Growth AcademyStartup CurriculumJan 26, 2016

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Growth AcademyDiscovering the startup world

Startup CommonsEntrepreneurship lead innovation is positive and powerful driver to push

societies forward. Startups focus this drive and energy to create and validate new innovations to find solutions for problems at various scale.

Startup Commons Global focus on scaling entrepreneurship and innovation by working with higher education institutions and

governments on local and national levels to empower and enable to develop startup ecosystems with training, knowledge & resources,

startup ecosystem development consulting and digital infrastructure platform to connect, measure & monitor ecosystem activities.

Why?● There is a growing need for knowledge and tools that focus on full startup journey by

connecting methods, tools and knowledge from various stages in systematic manner, along with understanding of the service ecosystems supporting this journey

● Dynamic startup ecosystems breed new startups that create 2/3 of new jobs, attract international talent and foreign direct investments.

● Network connectivity within and between the ecosystems is the single most important contributor to growth.

Growth Academy

Target of Growth Academy training is to increase the volume of entrepreneurship and likelihood of startup success by focusing to

remove or reduce the biggest “universal risks” and to educate about optimal methods and structures that are both strong and

flexible to sustain failures at various levels. And most importantly to provide reasoning and connect background sources and data

to support the knowledge and views provided.

Module I BStartup Advisory & Ecosystem Training

Module ISTARTUP JOURNEY

Module IIFORMATION

Module IIIVALIDATION

Module IVSCALING

Minimum Viable Product

Validate / Iterate (or pivot)

IdeationEntrepreneurial ambition and/or potential scalable product or service idea for a big enough target market. Initial business idea on why and how it would create value. One person or a vague team; no confirmed commitment or no right balance of skills in the team structure yet.

ConceptingDefining mission and vision with initial strategy and key milestones defined for at least next 3 years on how to get there, -> 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 months. Two or three entrepreneurial core co-founders with complementary skills and balanced ownership plan. Maybe have extended team members for additional roles & ownership.

CommitmentCommitted and balanced co-founding team with shared vision and attitude. Able to develop the product or service (Minimum Viable Product) without dependency of uncommitted external resources, or already have initial product or service in place. Shareholder agreement signed between co-founders, including milestones, committed time and money use, for minimum 3 years with vesting terms.

ValidationIterating, validating assumptions until have validated solution to demonstrate initial user growth and/or revenue. Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) identified. Can start to attract additional investment based resources (money or sweat equity) for equity, revenue share or future revenue.

ScalingFocus on growth, showing KPI’s based measurable, growth in user, customer revenue growth and/or market traction in a big or fast growing target market. Can and want to grow fast. May, will or have attracted significant funding or would be able to do so if wanted. Hiring, improving in quality and implementing processes

EstablishingAchieved great growth, that can be expected to continue. Easily attracts financial and people resources. Depending on vision, mission and commitments, will continue to grow and often tries to culturally continue “like a startup". Founders and/or investors make exit(s) or continue with the company.

Lean Startup

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Mission > Vision > Strategy Scale Up

Business Model / Market Fit

● Co-founder team formation● What, to whom? & Why and how? Grow / Expand

-2 -1 30 21

Product / Market FitVision / Founders FitProblem / Solution Fit

STARTUP DEVELOPMENT PHASES

Startup Development Phases document is free to share communication tool to help understand startup journey,

identify key stages and to help develop Startup from "idea to business" and from "founding team to organization" in

balanced and understandable manner.

Growth Academy training modules take a deep dive to discover the startup world through startup development

phases framework. The first two module focus on describing the holistic big picture about the startups, related items and

journey as a whole and the following three modules focus on each of the key parts of this journey, from formation to

validation and to scaling.

-2 0 2

Startup Ecosystem Phases

FORMATION VALIDATION SCALING

With this holistic approach, Growth Academy focus on building a 360 degree understanding about startups and the

journey through various perspectives and connects all relevant startup related topics along with links to further

keywords, resources and tools, for further self learnings and for taking theory to action.

About● normal length of each training module is

about three (3) hours, including actual training presentation & Q&A

● each module and training is designed and presented in a way that modules can be used independently or combined, depending the budgets and target audience and stage of a startup contents of the associated services provided by the organizer in question

● trainings can be video recorded and publishing rights granted for further internal/external use

● training materials can be distributed for the audience and publishing rights granted for further distribution

● a separate workshop can be combined for each of the workshops to further initiate taking the theories to action.

● training modules and workshops can also be expanded to focus on some of the subtopics in more detail or adjust for other variations depending the needs and available budgets.

