SmartStart

The SmartStart program is an excellent resource for anyone with a business idea. Our approach is designed to educate and guide entrepreneurs through the process of validating and growing their idea. You’ll develop essential entrepreneurial skills while building a roadmap that details your business opportunity. After completing the program, you’ll have a solid understanding of what it takes to create a sustainable business.

Course Details

The program involves six separate class sessions, over the course of 6-7 weeks, along with homework outside the class. Each class session lasts for about 2 hours and is typically held after work hours (for example, 5-7pm). The work you complete throughout the course ultimately becomes the content for your pitch deck. To graduate from the SmartStart program, you will pitch your idea to a group of community members.

June SmartStart Class Schedule

Session 1____________________________June 5, 2019

  • Chapter 1: What is your big idea?
  • What is The Problem?
  • Homework: Contact or list at least 5 customers

Session 2___________________________June 12, 2019

  • Chapter 3: where Does Your Idea Fit?
  • Chapter 4: Who is Your Customer?
  • Homework: Contact or list at least 5 customers

Session 3____________________________June 19, 2019

  • Chapter 5: What’s Your Path to Market?
  • Start Preparing Your “Pitch”
  • Homework: Contact or list at least 5 customers

Session 4____________________________June 26, 2019

  • Chapter 6: Where is the Money?
  • Chapter 7: What is Your Competitive Edge?
  • Homework: Contact or list at least 5 customers

Session 5____________________________July 10, 2019

  • Prepare/Practice for Pitch Event
  • Chapter 9: What is Your Story? Your Value Proposition?
  • Additional Content

Session ?___________________________July 17, 2019

  • Extra Session

Session 6___________________________July 24, 2019

  • Prepare/Practice for Pitch Event
  • Chapter 9: What is Your Story? Your Value Proposition?
  • Extra Bonus Topic (depending on team’s need)

**Please note, times and dates will potentially flex to accommodate attendees’ schedules**

Locations: Powerhouse – 101 West Lakeshore Dr, Houghton, MI 49931

Classes will take place on the 3rd floor. Follow the signs once you enter the building. Please park anywhere around the building but your best bet is to park in the west parking lot.

Times: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

(Building doors will be open (unlocked) from 4:45 -5:30 p.m.)

Dress and Food/Drinks:

  • Come as you are! No need to dress-up.
  • Some light snacks may be provided at times. Pop, water, and coffee will be available. Feel free to bring anything you like as well.

Materials:

  • Bring your book and paper/computer/tablet to take notes.
  • Other materials will be provided.

Session topics include:

So What? What’s your idea? What’s the problem? Where does your idea fit?
Who Cares? Who’s your customer? What’s your path to market? Where’s the money?
Why You? What’s your competitive edge? Can you execute? What’s your value proposition?

You’ll get access to experienced business experts (legal, intellectual property, marketing, research, financial) and the guidance of SmartStart Program Director Jason Mack. He provides entrepreneurial coaching to help you develop a business value proposition for your technology ideas. His experience in startup development provides the resources you need to launch your product into the marketplace. Outcomes include:

  • A full understanding of all components of your business – not just your idea
  • Understand how to captivate a market and identify target customers
  • Build the best and most efficient team
  • Develop a financial forecast that incorporates cost, not just revenue
  • Ways to possibly protect your idea through trademarks, copyrights, and patents
  • Confidently present your business proposal to investors
  • When necessary, the ability to create a business plan

Apply:

Anyone with an idea or existing business is welcome to apply. Our mentoring and coaching program welcomes community members, students, researchers, and local business people who are passionate about their ideas. Ideas/businesses do not have to be technology related.

Apply Now

Cost for the program:

$100 per applicant

Tools

Our coaches are certified in the Wendy Kennedy pre-incubation program and provide step-by-step guidance to help you clearly articulate how your technology idea will fill an unmet marketplace need. Coaching materials include:

  • Wendy Kennedy’s, “So What? Who Cares? Why You?” manual
  • Business Model Generation
  • Start-Up Owners Manual
  • A Step-by-Step Guide for Building a Great Company