RESOURCES

Resources

At YBI, we believe that the right knowledge can accelerate any venture. Our Resource Hub offers a curated collection of education, insights, and tools to help you start, grow, and lead with confidence.

Startups both pre-portfolio and portfolio can explore entrepreneurship-education materials, thought-provoking blogs, practical startup templates, monthly newsletters, and “Lunch and Learns” from experts and seasoned entrepreneurs.

With YBI Engine, portfolio companies gain VIP access to the next level of resources

Calendar of Events

YBI and our partners host a variety of events, webinars, and hands-on learning opportunities to help startups learn, grow, and thrive. Explore the calendar below to discover upcoming sessions and find the ones that can spark new ideas, build your skills, and move your business forward.

Open Office Hours

“The future is built by those willing to start. Let’s get you started.”

Get valuable, one-on-one time with Jeremy Spaulding, a YBI Entrepreneur-in-Residence, during open office hours for any founder or business leader.

Validate your idea, map out next steps, and learn how to move from concept to launch—book your call with Jeremy here!

Bio

Jeremy is an experienced strategist and entrepreneur focused on turning bold ideas into scalable ventures. With a background in business design, product strategy, and organizational innovation, he thrives at the intersection of creativity and execution. He has led initiatives that translate emerging opportunities into viable business models, guiding teams from concept through launch. Jeremy brings a track record of shaping new markets, building cross-functional collaboration, and accelerating growth in fast-changing environments. His work is driven by curiosity, systems thinking, and a commitment to creating ventures that have meaningful impact

Book Time Here

Lunch and Learns

YBI Engine Lunch & Learn series offers monthly virtual hands-on lectures where experienced tech founders, mentors, and industry experts dive into essential topics like customer discovery, founder-to-customer sales strategies, securing venture capital, and building advanced manufacturing startups.

Designed to spark real growth, these sessions are a great way to pick up actionable insights over your lunch break—and you can watch previous episodes at any time.

Top Classes
-Scott Shane
-Joe Duncko
-Wayne Mackey

For all Lunch and Learns

Pitch Events

Tech Evolution

YBI’s Tech Evolution is a quarterly virtual pitch series that connects innovative Midwest startups with investors from across the country. Hosted by YBI’s EVOLVE Technology Program in partnership with Comeback Capital, the event gives founders a platform to share their vision, build critical investor relationships, and gain exposure beyond the region. For many companies, Tech Evolution has opened doors to funding and opportunities that propel their growth to the next level. Important Note: currently on recess – stay tuned for future pitch announcements.

See previous Tech Evolution Pitch Events

YBI Shark Tank

YBI’s Shark Tank is a dynamic, live pitch competition where regional entrepreneurs present their business ideas before a panel of Celebrity Sharks—seasoned investors, community leaders, and influencers—right in front of a live audience. Beyond spotlighting innovation, the event serves as YBI’s marquee fundraiser: ticket and sponsorship revenues help fund vital services like business counseling, funding guidance, certification support, and access to advanced facilities for early-stage startups

Find out more about Shark Tank

YBI Startup Resource Library

The Startup Resource Library is a one-stop hub designed to equip entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to launch and grow their businesses. Inside, you’ll find startup education materials, curated links to valuable websites and blogs, an archive of our monthly newsletters, ready-to-use templates, and other practical resources.

Whether you’re validating your idea, building your first product, or scaling your company, the library offers easy access to the insights and assets that can help you move forward with confidence.

Education Material (pdf)
– Download Here

Valuable websites (pdf)
– Download Here

Blogs
– Link to page
– Engine Blogs

Monthly Newsletters Archive
– Link to archive

Validation and Discovery Templates
– Financial Template
– Pro Forma
– Lean Canvas
– Customer Discovery Basics
– Market Validation Template
– Competitive Analysis

YBI Resource Vault

The YBI Resource Vault is an exclusive hub for dedicated and engaged portfolio companies, offering free credits, premium tools, and special perks to help founders grow faster and smarter.

Reach out to rkale@ybi.org to unlock the vault!

Connect with the Team

Chandler Fiffick
Senior Director

Rory Kale
Program Manager

Rabidul Islam
Program Coordinator

Ginny Pasha
Ambassador

Troy Rhoades
Ambassador

YBI Internal Grants (Portfolio Only)

YBI Engine offers several internal grants to accepted portfolio companies that help address critical growth needs for startups and entrepreneurs. These grants can be awarded as Full-Scholarships or as Half-Scholarships (requiring company to match funds).

BRITE CXO program

In collaboration with YBI’s network partner BRITE Energy Innovators, entrepreneurs can tap into their well established CXO Program—a mission-driven collective of seasoned founders and executives who work directly inside startups as fractional C-suite leaders. Focused on execution rather than advisory, the program helps companies accelerate growth, reduce fundraising time and burn rate, solve critical challenges faster, and boost sales conversion, all at pricing aligned with BRITE’s nonprofit mission

Sales Development Program

YBI’s Sales Development Program (SDP), powered by our partner Concept, gives selected portfolio companies a focused six-month “sales sprint” to accelerate growth. The program pairs founders with Concept’s expert sales development team—specialists in lead generation, qualification, and nurturing—to build pipelines, secure qualified appointments, and create measurable sales opportunities. Using a proven process that combines multi-channel outreach, customized messaging, and real-time performance tracking, the SDP equips up to four companies per year with the tools, talent, and strategies to open more doors and close more deals, faster.

Elevation Fund

YBI’s Elevation Fund provides select portfolio companies with non-dilutive funding to accelerate key milestones in their growth journey. Designed to remove financial barriers for high-potential startups, the grant can be used for related development, scaling operations, services, etc. The Elevation Fund empowers entrepreneurs to move faster, reduce risk, and position their companies for long-term success.

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