Startup Adviser & Ecosystem Training

● a parallel educators/advisors (for teachers, mentors, advisors, etc.) training module is available for Module I (I B)

● for other three modules, same base material is used as for broader audience, but the perspective of training, discussion and Q&A is specific for educators/advisors perspective and background information, “why so?” perspectives and about ways and strategies on how to motivate, advise, teach or mentor talent and startups in overall and specific stages and topics

In addition for broader audience and beyond the Module I B, a separate two (2) hour training session can be combined to

for internal training and Q&A for, teachers, advisors or mentors, specifically for advisory and support strategies

methods

Pricingfull package: $18 000 USD

● four 3h trainings for selected target audience

● four 2h advisory training extras● rights to distribute and reuse training

materials for participants ● rights to publish full training materials in

own media channels● training sessions can be video recorded for

further training use● free version updates of training

presentation materials for next 24 months

single module: $2 500 USD

● one 3h training OR 2h advisory training extras

● rights to distribute and reuse training materials for participants

● rights to publish specific module training materials in own media channels

● training session can be video recorded for further training use

Custom or extended versions and workshops

● Ask for details & pricing

Module ISTARTUP JOURNEY

Topics

● General presentation about how startup development phases from formation, to validation, to scaling and key points from each of the stages and between from various perspectives (entrepreneur, team member, mentor, investor etc.)

● key terminology; idea & innovation, entrepreneurship & startups

● key success & failure factors

● about; investors, valuation, advisors & mentors

● how startup stages help in building a venture

● how do investors and others view startups

● how is value build and measured in various phases

● some basic methods & tools● additional learning & tools resources for

self learning

Training targetto give an overview to startups, startup development phases and startup

ecosystems as the “factory” (or funnel). Communicating from various stakeholders perspective, from entrepreneurs point of view, team members

point of view, (team build vs. joining a team), investor's perspective, government's perspective, operative support organization perspective for

holistic view. To help shine light to what are the the most important activities to focus on from each of these perspectives at each of the development phases.

Target audienceAnyone who is interested to have better understanding about startups and the

journey it takes from idea to success and what are the typical failures and pitfalls in between. Specifically suited for those preparing to go into this journey, either by starting a venture or joining a venture already in progress, but also valuable

for those working with with startups or startup related projects and activities, as well as for those looking to potentially start investing to startups, as new business angel, crowdfunding investor or in form of work investing (sweat

equity).

Module I BSTARTUP ADVISORY

& ECOSYSTEM TRAINING

Topics

● General presentation about how startup development phases from formation, to validation to scaling specifically from support role perspective.

● key terminology; idea & innovation, entrepreneurship & startups

● innovation megatrends● why startups?● startup as a category

● understanding & mapping startup ecosystem

● public private partnership● developing startup ecosystem● maturity levels and measures for startup

ecosystems● measuring and collecting valuable data● use of startup data● FAQ’s

Training target & audienceThis extra module is targeted specifically for those that are working closely or

associated with new entrepreneurship and startups, in a direct operative support function or as part of wider role within startup or innovation ecosystem,

from teachers, advisors and mentors and other supporting roles to economic development, designing funding instruments, related policies, attracting foreign

direct investments or developing and managing support organizations or activities. The purpose of this training is to understand innovation and modern

startups in global and local context, along with targets, methods and models for startup services and broader ecosystem development.

Module IIFORMATION

Topics● taking a deeper dive to formation phase,

that is most crucial phase for co-founding team building

● key principles preparing for the journey, what things to focus on and why?

● value of ideas & how to innovate more systematically

● building BIG visions● measuring potential● success & failure factors● Mission, Vision & Strategy● co-founder team building

● idea / team fit● shareholder agreement (SHA) basics● confirming commitment for the journey● problem / solution fit● market timing and journey● planning in short & long term● evaluating opportunities● funding options and strategies at this

stage● methods & tools● additional learning & tools resources for

self learning

Training targetto help understand how to effectively build teams and what tools to use. How

and where to identify potential team members and how to communicate to work on building shared mission and vision. How to find best potential markets to go after and ideas to work with. Aiming BIG visions etc. help align interest.

Finding personal motivations and drivers and ultimately confirming the commitment to capture the initial value with shareholders agreement (SHA).

Target audienceAnyone who is interested to have better understanding about startups and the

journey it takes from idea to success and what are the typical failures and pitfalls in between. Specifically suited for those already decided to go into this journey, either by starting a venture or joining a startup and thinking about or working

with their business idea, team building etc., but also valuable for those working with startups or startup related projects and activities, as well as for those

looking to potentially start investing to startups, as new business angel, crowdfunding investor or in form of work investing (sweat equity).

