Welcome to the crazy ride of entrepreneurship!
Register for each session belowJUNE 2 – JULY 28, 12:00-1:30 PM
Have an idea? Do you crave to build something? Join us, each Thursday this summer, for a semester of Startup Summer School. Learn from the best in the industry about what it looks like to start your own company and how to do it well.
9 classes taught by the best in the industry. Registration is open now!
INTRO TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP
June 2, 12:00-1:30
Speaker: Umama Kibria
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!
CUSTOMER DISCOVERY
June 9, 12:30-1:30
Speaker: Maxwell Bonnie
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.
CREATING AN MVP
June 16, 12:00-1:30
Speaker: Seth Radman
We will explore how to build an MVP and validate your business hypothesis with customers — from choosing your technology stack, leveraging no code and low-code services, and having a successful product launch. We will also take a look at how to make sure you’re building the right product through feedback and data from customers.
MARKETING 101
June 23, 12:00-1:30
Speaker: Landon Howell
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.
SALES 101
June 30, 12:00-1:30
Speaker: 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.
CREATING YOUR CULTURE
July 7, 12:00-1:30
Speaker: Alex De Aranzeta
Culture is everything. And in the startup world, a lack of defined culture can negatively impact your success. A Founder is the creator and keeper of how others experience your company. Laying a foundation for your team includes developing a deep understanding of and the ability to articulate your “why”. Learn how to develop a vision, mission statement and guiding principles that can help you lead and align your team with focus and passion.
LEGAL 101
July 14, 12:00-1:30
Speaker: Will Grossenbacher
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.
FUNDING 101
July 21, 12:00-1:30
Speaker: 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.
PITCHING
July 28, 12:00-1:30
Speaker: 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.