Startup Secrets: Have You Got What It Takes?
You’ve got the idea, but have you got what it takes? This session explores what you can expect when starting and building your own company. Who else do you need to complement you? Is your vision an idea, a feature, a product or a company? You’ll be able to evaluate whether you’ve got something that’s real enough to invest your life in and whether your experience, knowledge and skills uniquely qualifies you to pursue this opportunity. Guest speakers include Gail Goodman (Constant Contact), Jon Hirschtick (SolidWorks and OnShape), and Stephan Schambach (Demandware).
The Harvard Innovation Lab (i-lab) is an initiative of Harvard University designed to foster entrepreneurship and innovation. It provides resources, support, and programs for students, alumni, and the broader community interested in starting and growing businesses.
“Startup Secrets: Have You Got What It Takes?” suggests a discussion or presentation about entrepreneurship and what it takes to succeed as a startup founder. Such discussions often cover a wide range of topics, including:
- Idea Generation: How to come up with innovative and viable business ideas.
- Team Building: The importance of assembling a strong and complementary team.
- Market Research: Understanding your target market, customer needs, and competition.
- Funding: Strategies for raising capital, whether through bootstrapping, venture capital, angel investors, or other means.
- Product Development: Turning your idea into a tangible product or service.
- Business Model: Defining your revenue model and pricing strategy.
- Marketing and Sales: How to attract and retain customers.
- Legal and Regulatory Considerations: Addressing legal issues, patents, and compliance.
- Scaling: Strategies for growing your business.
- Failure and Resilience: How to navigate challenges and setbacks in the entrepreneurial journey.
If you have specific questions or need information on a particular aspect of this topic, please feel free to ask, and I’ll do my best to provide relevant information based on my knowledge up to September 2021.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of potential content for a presentation or discussion titled “Harvard i-lab | Startup Secrets: Have You Got What It Takes?” along with a table of contents:
| Introduction | Welcome and Overview of the Session Importance of Entrepreneurship The Role of Harvard i-lab |
| Idea Generation | The Creative Process Identifying Market Needs Brainstorming Techniques Real-life Success Stories |
| Building Your Team | Team Dynamics Finding Co-founders Complementary Skill Sets Hiring and Partnerships |
| Market Research | Understanding Your Target Audience Analyzing Market Trends Competitive Analysis Tools and Resources |
| Funding Your Startup | Bootstrapping vs. External Funding Venture Capital, Angel Investors, and Crowdfunding Pitching Your Idea Funding Strategies for Different Stages |
| Product Development | Prototyping and MVP (Minimum Viable Product) Iterative Design and Development Testing and Feedback Scaling Your Product |
| Business Model | Defining Your Revenue Streams Pricing Strategies Business Model Canvas Pivot vs. Persevere |
