Founders Circle – Spark

Program Curriculum:

Pre-course Assignment:

• Due: Before Week 1

• Task: Write a 100-word description of a business idea you’re curious about. Answer: What problem does it solve? Who is it for? Why is it exciting? This will kickstart your ideation for the course.

Week 1: Kickoff – Unleashing Your Inner Entrepreneur

• Topics: What is entrepreneurship? Entrepreneur wellness. Ideation techniques.
• Activity: “Idea Blitz” – Pitch wild business ideas in 60 seconds to spark creativity.
• Assignment: Refine your pre-course idea into 3 distinct concepts (due Week 2).

Week 2: Know Your Customer

• Topics: Market research and customer validation.
• Activity: “Customer Quest” – Role-play customer interviews, acting as founders and customers.
• Assignment: Conduct 5 real customer interviews for one idea (due Week 3).

Week 3: Build Your Business Blueprint

• Topics: Lean Business Model Canvas (LBMC) essentials.
• Activity: “Canvas Clash” – Teams compete to draft the best LBMC for a mock startup.
• Assignment: Draft your LBMC for your chosen idea (due Week 4).

Week 4: Pitch Like a Pro

• Topics: Crafting a 30-second pitch (hook, problem, solution, value, call to action).
• Activity: “Pitch Party” – Deliver draft pitches in a fun, game-show-style format with live feedback.
• Assignment: Record a draft 30-second pitch video (due Week 5).

Week 5: Money Talks

• Topics: Revenue models and startup financial basics.
• Activity: “Shark Tank Lite” – Pitch revenue ideas to “investors” (classmates).
• Assignment: Outline your startup’s revenue model and cost structure (due Week 6).

Week 6: Startup Squad Goals

• Topics: Team dynamics and startup roles (e.g., CEO, marketer, developer).
• Activity: “Startup Simulation” – Teams run a mock company, tackling real-world challenges.
• Assignment: Reflect on your role and team dynamics (due Week 7).

Week 7: Marketing for Startups

• Topics: Branding, social media, and low-budget marketing strategies.
• Activity: “Brand Bash” – Create a mini-brand identity (logo, tagline) for your startup idea.
• Assignment: Develop a basic marketing plan for your LBMC (due Week 8).

Week 8: Pitch Prep & Prototype Play

• Topics: Refining pitches and exploring Minimum Viable Products (MVPs).
• Activity: “MVP Madness” – Design a simple prototype (e.g., mockup, flyer, or demo) and practice final pitches.
• Assignment: Finalize your 30-second pitch and LBMC for the Ignite Showcase (due at event).

Ignite Showcase (1-2 Weeks After Course)

• Event: Final presentations and graduation ceremony.
• Details:
  • Deliver your polished 30-second pitch and present your LBMC to a panel of 100state mentors and community members.
  • Celebrate with a networking mixer and receive your “Founders Circle – Ignite” certificate.
• Location: 100state Event Space, Madison, WI.
• Timing: Evening event, date Nov. 20th.