Virtual Incubation Program - For first time founders all around the world

How are you going to change the world?  It's a question that buzzes around my head.  I've delivered impactful projects and programs in several countries but still feel I can do more and never quite feel like I've done enough.  At the core of my mission is to empower entrepreneurs to live their dreams.  In turn their success will transform lives and communities.  At my own core, I have never felt more successful or fulfilled than when I have helped others to go on and achieve their potential.

Something I have been working out in my head for a while now is how to do virtual incubation for first time founders.  There were two drivers for it really, the first being that for early stage startups the idea of keeping to a rigid schedule can be tough.  The dynamics for the startup are hard enough to balance and so I wanted to find a way to deliver support more on their terms.  Then, there was my experience of mentoring in the USA, India, UK and Portugal.  So many of the lessons were transferable,  but it was always stuck in my head - not easy for others to reach without me being there in person.

As I started to run the Startup Leadership Program in Lisbon this year a few different thoughts came together, in particular how powerful a cohort can be in supporting each other in their early stage ideas.   So I've built a program that I hope will strike a chord with first time founders and am delivering it in a way that is accessible to them all over the world.

It's launching on 14th December - by Webex with the module "How not to be one of the 9 - Why startups fail" and builds on some studies along with personal experience of how and why so many startups fail for avoidable, predictable reasons.  Webex sessions will then be held once per month after that for 12 months.

This, I would say is the MVP!  If you are interested to be an early adopted please signup here by typeform: https://canopycity.typeform.com/to/LGqE8N

Alongside these modules are monthly cohort mentoring sessions by google hangout, one on one mentoring sessions via Savvy.is and a slack group for open Q&A and adhoc support.

Supporting materials, templates and vids will be made available via Slack across the year too.
Modules list: 

1. Why startups fail, 
2. Startup Presentation Skills, 
3. Launching Lean, 
4. Building a founder team, 
5. Raising seed funds, 
6. Term Sheets, 
7. Startup Leadership vs Startup Management, 
8. Managing Board, 
9. Entrepreneurial Sales, 
10. Marking and PR, 
11. Hiring and Firing, 
12. Going International.

The entire thing will close with a Video Pitch Session - where attendees will have 60seconds to pitch their idea in a google hangout and receive feedback from a panel of entrepreneurs and investors.
Places are limited to 15 on this first cohort, with up to 5 places available to Not for Profit founders.
Price options: $50 per month or $500 for the 12 month program***. 


For each person accepted onto the program we will include 4 x one day guest passes for use at Canopy.city locations.


Not for Profit founders are free of charge

*** Make a trade - if it's too early for you to afford this program don't worry.  Make a trade in something that you can add to the program or to Canopy.  Perhaps some digital marketing skills / time or a premium account to your platform, or some home cooking.  Whatever it is, we're open to ideas :) 

If you are a first time founder of an early stage startup or not for profit then I've built this for you.  As we go through the program I'll keep asking you for feedback and ideas to improve things so that we create the most impactful and enjoyable experience for everyone.

#LiveYourDreams
S.