March 2025
Welcome back to First Chair ??: Your rundown on Vermont’s startup scene brought to you by your friends at VCET. Today’s gems:
?? Standing Sideways
?? Female Founders: OLYMPIANS
?? Cannatrol on Start Here Podcast
?? Aprexis rings in $1,000,000
Standing Sideways
What a winter to get on snow. An old-school sort of year for snowfall, sledding, and above all else, snowboarding. There is something special about standing sideways whether surfing, skating, or riding. Going against the grain a bit and braced to take on what lies ahead. Burton Snowboards is an iconic Vermont company that launched in 1977. Jake Burton Carpenter and Donna Carpenter for no logical, sane or easy reason, felt the world needed something fun, different and expressive to do on snow.
And, that’s what entrepreneurs do. They disrupt when it makes no sense. They sell ideas and build products without asking permission first. They charge ahead without having a market analysis in hand and by simply ignoring “the way things have always been done.” And so Burton’s entrepreneurial journey began to introduce a new sport to the world, build a culture that attracts talented people, and design the best clothing and boards on the planet [AK forever].
The company continues to lead with authenticity, innovation, fun and obsession over the riders themselves. No company or team is perfect, but Burton is coming up on 50 years in business and as much a part of Vermont’s identity as Ben & Jerry’s, maple syrup, and Heady Topper. Donna and her family continue to advance snowboarding and boardsport communities around the globe.
In 1981, I first tried a Burton Backhill that Vermonter and early team rider Mark Heingartner had brought to our high school in Massachusetts. Totally hated it. Stupid idea. So, I stayed with my Olin IV skis until I tried riding again in 1992 with a couple of UVM buddies in Vail (on a Kemper rental). Wow. I got it. And, I’ve been standing sideways on a Burton board ever since without regret. Life changing.
What is less well known is how these founders have helped others along the way, as a result of their business success. 2025 marks the 30th anniversary for the non-profit Chill Foundation that Jake & Donna started to introduce young people to boardsports. So far, Chill has served more than 30,000 people in 9 countries. Young people get to try a new sport, build confidence, find mentors, and share smiles for miles.
Without snowboarding, there is no way I would be in Vermont, met my amazing wife or fathered two amazing groms. Today, most of my (non-powder) mornings are filled with looking for the next undeniable founders like Jake and Donna who want to launch a company and relentlessly take on the status quo. See ya on the slopes!
-Dave
International Women Day at Lawson’s!
Hit up Lawson’s this Sunday afternoon for a panel of women leaders!?
Peak Pitch
Hosted by FreshTracks Capital, Peak Pitch Vermont, is a skiing, networking and fundraising event held at Sugarbush Mountain. Entrepreneurs are paired on a chairlift with an investor or advisor, and provided the chance to deliver their elevator pitch on the way up the mountain.
Mark your calendars for March 11th, 8am-2pm! Get your tickets here.
Hardware Meetup at Rigorous
The 5th Burlington Hardware Meetup is happening March 13th at Rigorous!
A Day for Jake
This March 15th is the global A Day for Jake where all are asked to “go have as much fun as possible” on snow, water, land or in the air.
More details here.
Female Founders: OLYMPIANS??????
Join us on March 24th!
CPG v. ChatGPT
Read this fascinating piece on the value of DTC companies and how VC’s should approach investing in them.
Full article here.
#ScaleHere Discounts
Last year, Vermont entrepreneurs saved over $485,000 in startup costs using our perk platform.
This is open to any entrepreneur in the state of Vermont. Check out the discounts and email us to start saving and scaling!
Need a conference room?
We have 5 rooms available for a small fee to support our mission. Capacity ranges from 4-12 people.
All rooms equipped with TV screen, adapters/cords, and white boards.
Perks: unlimited Brio coffee, tea, high speed internet, located in the heart of Downtown Burlington.
We require 7 days advance notice.
A moment of gratitude!
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Special thanks to our incredible sponsors:
?
???? Aprexis rings in $1,000,000 purchase order!
?? Lost Lantern founders Nora & Adam, are Beverage Dynamics 40 under 40.
ALSO their 2025 Spring Collection drops April 2nd.
?? Capitol Helicopters places fleet order for GPMS HUMS.
?? Land Care Cooperative receives an $100,000 investment.
Check out our latest Start Here episodes ??
and don’t forget to follow, rate, review, and subscribe!
Good Luck, Team 9096! ??
Wishing the First Robotics Team #9096 good luck on their upcoming competition!
This team is made up of 15 students from 4 high schools in the Lamoille County area.
?Growing high-paying jobs in the state of Vermont is central to VCET’s purpose. Check out these sweet gigs with some of our portfolio companies.
NBCUniversal (Remote)
GPMS (Waterbury & Remote)
Fluency (Burlington & Remote)
Park Software (Vermont & Remote)
Are you enjoying First Chair?
Do you have a (kindly worded) suggestion for how to make it better?
I’m all ears! ?? [email protected]
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