Northern Michigan Startup Week is more than a celebration, it’s a movement fueled by passionate leaders who believe in the power of entrepreneurship to shape the future of our region. From founders and venture builders to community connectors and innovation advocates, this team represents the heart of Northern Michigan’s growing startup ecosystem.
Get to know the incredible individuals helping bring this year’s vision to life:
Emily Dodds
Emily Dodds, founder of Immaculate Home, is a leader in luxury home management, a former R.N., equestrian, and passionate advocate for women’s empowerment—above all, she’s a proud mother to Dylan.
Chase Bonhag
Chase Bonhag was raised in Traverse City and is currently the CEO of FirstIgnite, an AI powered business intelligence tool used by over 75 universities on 5 continents. Prior to FirstIgnite, Chase worked for the University of Illinois system, helping invest in and commercialize the most promising technologies out of their $700M/year research portfolio. Later he joined TechNexus, a venture capital fund focused on making seed stage investments on behalf of corporations where he focused on investing in deep tech aligned with our corporate partners strategy.
Nick Olsen
A Traverse City native and recent boomerang, Nick is passionate about building 3rd Spaces (1st: Home; 2nd: Work; 3rd: the space where you find community and connection). He is a partner in ELEV8 Climbing and Fitness, a partner in Grand Traverse Social Sports, and is looking to give the social, mental, and physical health benefits of saunas and cold plunges to communities around Michigan.
Bradley Matson
A Northern Michigan native, Bradley brings over 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship and ecosystem building across North America. He began his journey with Startup Tucson and City Recess, in Arizona, before returning to Michigan in 2013 to establish CoWharf, Traverse City’s first coworking space, and launch the inaugural TC Startup Weekend in collaboration with Northwestern Michigan College and Techstars. In 2016, Bradley founded Beta Batch, the area’s first startup accelerator, which graduated Chompler, a local food delivery venture. In 2017, he joined Namastay, a hospitality tech company in Montreal, eventually leading their first U.S. office in Miami Beach. Bradley has also served as a startup mentor with WeWork Labs and the Maritime Blue Accelerator Program in Seattle. In 2020, he returned to Michigan to work with Northern Michigan Angels, now works as a cofounder and advisor to Earthly After and is a Senior Program Manager with Spartan Innovations, supporting the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, founders, and investors.
Vernon Lalone
Born and raised in Northern Michigan, Vernon returned to the Traverse City area after 15 years of academic and industry R&D experience, including 3 years at Imperial College London. His deep connection to Northern Michigan drives his commitment to the region’s rapidly growing innovation ecosystem through Wave Lumina.
Jamie Kramer
Jamie Kramer, Founder and CEO, with expertise in marketing and public relations and an uncanny ability to discern stories that matter. Transitioning from a vibrant history in entertainment journalism, where she maneuvered effortlessly through radio, TV news, and content creation, she now brings a narrative finesse to Earthly After. Jamie’s prowess lies in drawing audiences, creating narratives that both engage and enlighten.
Josh Hart
Josh Hart is a native of Northern Michigan, hailing from Gaylord, MI. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from The University of Olivet, where he excelled on the football field and served as the president of the nationally renowned Insurance and Risk Management program. With a strong foundation in academia and sports, Josh embarked on a 15-year journey within the Insurance Industry, taking on diverse leadership roles around the country. In 2019, he made the decision to return to Northern MI and settle in Traverse City, where he is working to establish deep roots in the community.
As the world grappled with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Josh reevaluated his career path and decided to transition from the insurance sector to pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions. He founded his present ventures, Riley’s Candles, and the “Riley Foundation,” both named in honor of his beloved 14-year-old Beagle, Riley. The overarching mission of these social impact organizations is to raise funds for dogs in dire need of life-saving surgeries, who might otherwise face euthanasia due to the financial constraints of their owners.
These individuals reflect the entrepreneurial spirit driving this year’s Northern Michigan Startup Week: rooted in local pride, bold ideas, and a shared commitment to growth. Stay tuned as we spotlight even more members of the team and gear up for an unforgettable week of collaboration, learning, and inspiration.
Want to get involved or attend an event? Visit www.nmsw.co for more details on Northern Michigan Startup Week.
