For Entrepreneurs and
Students Learning Entrepreneurship
Students Learning Entrepreneurship
Customer Discovery Bootcamp
Designed for both Community and Student Entrepreneurs
Most technology startups fail. Why? They start executing before they have a sound business model. What about you? Have you discovered a scalable and profitable business model yet?
Startup Gauntlet uses
Customer Discovery
and the
Business Model Canvas
to create your compelling business model.
After this 6-week intensive program, you will have identified the core of your business model - your customer segment and value proposition. Or you may discover there isn't one. That's OK too. Better to find out now than after spending years and a fortune only to find out you were wrong.
Only entrepreneurs accepted into the program can attend.
No observers. No press. No lurkers.
How does it work?
(1) Six-week intensive program. You should commit to attend every week.
(2) Each week, make hypotheses about your business model.
(3) Design tests to prove or disprove each hypothesis.
(4) Collect data and analyze the results.
(5) Update your business model canvas based on what you have learnt.
(6) Present your findings to the teaching team and get thoroughly thrashed.
(7) Repeat.
"There are no facts in the building!" You will be expected to talk to at least 10 potential customers each week. Don't do this program if you're afraid of hard work or you will be humiliated.
Remember, investors and prospects will never tell you your business model sucks. But we will!
Note: Each session will have a maximum of 12 teams.
FAQ
q) Does everyone who signs up get to attend?a) Most will. We have a secret selection criteria we won't tell you about.
q) Is there any cost to attend?
a) Just your pride. It is free to attend.
q) I haven't built my MVP yet or don't have my first customer. Is that OK?
a) Customer Discovery should be done BEFORE you have an MVP or customers. Otherwise you are just making guesses. Find your customers and what value you can bring before building prototypes, running pilots, etc.
q) Are you going to yell at me?
a) Almost certainly.
q) Can I go through the program by myself?
a) Customer Discovery works best for teams of 2 or 3. However, many solo entrepreneurs have completed the program succesfully.
q) Can I bring my business partner/advisor/mom?
a) Max three people on your team can attend. Nobody else. Leave your lawyer at home. No advisors or mentors either.
q) Are there going to be refreshments?
a) Yes. There are vending machines down the hall. Bring quarters.
q) Do I send my presentation in advance?
a) Yes, we will set up a dropbox folder and give you access
q) How long does each meeting last?
a) About 2 hours. Pre-caffeinate for best results.
Other questions? Send an email.
