Get in the door at FORGE: It could take you to Google, Venture Valley and more
FORGE Ahead Resident Startup PackDash awarded $100,000 by Google Startups Black Founders Fund: How Vulnerability Got Packdash in the Door at Google
PackDash Founders Dave DiCosola and Kameron Norwood
"Be vulnerable,” is Kameron Norwood’s advice to other startup entrepreneurs. That advice can be uncommon in the world of startups but it paid off for Norwood. One of the co-founders of FORGE Ahead resident PackDash, Norwood has been named one of 50 founders selected for the Google Startups Black Founders Fund. “We were awarded one hundred thousand dollars for our business,” said Norwood. “It's really exciting. On top of that it comes with Google credits and ad services, and it comes with some really cool, networking opportunities.” In the U.S., where less than one percent of venture capital goes to black founders, this kind of access to capital and support is critical.
Born and raised in Tucson, Norwood earned his degree from the University of Arizona. After graduating, he moved to Chicago to start his career and met his future business partner Dave DiCosola. When DiCosola married a Tucson native, it was the right time to expand business operations to Tucson.
Their company, PackDash, provides multi-channel fulfillment services to e-commerce brands, helping those brands grow and succeed with premium, personalized, and cost-efficient service.
“PackDash is a business created from a necessity we had with our first business, an e-commerce brand,” said Norwood. “It just became a paralyzing and terrible experience for us...."
Get a Behind the Scenes Look at the Histories and Mysteries of FORGE at Roy Place
This Thursday, we are going behind the scenes at FORGE for a special Curiosity Club presentation. Join us for coffee and a unique tour of FORGE at Roy Place. We'll be talking about how this building, designed by famed local architect Roy Place, was painstakingly renovated to bring back its history and serve as a hub for entrepreneurial activity in downtown Tucson. Check out the hidden symbols in the member entryway, tour our upstairs Hub and get a sneak preview into upcoming programs. Afterward, participants are invited for complimentary co-working in the Hub. Stick around for our no-host "hublunch" and a gift certificate drawing with the FORGE crew.
Did you catch Singleton Foundation CEO Shelley Miles on FORGE Fireside?
If you missed FORGE Founding Director, Brian Ellerman’s interview with Shelley Miles about the foundation's work to build up financial literacy and their upcoming Venture Valley Game Tournament in Tucson, be sure to catch the replay here!
FYI - spots are going FAST for the Venture Valley Tournament. Make sure you register HERE for your chance to win.
You never know when an idea as cheap as cereal will turn out to be as important as breakfast!
It's practically the entrepreneurs' creed: Ideas are cheap. Know what else is cheap? Cereal. There aren't always five Thursdays in a month, but when there are, let's get together to share both. Grab a friend and get ready to pitch your craziest, half-baked ideas in an informal setting in front of a supportive crowd (no deck necessary). This month BlueStone Venture Partners Managing Director Andrew More and Manager of Research Chris Burwell will join us to share some of the wildest pitches they have seen and heard.
Afterward, connect with BlueStone Venture Partners in the upstairs FORGE Hub for one on one advice.
The Tank Goes Live - Shark Tank 14th Season Premiere Watch Party
We’re celebrating America's entrepreneurs reaching their potential, leading and accelerating their businesses and supporting their families and communities with a special Shark Tank watch party at the Honors Village. While we know that the lessons of entrepreneurship are more involved than what gets shown in sixty minutes on television, this is a great opportunity to connect, have fun and learn along the way! We’ll be providing free food and information about resources available for Arizona’s sharks and how growing your venture idea is something you can start today. No camera crew needed!
Upcoming Events
Thursday, September 22 - Curiosity Club
Friday, September 23 - FORGE Shark Tank Premiere
Thursday, September 29 - FORGE Cereal Entrepreneurs
Thursday, September 29 - Startup Tucson Startup 101 - Oro Valley Edition
Friday, September 30 - Creative Mornings TUC: Depth with Becky Pallack
Friday, September 30 - FORGE Venture Valley Tournament & Venture Expo
Thursday, October 13 - Campus Spotlight - TIMESTEP