtown Lyndonville. Do North Coworking is a Northern Vermont University-Lyndon economic development initiative that provides space and business services for member entrepreneurs and remote workers, as well as amenities for drop-in users.

“Vermonters are entrepreneurial by nature — it seems like everyone has a side gig. Co.Starters is a unique opportunity for these entrepreneurs to sit next to each other as they work through some of the same challenges in growing their businesses. Co.Starters gives people the tools they need to shape their idea into a profitable venture and then use these same tools to do it again in the future,” says Evan Carlson, Do North Coworking entrepreneur-in-residence.

Co.Starters will cover a variety of business issues through interactive exercises. Topics will range from marketing and sales projections to raising capital and hiring. Carlson hopes to offer two Co.Starters cohorts a year starting in 2020. 

Do North Coworking is partnering with LaunchVT, a Burlington-based organization that provides programs and resources for entrepreneurs, to offer Co.Starters. The fee is $250, which includes all supplies and a one-month membership to Do North Coworking.

“Supporting entrepreneurship in rural communities is all about bringing people together and leveraging resources. The LaunchVT REACT program connects local leaders and provides low-cost resources and training to support cohort-based business development programs. We’re looking forward to working with Do North Coworking as they support entrepreneurs in the Northeast Kingdom,” LaunchVT Executive Director John Antonucci says.

Do North Coworking opened in November 2018 and has about 30 regular members in addition to daily drop-in users. The coworking space also offers monthly, technology-focused meet-ups that are free for the public, and occasional hackathons, at which participants find ways to address community challenges. Conference space is available for rent.

For more information and to register for Co.Starters, visit VTCoStarters.com, or email Team@DoNorthCoworking.com.