Prepare for Takeoff
Questions you’ll answer:
- How do I take my business ideas and make them a reality?
- What resources do I need to launch my business?
- What kind of people do I need to make the business a success?
Dilemmas you’ll face:
- How do I obtain the necessary resources and under what terms?
- How do manage all of the critical tasks of launching a business without losing focus on satisfying customers?
- Should I sell more equity to raise money or risk running out of cash?
Topics you’ll cover:
- How do I distinguish the new business necessities from the non-essentials?
- Am I going to need a partner?
- What type of investors will I need?
The Launch course provides an overview of the process of launching an entrepreneurial business and teaches specific techniques (pro forma financial projections, valuation, term sheets, deals, etc.) used in the process. By the end of the Launch course, your students will be able to respond to the following challenge: How do I take my business idea and make it a reality?
The three key “operational” questions of the Launch course are:
- What? What resources do I need to launch my business? Although the amount of cash needed to launch the business will be a constant question, it is not the only resource most start-ups need. People and deals with other companies are often required.
- How? How do I obtain those resources? Under what terms should I obtain the needed resources (especially cash)?
- Who? What type of people do I need to work in the business? Do I need a partner? What type of investors do I need?
Priorities: The launch stage is absolutely chaotic. Learning how to sort out the “must do” items from the “can wait” and “nice to have, but not essential” tasks is a key skill entrepreneurs must develop to successfully navigate the launch phase.