Follow along the ups and downs of six young Venture for America fellows this February
By Lisa Reznik
The struggles and triumphs of six recent college graduates who put everything on the line to build startups in Detroit are the makings of the new documentary by two women directors in Generation StartUp.
Andrew Yang started Venture for America in 2011 to build a bridge between ambitious college graduates and start-up companies throughout the country. The program’s mission appealed to a number of college graduates who quickly became Venture for America Fellows.
When New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) member Susan Margolin and Cheryl Houser heard Yang speak about the program he founded two years earlier, they were inspired to follow several Venture for America Fellows launching or joining startups in Detroit in their fascinating documentary.
“Hearing Andrew speak was a catalyst. He’s a dynamic speaker and a visionary,” reflected Margolin, who executive produced the film. Houser has a connection to Venture for America through her son, who was a Fellow. Houser co-directed the film with Cynthia Wade, who won an Academy Award for the HBO documentary short Freeheld. (Freeheld received a grant from NYWIFT and was eventually adapted into the 2015 dramatic feature of the same name starring Ellen Page and Julianne Moore.)
Shot mostly in Detroit over 17 months, Generation StartUp takes an honest look at what it takes to launch a start-up. The filmmakers focus on a diverse group of recent college grads and capture the spirit of a certain kind of millennial go-getter with interesting stories to tell.
Andrew Yang, himself an entrepreneur and the author of Smart People Should Build Things, sought to create the means to connect ambitious recent college graduates to start-ups that were innovative, and at the same time, help to revitalize cities like Detroit and St. Louis. Yang started Venture for America with some of his own money as well as support from individuals and corporations. Charitable arms of major companies support the non-profit and serve on its Board of Directors.
There are 170 Fellows in the most recent class. The chosen candidates are high-performing recent college graduates who could probably make three times the salary working in a more traditional setting. Two-year fellowships begin with a five-week training program led by leaders in a variety of industries.
The Venture for America application process includes an intense group screening interview with startup founders, corporate executives, and other industry leaders looking for resourceful team players and critical thinkers who exhibit leadership qualities. Those selected to enter the program will wear many hats and each have unique experiences.
Fellow Connie Bowen described her experience at a start-up as offering opportunities to do a lot. “I’m getting a bird’s eye view of what’s happening in the agriculture-technology industry, and learning what it’s like to work for a new company,” she said.
Bowen explained that the venture capital firm Yield Lab is one of the first agriculture innovators and ideally located in St. Louis, near the heart of U.S. farmlands. This start-up funds urban agriculture with the goal of introducing more farm-produced products into the food supply chain through innovative food science.
Bowen described her job as a typical one for a recent college graduate. A normal day includes networking, conducting research, raising funds, performing due diligence on companies that apply for funding, and monitoring social media. Bowen said she finds being in St. Louis a positive experience so far and considers this Midwestern city largely underrated. She notes St. Louis has more plant scientists than anywhere else in the world.
Venture for America Fellow Connie Bowen
According to Forbes, nine of out ten start-ups fail so when one is successful, it means the entrepreneur has been able to do something that 90% of new businesses haven’t – daunting odds. The early success and potential of Venture for America inspired producer Margolin, herself an entrepreneur in film distribution, to share the story. “It’s an amazing program that exceeds expectations,” she said.
“Venture for America will help me transition to another role as an entrepreneur for sure,” Bowen said with confidence. My company is expanding at break-neck pace, and being a part of that is teaching me a lot too.”
Directed by Cynthia Wade and Cheryl Houser, Generation StartUp will be screened by the Film Society of Summit, NJ, on February 10th, at 8 pm. Susan Margolin and Cheryl Houser will lead post-screening Q + A.
See Generation StartUp at the Film Society of Summit:
Saturday, February 10th at 8 pm
MONDO Summit
426 Springfield Avenue
Summit, NJ 07901
summitfilm@gmail.com
973.885.1983
Tickets are $12 in advance, $14 at the door
NYWIFT member discount: $10
Lisa Reznik has written and directed three award-winning short films. A firm believer in the power of film to educate and connect people on important topics, Lisa founded the Film Society of Summit (NJ) in 2012, a non-profit organization that screens independent films followed by discussion with the filmmakers.