Hula Partners with LaunchVT to Fuel Growth of Vermont Innovators

January 14, 2020

BURLINGTON, VERMONT (January 14, 2020) – Hula, a collaborative innovation campus on the shores of Lake Champlain, will partner with LaunchVT in a series of initiatives designed to identify, support and grow Vermont businesses.

In 2020, Hula will host all LaunchVT events, including their flagship business accelerator program. The partnership will increase support for startups as they continue to grow after the program.

LaunchVT works to develop and accelerate the next generation of businesses and the ecosystem at Hula will provide integral exposure, opportunity and connectivity for growing businesses.

“We’re creating an environment and a framework for innovative businesses to be their best,” said Russ Scully, owner of Hula. “We envisioned Hula from day one as a collaborative environment for innovators and entrepreneurs, and our work with LaunchVT is going to directly support that vision.”

As part of LaunchVT’s accelerator program, eight entrepreneurs are selected to participate in a two-month course designed to accelerate market-ready startups. Working from the state-of-the-art Hula campus, founders will participate in peer sessions, dedicated coaching, investor events and a Demo Night where entrepreneurs can pitch their ideas to a panel of judges for a chance at funding and over $100,000 in compensated services.

In conjunction with LaunchVT’s accelerator program, Hula will create a series of unique opportunities for rising Vermont businesses, including an optional investment specifically for LaunchVT startups.

“LaunchVT’s partnership with Hula elevates the level of support available for early stage startups with high growth potential.” executive director of LaunchVT John Antonucci said. “Founders will have the opportunity to develop their businesses alongside dozens of fellow entrepreneurs and have greater access to services and financing than ever before.”

ABOUT LAUNCH VT

Founded by the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2012, LaunchVT works with community partners to provide business acceleration programs and resources that empower Vermonters to solve problems and create economic opportunity in their communities. LaunchVT’s core programs operate at each stage of development: build, accelerate, and grow. REACT supports regional innovation spaces across Vermont with the curriculum and program support they need to build successful cohort-based business development programs for local entrepreneurs. LaunchVT accelerates the development of the eight best market-ready startups in Vermont by connecting them with each other, advisors, service providers, investors and direct business development support. Nexus connects founders of mid-stage and emerging growth-stage businesses from across Vermont through a remote communication platform and in-person meetings designed to provide greater access to professional networks, knowledge and resources.

For more information on LaunchVT, please contact John Antonucci, John@launchvt.com

ABOUT HULA

Hula is located in the south end of Burlington on the shores of Lake Champlain. On a 14-acre parcel of land, Hula is creating a new innovation district for Vermont’s high-growth businesses. The 160,000 square feet of building space has been reimagined from an industrial oven factory into a net-zero campus designed to maximize collaboration between already established businesses, new startups,

investors and experts. The two new buildings provide office space and designated coworking desks for up to 800 people. Steps from Lake Champlain, Hula has an indoor/outdoor event space for up to 500 people, a full-service restaurant, a fitness center and the Burlington Surf Club right next door. Accessible by the bike path from downtown Burlington, Hula opens in February 2020, as the perfect place to forge connections and partnerships within the Vermont business community.

For more information on Hula, please contact Amos Horn, Amos@palemorning.com

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