Module IIIVALIDATION

Topics

● taking a deeper dive to product/service build and validation phase, that is most crucial phase for future revenue and profitability generation

● what things to focus on and why?● defining a product and MVP● defining initial business model

● customer development and feature prioritization

● extended team building and funding options

● validation metrics● methods & tools● additional learning & tools resources for

self learning

Training targetto understand the importance of validation and methods that can be used and

how to build the right KPI’s. What is the change in mindset that needs to happen between previous stage and this phase. Understanding the benefit of MVP

thinking, prioritization framework and tools that can be used for these. While focus in on validating the product/service, this is also part of validating the team

commitments. finding enough customers to be able to validate is enough. Learning to learn. focus on passing through this phase fast. Understanding the

funding opportunities before and after launch.

Target audienceAnyone who is interested to have better understanding about startups and the

journey it takes from idea to success and what are the typical failures and pitfalls in between. Specifically suited for those entering or currently at validation

stages, either as a team member or working with a startup venture at this stage building and validating their product or service, but also valuable for those

working with startups or startup related projects and activities, as well as for those looking to potentially start investing to startups, as new business angel,

crowdfunding investor or in form of work investing (sweat equity). Suitable also for bigger companies R&D teams looking to connect with startups at validation

phase.

Module IVSCALING

Topics

● taking a deeper dive to scaling phase, that is most crucial phase for getting serious about building real and scalable business

● what things to focus on and why?● business planning● go to market strategies● born global & internationalization

● scaling metrics (KPI’s)● recruiting● building processes● funding options● working with big companies● methods & tools● additional learning & tools resources for

self learning

Training targetto understand the methods or growing organization, learning to build processes,

validating them and building teams. delegating and getting past managing, to make it possible to scale. How to adjust KPI’s. What is the change in mindset that

needs to happen between previous stage and this phase. Strategies of cost effective internationalization. Benefits of working with big customers. Setting

yourself for exit.

Target audienceAnyone who is interested to have better understanding about startups and the

journey it takes from idea to success and what are the typical failures and pitfalls in between. Specifically suited for those entering or currently at scaling stages,

either as a team member or someone working with a startup venture at this stage, but also valuable for those working with with startups or startup related projects and activities, specially those with internationalization, foreign direct

investments, venture capital, bigger companies looking to connect with startups at this stage etc., As well as for those looking to potentially start investing to

startups, as new business angel, crowdfunding investor or in form of work investing (sweat equity).

Background

Training modules are based on startup development phases framework by

international serial entrepreneur

Valto Loikkanen

provided by Startup Commons.

KnowledgeThe knowledge shared via these trainings is based on more than twenty years of international serial entrepreneurship experience success and failures in various business verticals, combined with more than ten years of parallel experience on startup advisory with over thousand new entrepreneurs and developing support services, funding instruments and related policies in local, in regional and global

context.

MethodCombining and refining personal learnings & experiences from past and current times, together with deep global research and discussions over time on related

methodologies, studies, statistics and learnings of various respected international serial entrepreneurs and experts in specific methodologies, to identify and validate most relevant patterns, factors and commonalities for

building startup success by design. From bottom up, top down, side to side and in the middle perspectives. While taking into account and recognizing regional, historical and cultural factors that have impact on success factors in different

regions.

ApproachProcess to document this knowledge is based on visualizing the top level

process from nothing to success, from startup journey perspective (ie. not in terms of funding rounds), to communicate most relevant key items and clearly specifying all related key terminology to connect innovation and organizational growth process, with focus to universal key factors. And from this holistic view point to further develop by breaking up to logical sub segments and processes, each with their own clear start and end points, to help connect and outline all

relevant key knowledge and concepts.

Expertise

● Startup Commons have assisted national and local governments in various maturity levels and population in US., EU and Asia on policy making and developing solutions, services and instruments on how to nurture and grow a thriving startup culture and how to develop startup ecosystems in globally connected world.

● In addition to past six years of intense startup ecosystem research and

development, teams expertise is based on decades of personal serial entrepreneurship experiences, combined with experience in working within and with public sector organizations for startup advisory and support service development.

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Discovering the startup world

about this material

● This document is part of our Startup Ecosystem Development series of tools and documentation

● Check out some related tools and documents via: ○ Startup Commons Knowledge Center

● Request for proposal for our training or workshops with full access to our full knowledge center○ additional tools and documentation○ full set of our training materials ○ full list of 100+ key metrics for measuring startups and startup

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Copyrights © Startup Commons 2016