I’m hosting a new course introducing the fundamentals of creating and managing effective startup programs and fostering vibrant entrepreneur communities
I’m excited to announce that I’m launching a new online course for anyone that wants to learn more about creating, managing and growing startup programs and entrepreneur communities.
The course will be discussion based and hosted by me. I’m only accepting limited participants in this first test iteration so register now to avoid missing out.
A few of things we will cover include: Introduction to various startup program models, designing bespoke startup programs, program business models and partnerships, attracting investors and startup investment, building mentor communities, case studies, and guest speakers.
This is for you if you’re a community manager, program manager, educator, operations staff and even investors and back office staff that want to learn more about these types of programs.
Register now: https://forms.gle/YPeCRYcKzVF2D3iP9
Why now?
As startup accelerators, incubators and entrepreneurship programs proliferate across universities and organisations, I’ve noticed lots of dedicated people entering the ‘entrepreneur/startup supporter’ space, but very little high-quality education out there for these new jobs.
It’s important to help these startup supporters also be able to level-up.
I’ve also noticed:
- The most valuable conversations I’ve had have been discussions with groups of program staff
- Startup accelerator/incubator/program staff all face similar challenges and roadblocks within our organisations
- The core principles of good startup support programs are the same but we can benefit immensely by sharing what works in our contexts, fresh-thinking and unique perspectives
While there is no official rule-book in this space (yet), best practice has started to emerge and there are similar qualities across the very best startup accelerators and programs.
This course will be an introduction to running excellent startup programs and distilling what I know and what I’ve learnt.
The details
What is the format?
All delivered live online via group video discussion and presentation. Mixture of content and theory, discussions topics and guest speakers
- Short form: 3 hour online masterclass, or
- Long form: 2–3 hours online workshop per week over 4 weeks, or
- Offline version? — open to an offline version for teams, please get in touch.
Dates
From July with more dates to be announced. Register to stay up to date.
Cost
TBD. The first test run will be free, but only to people that register.
Register now: https://forms.gle/YPeCRYcKzVF2D3iP9
Who is this for? (aka. The Rise of the ‘Startup Supporter’)
While the most intense focus is generally on the founders of new businesses, followed by the high-profile investors, there is a third category that I think goes underserved — ‘startup supporters’. Supporters come in all sorts of flavours from the mentors that volunteer time, the program staff of accelerators, to the back office staff of venture funds. They exist to run the organisations, who in turn help founders excel and defy the odds.
In the startup ‘industry’, supporters makes up a huge chunk of the ecosystem and they’re vitally important. Thus, helping them level-up so that we can create more and better entrepreneurs is vital.
Startup supporters include:
- Industry startup program Directors, Managers and Associates
- University/Education Staff, Educators, Operations Staff, Commercialisation Staff
- Venture Capital and private equity staff and associates
- Family offices and wealth managers that want to learn more about how to support entrepreneurs
- Importantly, this is a global course and welcome to all — sign up and tell me where you’re from!
Who am I?
I’m lucky enough to have spent nearly 7 years building startup programs and supporting hundreds of early-stage startup founders and meeting with thousands of new entrepreneurs. I co-founded one of the first university-based startup accelerator programs in Asia Pacific, INCUBATE at Sydney University, which has grown to now one of the largest and in the process helped kickstart programs across 5 universities in Australia.
I’m now launching a new type of seed fund, Galileo, and consult to organisations directly at the intersection of startups, education and innovation. I also teach a subject on building global technology companies at the University of Sydney.
Example outline/topics I want to cover:
- Introduction to the entrepreneur support pyramid
- Startup programs, accelerators and incubators: What are they, how they work and do they work?
- Startup program core principles: attracting good founders, funding, program and mentors
- Introduction to a customer development mindset for program managers
- Building a thriving mentor community — mentor best practice and structure
- Case study: startup from idea to first customer and fundraising
- Online group discussions around problems participants face
If you’re interested in this post you should sign up for my personal newlsetter discussing things at the intersection of technology, education and startups.
While you’re here
More articles from me.
https://medium.com/@jralexander/australia-should-fund-1bn-towards-creating-jobs-in-new-industries-6b9811429384
https://medium.com/@jralexander/australia-should-fund-1bn-towards-creating-jobs-in-new-industries-6b9811429384
https://medium.com/@jralexander/australia-should-fund-1bn-towards-creating-jobs-in-new-industries-6b9811429384
