Jon VerLee

Jon VerLee is the Director of the Calvin Startup Garage at Calvin University, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His role focuses on fostering entrepreneurship among students and professionals by providing resources and support to help them start and scale their own companies. VerLee aims to increase the number of "redemptive companies," which are businesses that prioritize positive social impact alongside profitability.23

Background and Experience

• Entrepreneurial Focus: Jon VerLee has a strong background in entrepreneurship and has previously founded a church management software company, Breeze ChMS, which he sold in 2021. This experience informs his current role, where he guides aspiring entrepreneurs through the startup process.12
• Educational Role: At Calvin University, he is involved not only in directing the Startup Garage but also in teaching and mentoring students interested in entrepreneurship.5

Contributions

VerLee actively shares insights and strategies for startups through various platforms, emphasizing innovative decision-making techniques like the "six thinking hats" method to enhance team collaboration and creativity.1 He is also engaged in community outreach, highlighting the importance of entrepreneurship in Michigan's economic landscape.45

For more detailed insights into his work and philosophy, you can find him on LinkedIn under the username jon-verlee-a42106b4.