Beginning a new Startup Grind Chapter is a startup enterprise unto itself. So why would local entrepreneur Shilpi Sharma tackle this challenge in addition to her duties as COO of Kvantum Inc.? Well, if you’ve heard the term “serial entrepreneur,” then you’ll understand what makes people like Shilpi tick. When life presents a problem, it is second nature for her to solve it. When Shilpi found her East Bay home of Fremont lacking in networking resources for startups, she did the only natural thing — she jumped into the solution head-first! As Shilpi’s partner in this particular enterprise, we’d like to share her vision and goals for the new Fremont Chapter.

City of Fremont: What was the impetus for Startup Grind Fremont?

Shilpi Sharma: Two years ago when I was starting a company, I’d meet many entrepreneurs in Fremont. While we all had gone through the similar challenges, the main differentiator that made us survive appeared to be mentorship and network. I had mentors, but not everyone was so lucky. You can have a great idea, but without support it can be difficult to deliver. Fremont is my home, and it’s also the home for many other startups, so it made sense to start something here. I am passionate about connecting people to resources, and as chapter director, I am now in the position to help others tap into an existing network. Eventually, this network will integrate key people, industries and local initiatives into a broader public/private discussion to spur innovation. It’s important that we are all connected and know what’s going on first-hand.

Fremont: What is the value for attendees beyond the obvious networking opportunities?

SS: There are many places to go to connect with other entrepreneurs, but few places that also connect you with your local community. East Bay attendees will feel at home in our chapter. Let’s face it, proximity is important when looking for partners, be it co-working spaces, co-founders, mentors or angel investors. There will also be more synergy between participants and speakers when they share a personal base.

Fremont: Speaking of speakers, what can we expect for next year’s lineup? (This year’s speakers are top notch!)

SS: For next year, we will add local leaders, in addition to founders, to more broadly highlight great work that’s going on whether in a startup or a corporate environment. Maybe we’ll even tap leaders from the public sector! The main focus will be on sharing experiences and important decisions from the early stages of a venture, and the challenges that were overcome across different industry verticals. Entrepreneurs often have multiple ideas they are pursuing at once, so it’s helpful to hear from many different avenues to enhance decision making in these different domains.

Fremont: What kind of sponsors are you looking for to support Startup Grind Fremont?

SS: I expect our sponsors to mostly fall into two categories — companies that provide basic services for young companies (legal, accounting, banking, etc.) as well as companies that provide services for the growing enterprise (marketing, consulting, and other tools). I also think there are opportunities for companies that are looking to increase “intrapreneurship” — nurturing their existing employee base to harness innovation.

Fremont: What does a typical event look like?

SS: These are three-hour events (6 – 9 p.m.). They start and end with networking, and have an interactive fireside chat in the middle. There will be time for questions and answers, and the dialogue is also enhanced through Twitter. After the formal program, speakers are often available to answer more questions from guests.

Fremont: What has the initial response been so far?

SS: Initially, I was very encouraged by the City of Fremont being willing to partner with me on this endeavor. The City’s attitude toward innovation initiatives is important for the community. Since going public, we’ve generated a lot of excitement. People want to be a part of the local startup community, and they understand that meeting new people brings new perspectives.

Fremont: In addition to attending events, how else can people get involved?

SS: We have several volunteer roles on our leadership team that we are looking to fill, including outreach/social media manager and events manager. We also need “ambassadors” to help connect with participants and bring back ideas.

Fremont: Any final thoughts?

SS: Having regular events is the first step in building an innovation ecosystem. I’m hoping that more opportunities for education and training will evolve as the network grows. But in the meantime, we can’t wait for our first event in September. I would love to have more people join this initiative. Send your thoughts and ideas to shilpi@startupgrind.com