The Importance of Founder Fellowship

Founder: Bhushan Kulkarni
Company: InfoReady
Stage: Growth
Date Founded: 2010
Industry: Software, EdTech

During the journey of starting, growing, and sustaining a start-up, we all face many challenges. You can’t find solutions to these challenges and overcome those in real time by taking classes in school or by going to conferences. All of us need a peer network and group of trusted fellow entrepreneurs who have faced similar challenges. By investing in each other’s success, we are now able to build that trusted peer network at Michigan Founders Fund.

For the past two years, the pandemic stopped us from meeting, networking and building deep relationships. So, it was great to meet some of you at our Michigan Tech Connect Event last week at The Eastern in Detroit. The event allowed lots of open conversations, a free networking structure, and many opportunities to get to know each other. It was great to meet founders at various stages of their entrepreneurial journey.

Personally, the event was a great boost as I was not only able to reconnect with friends whom I had not seen in a long time, but also met many new people in the tech community. These experiences cannot be replicated on Zoom and I cherish such events because they foster the kind of connection and relationships that help all of us succeed. It was great to see that there are many entrepreneurs I can help with my experiences and there are others who can support me with my company-building challenges and aspirations.

Spring is here and the Michigan Tech Connect event is a great step forward in bringing us together again, enabling us to facilitate fellowship and ultimately to contribute to the advancement of successful high-growth ventures in our state. As MFF’s founding Board member and co-chair, I have committed my time to this network because I want to help my fellow founders succeed. We have a lot of great support programs and upcoming events for founders and I hope to see you there!