Webinar & Expert Podcast Topic: Identifying & Defining the Problem You’re Solving
‍
Key Takeaways:

• Techniques for effective customer discovery, interviews, and observational research.
• How to define & frame your problem effectively for different audiences.
• Defining the social impact and/or financial value of the problem you're addressing.

‍Exercises & Resources:

• Customer discovery survey template.
• Problem statement exercise
• Customer interview scripts and tracking sheet

 Reference Texts: The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick, The Lean Startup by Eric Ries

Why This Is Critical: The success of any venture depends on solving a real, pressing problem. By understanding your customers and validating your solution, you’ll minimize risk and build a product or service that truly addresses market needs.

Webinar & Expert Podcast Topic: Developing the Entrepreneurial Mindset
‍
Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the mindset that successful entrepreneurs and social impact leaders share.
• Techniques for overcoming fears, imposter syndrome, and decision paralysis.
• Strategies for building emotional resilience and sustaining motivation.

‍Exercises & Resources:

• Beliefs, values & goals exercise
• Daily founder mindset journal template
• Strategies for building emotional resilience and sustaining motivation.

 Reference Texts: Grit by Angela Duckworth, Learned Optimism by Dr. Martin Seligman, Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins

Why This Is Critical: The entrepreneurial journey is filled with challenges, setbacks, and uncertainty. A strong founder mindset ensures resilience and perseverance, helping you bounce back from failures and stay committed to your vision.

Webinar & Expert Podcast Topic: Defining Your Ideal Customer & Building Early Sales Funnel
‍
Key Takeaways:

• Identifying market needs, pain points, and gaps.
• How to build your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) for both for-profit and impact-driven ventures.
• Intro to early sales funnel concepts: why it matters and how to get started.

‍Exercises & Resources:

• Competitor analysis template
• ICP worksheet: Define your ideal customer segments
• Early sales funnel organizer

 Reference Texts: Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore, Obviously Awesome by April Dunsford, The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton Christensen

Why This Is Critical: Without clearly understanding who your customer is, you risk wasting time and money trying to sell to the wrong audience. A strong ICP and early sales funnel give you a roadmap to build targeted marketing and sales strategies that convert.

• Introduction to basic fundraising concepts & sources.
• Why understanding your sales process early is critical for growth and securing funding.
• A preview of the next phase: We’ll dive deeper into creating an actionable sales strategy and preparing for fundraising!

Why This Is Critical: Early-stage ventures need a strong sales foundation and an understanding of funding pathways to scale. Getting a grip on these concepts now prepares you for sustainable growth and future fundraising efforts.

• Weekly 60-minute 1-on-1 private coaching sessions.

Why This Is Critical: Getting individualized feedback and an experienced perspective to guide you early on can save you months of struggle and discouragement. Our coaching sessions aren't just improvised conversations where you ask us questions - they are structured with goals to ensure we are working together to push you and your venture forward.

Webinar & Expert Podcast Topic: Building an Effective Marketing & Sales Strategy
‍
Key Takeaways:

• Identifying key marketing channels for your audience.
• Understanding your marketing metrics and how to set goals.
• Creating an effective sales funnel for conversion.

‍Exercises & Resources:

• Marketing funnel organizer
• Sales process design template
• Marketing metrics tracker

 Reference Texts: Traction by Justin Mares & Gabriel Weinberg, The Challenger Sale by Brent Adamson & Dixon Matthew, Made to Stick by Chip & Dan Heath

Why This Is Critical: A well-defined marketing and sales strategy is essential for converting leads into customers. Knowing your funnel metrics ensures you're optimizing for growth while spending your marketing dollars wisely.

Webinar & Expert Podcast Topic: Business Models & Budgeting for Growth
‍
Key Takeaways:

• Understanding business model fundamentals (for-profit and social impact).
• Early-stage financial planning and budgeting strategies.
• Learning basic VC math and funding options.

‍Exercises & Resources:

• Business Model Canvas template & walkthrough
• Early-stage budget template
• VC math and fundraising organizer template

 Reference Texts: Business Model Generation by Alexander Osterwalder

Why This Is Critical: A strong business model and early-stage financial planning are the foundation for attracting investors/funders and driving sustainable growth. By understanding your financials, you can make informed decisions about scaling and funding.

Webinar & Expert Podcast Topic: Preparing for Funding & Early Talent Planning
‍
Key Takeaways:

• Preparing your pitch deck and refining your value proposition.
• Early-stage budget & revenue projections.
• Introduction to recruitment strategies & leveraging FT / PT / Contract workers.

‍Exercises & Resources:

• Pitch deck template
• Team goals & values exercise
• Hiring & recruitment plan template

 Reference Texts: Pitch Anything by Oren Klaff, Who: A Method for Hiring by Geoff Smart & Randy Street

Why This Is Critical: Preparing for funding and hiring the right team at the right time are pivotal for long-term success and sustainability.

• Weekly 60-minute 1-on-1 private coaching sessions.
• Live pitch session - participants will pitch their venture to the program lead and VC / funders for real-time feedback.

Why This Is Critical: Pitching is an essential skill for any founder seeking funding. Real-time feedback from investors helps you refine your pitch and identify the key factors that can make or break your chances of securing investment.