MESA honored the 2025 graduates of its mentoring program at its Annual Reception on October 29, hosted by Elite Partner BGM. The evening celebrated founders who have transformed their companies—and themselves—through MESA’s structured mentorship model. Each story reflected the program’s enduring mission: to accelerate growth, strengthen leadership, and grow the vitality and size of Minnesota’s software economy.

OfferingTree
Cofounder: Eddie Arpin, MESA Mentee 2021-2025
Mentors: Jeff Eckerle, Chad Eckes

OfferingTree helps boutique studios in the health and wellness space—such as yoga, Pilates, and fitness studios—streamline their operations through an all-in-one SaaS platform. From websites and payments to scheduling and marketing automation, OfferingTree empowers small business owners to focus on what they love most: their clients.

Eddie joined MESA in 2021 as a bootstrapped founder seeking focus and accountability. “Meeting with my mentor every month gave me structure and clarity,” he said. “It forced me to step back, identify our most important goals, and make consistent progress.”

Through his MESA journey, OfferingTree raised angel and follow-on funding, gained strategic direction, and strengthened its growth story.

ProsperStack
Cofounder and CEO: Tony Sternberg, MESA Mentee 2021 – 2025
Mentors: Troy Thibodeau, Scott Brown

ProsperStack helps subscription-based businesses improve customer retention—from onboarding through the entire customer lifecycle. The platform identifies key moments to engage customers and reduce churn, driving measurable improvements in recurring revenue.

ProsperStack launched during the height of COVID, and Tony joined the MESA Mentoring Program in 2021. With guidance from his mentors, he refined his business model, raised a seed round, and learned to scale a growing team. “What’s great about MESA is that mentors are truly independent—they’re just there to help you,” he said. “You can be vulnerable, get honest advice, and accelerate your learning curve.”

His mentors echoed that collaboration. “Every single meeting with Tony sparked new thinking for my own business,” said Troy Thibodeau. “It takes a lot of courage to start and grow a business, and Tony showed humility and courage—two qualities that make great founders.”

Visana Health
Cofounder and CEO: Joe Connolly, MESA Mentee 2021 – 2025
Mentors: Jim Moar, Dustin Bruzenak

Visana Health is a fully virtual healthcare provider specializing in women’s health, delivering specialized care throughout every stage of life. Starting with just an idea, Joe Connolly and his mentors supported Visana as it evolved into a nationally recognized leader, now serving clients such as UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.

To date, Visana has raised $43 million in venture capital. MESA mentoring gave Joe a confidential space to think through CEO-level challenges. Dustin Bruzenak shared, “Being a CEO founder is lonely, and having MESA mentors who are there purely for the founder—not the board or investors—is very distinct.”

Joe’s mentors credit Visana’s rapid success to focus, timing, and passion. “Joe was a sponge—he implemented feedback immediately,” said Dustin. “It’s been amazing to watch his vision for women’s healthcare take off.”

DSP Workplace
Founder and CEO: Matt Fisher, MESA Mentee  2022 – 2025
Mentors: Doug Olsem, Alex Becker

DSP Workplace provides business management tools for last-mile delivery companies, initially focusing on Amazon delivery partners. Founder Matt Fisher identified a critical gap in the market, bootstrapped his company, and built a thriving SaaS business now expanding beyond Amazon to new logistics partners.

Matt’s success is attributed to his openness and adaptability. “He was willing to have open, candid conversations and apply what made sense for his business,” said Jim Moar, MESA President Emeritus and one of Matt’s original mentors.

Fulcrum
Founder and CEO: Sunny Han, MESA Mentee 2021-2025 
Mentors: John Tedesco, Connell Smith

Fulcrum is modernizing manufacturing with a cloud-based platform designed for precision manufacturers. The system replaces legacy software with intelligent automation and an intuitive user experience—helping teams make real-time decisions from the shop floor to the front office.

When Sunny began with MESA, Fulcrum had about $200,000 in revenue. Today, it’s approaching $15 million and continues to grow. “As a solo founder, MESA was like having the co-founders I never had,” Sunny said. “It gave me a place to talk openly, get perspective, and make better decisions.”

Mentor John Tedesco praised Sunny’s drive and vision: “He’s transforming global manufacturing from right here in the Midwest. Working with him has been one of the great privileges of my mentoring career.”

Honoring Growth Through Mentorship 

Each founder’s journey is a testament to the power of mentorship—and the supportive ecosystem MESA fosters. As MESA celebrates these 2025 graduates, the organization looks ahead to welcoming the next generation of innovators who will continue to shape Minnesota’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Congratulations to all of MESA’s 2025 Graduates!