CO.STARTERS - StartupGP

Innovation & Startups

Consider attending CoStarters…

What you will learn:

Identify and define real problems to solve
Deeply understand who your customers are
What products, services or experiences you can create for them
How to start a viable new business

Admission Requirements

As a life-long learner, you aspire or are willing to acquire the following:

Open to learning & feedback
Open & critical thinking
Initiative with follow-through
Capacity for calculated risk
Focus on community

How to apply

Call now (309) 495-5910

If the line is busy, please call again.

Or email us at startupgp@startupgp.org to schedule a time to meet.

Aug 26 – Nov 11, 2019

What is CO.STARTERS?

CO.STARTERS is a program that helps new business owners build a community around local businesses. It is a nine-week program equips aspiring entrepreneurs with the insights, relationships, and tools needed to turn business ideas into action.

Who’s It For?

Local & Main Street Businesses:

Convenience stores & Franchises
Dry cleaners, Hair salons & Spas
Farmers Markets & Restaurants
Internet, Web development & Technology businesses
Small Manufacturing & Professional Services
(e.g., Accounting & Tax preparation business, etc.)
Small wholesalers and many others…

Key Outcomes

Identifying assumptions about why and how your businesses will work
Talk to customers to discover problems they need you to solve
Rapidly uncover flaws in your concepts and processes
Learn and uncover viable business models

Curriculum

Week 1: Knowing Yourself (Assumptions, Working Styles, Team Building, Obstacles)

Week 2: Knowing Your Customer (Problem, Solution, Benefit, Competition, Advantage, Customer)

Week 3: Getting the Relationship Right (Marketing & Message; Getting, Keeping & Growing Customers)

Week 4: Building the Model to Scale (Starting Small, Distribution, Revenue, Typical Sale, Price)

Week 5: Strengthening Your Structure (Business Structures, Licenses, IP, Hiring)

Week 6: Discovering the Bottom Line (Startup & Ongoing Needs, Fixed & Variable Costs, Break-Even Point)

Week 7: Accounting for Growth (Break-Even Point, Sales Projections, Cash Flow, Accounting)

Week 8: Planning for the Future (Raising Capital, Growth Plans, Goal Setting, Pitch Prep)

Week 9: Pitch Night/Sharing Your Story

Tuition

$300 per participant

includes:

One-on-one innovation consulting
Customer and behavioral insights analysis
6 month scholarship for co-working space
Talent development assistance
Business location and expansion assistance
Incentives and credits (e.g. Opportunity zones, etc.)