STARTUP SUMMER SCHOOL
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR WEDNESDAYS
JUNE 5-JULY 31, 12-1:30 PM
Have an idea? Do you crave to build something? Join us, each Wednesday this summer, for a semester of Startup School. Learn from the best in the industry about what it looks like to start your own company and how to do it well.
8 classes taught by the best in the industry, 8 lunches, and invaluable networking.
JUNE 5, 12-1:30 PMINTRO TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP Many people think entrepreneurship is glamorous. Truth is, entrepreneurship is hard. Really, really hard. While it can be an incredible experience – the opportunity to build a better future, being in control of who you work with and how you work while experiencing the direct connection between effort and results, you must be prepared for the journey. This class will be all about starting off and what to expect. JUNE 12, 12-1:30 PM CUSTOMER DISCOVERY What will take your startup to the next level in terms of acquisition and revenue lie in this very important practice. What your end users want and need are sometimes two very different things. Learn how to focus on what provides immediate value for “Earlyvangelists” of your product or service, and how to make this an ongoing part of your business model. JUNE 19, 12-1:30 PM AGILE DEVELOPMENT/MVP We will explore different agile development methodologies, and how to mold the process for your unique team. We’ll also take a look at building an MVP (minimum viable product) in 2018 — from choosing the technology stack, to leveraging free services, and finally going beyond the minimum. JUNE 26, 12-1:30 PM STARTUP LEGAL It is imperative that a company’s legal affairs are in order, particularly for an emerging growth company that is likely to face increasingly intense due diligence in connection with its capital raises and its ultimate exit event. The session will address the key issues facing startups, provide expert advice on how to avoid and troubleshoot the common pitfalls, and discuss best practices for structuring your startup for longevity and profitability. JULY 10, 12-1:30 PMSALES 101If pursuing sales something new for you, or maybe you have started to get some traction and don’t know what’s next – this session of Summer School is for you! We will provide concrete steps on how to start the sales process as well as information on what to do once the sales start churning. From establishing processes to talking about wise opportunities we will equip you to build your startup on a firm foundation on facts that will lead to success and a thriving company. JULY 17, 12-1:30 PM BRANDING/GO-TO-MARKET Your brand IS your customer’s experience with your company, which is why it’s essential to develop a go-to-market plan that includes customer journeys and empathy mapping before launching. This Branding/Go-To-Market class will introduce you to key concepts and tools that will ensure you are reaching the right people and creating experiences that will drive measurable growth. JULY 24, 12-1:30 PM PITCHING You have a story, and your audience wants to hear it. Learn how to effectively communicate your journey.JULY 31, 12-1:30 PM FUND YOUR STARTUP Learn the various forms of investment and the Investor & Entrepreneur perspectives for each, to set a foundation for your capital raise. Learn best practices for conducting a capital raise, everything from pitching tips, to valuation discussions, and key metrics to address in order to get the right partners in your round. Lastly, we’ll de-code “venture speak” and see what types of businesses are best funded through venture, bootstrapping, bank loans, grants & the variety of other forms of funding.