Startup Summer School 2021

Have an idea? Do you crave to build something? Each Thursday this summer, you will learn from the best in the industry about what it looks like to start your own company and how to do it well. The Village is all about growing startups in Atlanta. Our mission is to provide FREE training, support, and guidance to entrepreneurs. Let’s do this!

Click the links below to learn more about each virtual session:

JUNE 3, 12-1 PM

Intro to Entrepreneurship with India Hayes

How do you know that entrepreneurship is right for you, your family, and your finances? Starting a business is no joke, especially if you are a first time entrepreneur. It requires a certain level of emotional and business acumen that you need to be prepared for. In this course we will discuss the foundations of entrepreneurship, work through identifying your personal motivations, debunk myths, and talk about the pros and cons of a co-founder. It is vital to have a solid foundation before you start to build!

JUNE 10, 12-1 PM

Customer Discovery with Jon Harmer

What will take your startup to the next level in terms of acquisition and revenue? 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 17, 12-1 PM

Creating an MVP with Don Pottinger

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 24, 12-1 PM

Marketing 101 with Alan Woodruff

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 1, 12-1 PM

Sales 101 with David Kurkjian

If pursuing sales is 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 8, 12-1 PM

Creating Your Culture with Megan Mountain

Culture is king and in the world of startups, a lack of defined culture can negatively impact your success. A Founder is the creator and keeper of how others experience your company. Laying down a foundation for your team includes a deep understanding of and the ability to articulate your “why”. Learn how to develop a vision, mission statement, and core values, as well as how to not just manage your team, but lead them with focus, passion, and alignment.

JULY 15, 12-1 PM

Startup Legal with Nick Foreste

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 22, 12-1 PM

Funding 101 with Kim Seals

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.

JULY 29, 12-1 PM

Pitching with Jacey Lucus

As an entrepreneur, you’re going to have ample opportunities to tell people about the company you’re building, aka, pitch to them!

In this class we we will cover:

What is a pitch?
The importance of defining who to pitch to.
The importance of the format of your pitch.
The importance of the delivery of that pitch
And finally how to make your pitch deck look good!

Whatever stage you're in, our goal is to help you tell your story in the best way possible.

So, we invite you to bring your dreams to the Village each Thursday this summer for virtual Startup Summer School. We can’t wait to see you there!