Being an entrepreneur is both a choice and lifestyle. Entrepreneurs live to serve their identified unmet need with passion and purpose. The mechanics and disciplines needed to develop a business that can even survive, much less thrive, require significant learning. The Kauffman FastTrac® program is designed for just this learning.
We will only meet four times or so on Saturday mornings on Zoom to instruct you and facilitate the process. The real work is done between sessions, with the support of a mentor, as you wrestle important questions to the ground to arrive at the best and most viable option(s) for your business. We will be here to support you all along the way, but count on the work of your two hands, the steel of your own mind, and the significant investment of your personal time and effort. It's your dream. It's your business!
Here are the anticipated dates for the Saturday meetings on Zoom. Attendance is expected.
Sept. 3, 2022, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Welcome and Ideate (all Modules)
Sept. 11, 2022, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Position (all Modules)
Dec. 3, 2022, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Commit (all Modules)
Feb. 4, 2022, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Refine (all Modules)
There may also be a session before these to introduce you to some of the software used to monitor progress and to learn how to use FastTrac. You will work on your time and schedule and will meet with your mentor(s) at times and for durations that fit your need and lifestyle.
Dr. David Bryant, Ph.D, Director of Benedictine College’s Cray Center for Entrepreneurial Services, will be the primary professor sharing knowledge and communicating expectations to entrepreneurs.
Below is a general schedule, with specific topics to be covered and due dates for completion of related work. A detailed program schedule and syllabus will be sent to entrepreneurs once they are accepted into the Spark Tank program.
Sept. 3 – Sept. 10Ideate Module 1: The Entrepreneurial Lifestyle
Sept. 3 – Sept. 10Ideate Module 2: From Idea – Business Concept
Sept. 11 – Oct. 16Position Module 1: Market Research
Oct. 17 – Nov. 12Position Module 2: Business Model Design
Nov. 12 – Nov. 26Position Module 3: Pricing Strategy
Nov. 26 – Dec. 3Position Module 4: Legal Strategy
Nov. 26 – Dec. 3Position Module 5: Business Exits
Dec. 3 – Dec. 17Commit Module 1: Reaching the Market
Dec. 17 – Dec. 31Commit Module 2: Distribution and Sales
Dec. 31 – Jan. 7Commit Module 3: Financial Management Cycle
Jan. 7 – Jan. 28Commit Module 4: Sales Projections
Jan. 7 – Jan. 28Commit Module 5: Cost Projections
Jan. 28 – Feb. 4Commit Module 6: Intellectual Property
Jan. 28 – Feb. 4Commit Module 7: Legal Compliance
February-March 2023Refine Ideas and Prepare for Pitch Event
April 21-22, 2023Spark Tank Pitch Event
If you have any questions about the training or anything else, just get in touch with us!