Entrepreneur Series

Special Promotion! Register for all five classes in each Entrepreneur Series and receive a $125 discount.

To register for individual classes, continue below:

How to Start a Company (2 hours). $75.  Introduction to the process of starting a new business.   This class is a must for anyone who has an idea, but needs to organize a business to attract others, raise capital or undertake business without unlimited liability.  Topics covered will include: selection of a corporate form; founders’ equity arrangements; state and local licensing requirements; establishment of books and records; and other ancillary agreements necessary to start a business. Classes held on Tuesdays at 2:00PM. Click the date to register:

Creating a Team (2 hours).  $75.  A discussion of the process of identifying and building a team to advance a business.  Building a team is one of the most important things an entrepreneur can do, and the failure to do this effectively is often the largest reason for emerging company failure. This class, which will taught from the perspective of an experienced entrepreneur will investigate: how to find team members; how to evaluate potential team members; when do you bring in “outside management”; how do you compensate team members; managing outside advisors; and structuring an utilizing a Board of Advisors. Classes held on Tuesdays at 2:00PM. Click the date to register:

Sales and Marketing (2 hours). $75.  A discussion of the art of marketing and sales for the emerging business.  Having a completed product means very little if customers won’t buy it. This class provides practical advice on how to market and sell new technology products, and since an emerging business has been described more than once as “an endless chain of sales transactions” this class is important for entrepreneurs seeking to establish their business, and entrepreneurs that are looking to expand.  Topics include: defining your market; building a pipeline; differentiating between “no” and “maybe”; how to handle rejection; and defining and overcoming your competition. Classes held on Tuesdays at 2:00PM. Click the date to register:

Product Development (2 hours). $75.  A discussion of the process of product development.  Taking an idea from inception to a saleable product is a challenge for even the most experienced entrepreneur.  This class provides practical advice on the process of product development and the path to commercialization.  Using the development of a software technology as the basis for discussion, this discussion, led by an experienced entrepreneur, will investigate: how do you foot your go-to-market strategy to your development; whether to buy or build technology; how to assemble a development team and when to utilize outside resources; the role of IP; how to work with your sales team to create a positive feedback between customers and development; and how to handle the unexpected. Classes held on Tuesdays at 2:00PM. Click the date to register:

Debt and Bankruptcy (2 hours).  $75.  A discussion of the use of debt for emerging businesses, and the affect of insolvency and bankruptcy on a business.  During all economic climates, the use of debt is a smart financing tool for expanding businesses.  And, understanding the dynamics of debt collection and creditors’ rights is also important, particularly during times of economic distress.  This class, which will be taught from the perspective of an experienced entrepreneur, will address: the use of debt as a financing tool for emerging businesses; different types of debt (commercial bank loans, SBA loans and venture debt); the role of guarantees; the process of bankruptcy; and the rights and obligations of debtors and creditors. Classes held on Tuesdays at 2:00PM. Click the date to register:

Business Plan Preparation (2 hours).  $75.  Introduction to the process of business plan preparation, and practical advice on how to prepare and provide an impactful and useful business plan. This class provides an overview of the seven critical sections of the business plan and what information entrepreneurs must include to cause a business plan to drive a desired transaction. Topics covered will include: executive summary; market overview; products and services; go-to-market strategy; competition; operations and management; and financial statements and use of proceeds. Classes held on Thursdays at 2:00PM. Click the date to register.

Emerging Company Finance. (2 hours) $75.  Introduction to the various methods for financing an early stage business – from bootstrapping to venture capital, with practical advice on deal terms and how to get a good transaction.  Topics will include identification of various financing alternatives, including state grants, state venture capital, bootstrapping strategies, venture debt, Angel investing and venture capital.

Mechanics of Financing Early Stage Businesses (4 hours). $200.  Advanced investigation of the legal structure and terms of early stage financing transactions, to allow an entrepreneur to more effectively negotiate financing transactions and work more effectively with outside business advisors and lawyers. This class will allow an entrepreneur to look past the “boiler plate” of a transaction to be able to focus on maximizing the entrepreneur’s business objectives.  Transactions discussed will include: joint ventures; licenses; loan transactions; leases; Angel financing (convertible debt); and equity investment (Venture Capital).  Prior completion of Emerging Company Finance required, unless requirement waived by instructor.

Venture Capital and Venture Capital Deals. (4 hours).  $200.  Advanced investigation of the venture capital industry and the terms of a venture capital deal, to allow the entrepreneur to more effectively negotiate a venture capital transaction and work more effectively with outside business advisors and lawyers.  Understanding the mechanics of a venture capital deal, and the dynamics of obtaining venture capital, is something that venture capitalists look for in “backable” entrepreneurs.  Topics covered in the class will include: the structure of the venture industry; how venture capital firms work; what a VC looks for in an entrepreneur and opportunity; and the terms of a venture capital deal.