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a 12-week program for entrepreneurs who want to create business and financial plans they can use to pitch to investors.

September 9- November 25
12pm - 2pm
100% Free • Hybrid Program

 Applications Closed

 

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NSU Innovation Center Fall 2024 Incubator Program

 

Program Description​

 

The NSU Innovation Center Fall 2024 Incubator Program, also known as the Innovative Entrepreneur Incubator Program, is designed to empower entrepreneurs with scalable business ideas, transforming them into leaders ready to make a mark in their industries. This comprehensive, hands-on program is tailored to foster growth, innovation, and sustainable business success.​

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Key Features:

  1. Customized Workshops: Dive into a curriculum enriched with sessions led by experts across various fields. Topics include effective business strategy formulation, advanced marketing techniques, financial management, and operational scalability.

  2. One-on-One Mentorship: Each participant is paired with a mentor relevant to their industry. These mentors provide personalized guidance, helping refine business models and strategies through experienced insights.

  3. Practical Application: Participants will develop their business ideas into viable prototypes or business models, culminating in a 'Demo Day' where they present their ventures to a panel of potential investors and industry experts.

  4. Resource Access: Take advantage of the NSU Innovation Center’s state-of-the-art resources, including tech labs, creative workspaces, and business tools, all designed to enhance productivity and foster innovation.

  5. Networking Opportunities: Connect with a vibrant network of entrepreneurs, business leaders, and potential investors through exclusive networking events, building relationships that extend beyond the program.

Program Outcomes

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Graduates of the NSUIC Fall 2024 Incubator Program will leave equipped with comprehensive business plans, refined pitching skills, and a deep understanding of what it takes to secure capital and scale operations. With enhanced leadership capabilities and a robust professional network, participants will be well-positioned to launch and grow their businesses.

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Who Should Apply

 

This program is ideal for ambitious entrepreneurs ready to develop and expand their business ideas into market-ready solutions. We welcome innovators from all sectors who are committed to learning and applying practical skills in a collaborative environment.

  The Cohort Program will be aligned with the university curriculum and last for twelve (12) weeks.

  • 12 Weekly Sessions in a Seminar Format

  • One (1) Hour of Formal Presentation (Classroom Format)

  • One (1) Hour of Discussion (Seminar Format)

  • The sessions will be conducted virtually and in-person

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For More Information:

For detailed information about the application process and program benefits, visit our website at NSU Innovation Center Programs or contact:

Nicole Branch, Community Manager
Email: nmbranch@nsu.edu or nsuic@nsu.edu

  • Week 1 - Orientation and Market Validation
    Objective: Introduction to program and goals Introduction to market research and validation: Understanding market needs and business ideas Key questions: How do I identify my target market? What methods can I use to validate my business idea? How do I use market research to shape my business strategy?
  • Week 2 - Funding Your Company
    Objective: Explore finding requirements, sources of capital, and the process of raising money Key Questions: How much money do I need? What do investors need? What kind of capital is best suited to my business?
  • Week 3 - Pitching vs Closing: The Ted Talk Model
    Objective: Learn how to effectively pitch your company to different audiences Key Questions: What are the main elements in a good pitch? What type of presentation is best suited to target audiences? How do I avoid common mistakes and compel the audience?
  • Week 4 - What Start-ups Really Need
    Objective: Identify critical requirements for early stage companies Key questions: How do we anticipate what we will need over time? How do we build a strategic timeline with our requirements included? What are the most critical needs by phase?
  • Week 5 - Capital Investors and Exit Strategies
    Objective: Understand investor perspectives and explore exit strategies. Key Questions: What returns are different types of investors expecting? How do we position an enterprise for each type of exit? Which strategic exits are most realistic and how long will each take to realize?
  • Week 6 - Investor Friendly Business Plans
    Discuss the transaction sought and the terms of the deal with the client Objective: Develop compelling business plans for investors. Key Questions: What are the most critical elements in a good B-Plan? What is in a compelling investor document package? What is the best way to make sure your documents are read and understood?
  • Week 7 - Proforma Financial Statements
    Objective: Create believable pro-forma financial statements. Key Questions: How do I forecast sales and revenue? How do I predict profitability and cash flow? Based on financial statements how will investors determine the value of my company?
  • Week 8 - Valuations in Simple Terms
    Objective: Learn the basics of company valuations. Key Questions: What is the most important element of valuation at each investment round? How do I maximize my valuation? How do I negotiate critical terms of a founding round?
  • Week 9 - Ownership, Control and Capital Raises
    Objective: Learn the implications of selling equity and maintaining control. Key Questions: What type of deal best suits my needs, equity sale, convertible note, or senior debt? How do I maintain operational control, and do I want to? How do I form the most effective board of directors?
  • Week 10 - Revenue Reality: Believable Projections
    Objective: Project realistic revenue forecasts Key Questions: How do I price my products and/or services? How do I forecast market entry and early revenues? How do I project believable revenue growth through market capture?
  • Week 11 - Digital Marketing and Customer Development
    Objective: Develop digital marketing strategies and understand customer development. Key questions: How do I create an effective online presence? What strategies should I use for social media and content marketing? How do I iterate my product/service based on customer feedback?
  • Week 12 - Legal Considerations and Scalability
    Objectives: Understand the legal aspects of starting a business and strategies for scaling. Key Questions: What are the legal requirements for my business? How do I Protect my intellectual property? What strategies can i use to scale my business effectively?
  • Week 1 - Money - Funds Required and Their Uses
    Agenda: Access to Capital Briefing Current Funding Requirements Funding Requirements Over The Next 5 Years Use of Funds Long-range Financial Strategies
  • Week 2 - Money - Financial Data
    Agenda Historical Financial Data Annual Forecast and Prospective Financial Data Analysis
  • Week 3 - Market - Products and Services
    Agenda: Primary Market Research, Market Test Results Secondary Market Research Detailed Product/Service Description Product Life Cycle Copyrights, Patents, and Trade Secrets Research and Development Activities
  • Week 4 - Market - Market Analysis
    Agenda: Industry Description and Outlook Target Markets Customer Experience Competition Regulatory Restrictions
  • Week 5 - Market - Marketing and Sales Activities
    Agenda: Overall Marketing and Sales Strategy Sales Strategies
  • Week 6 - Management and Operations - Operations
    Agenda: Product and Service Delivery Procedures Productions and Service Delivery Capability Operative Competitive Advantages Suppliers Operational Metrics
  • Week 7 - Capital Requirements Planning
    Objective: Build a Strategic Capital Requirement Model Overview: • Determining Essential Requirements at Critical Phases • Design Strategic Funding Requirements • Determine Sources of Capital • Designing a Strategic Capital Plan (Requirements, Sources, Results and Timing) Deliverables: • Strategic Funding Plan • Capital Sources and Uses Schedule
  • Week 8
    Agenda: Final Presentations by BIG Startup Program participants (100 mins) 5-mins to present overall findings within your group 5-mins of feedback from consultants/other cohort participants Action Item/Homework: Complete our Evaluation Survey Share a low-fidelity prototype of your solution via Facebook Group Deliverable: Final Presentation Low-fidelity prototype
  • Week 9
    TBA
  • Week 10
    TBA
  • Week 11
    TBA
  • Week 12
    TBA
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