Business Startup from Ideas to Operational

Course Overview

The Smart Startup – Business Startup from Ideas to Operational course is designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs learn how to turn their business ideas into operational startups. The course covers topics such as identifying and validating business ideas, creating a business plan, marketing strategies, financial management, and more. The Smart Startup course empowers participants with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to navigate the complex journey of launching and growing a successful startup from ideation to operationalization. It’s a comprehensive program for aspiring entrepreneurs and startup enthusiasts looking to build strong foundations for their ventures.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completing the Smart Startup course, participants will be equipped to:

Idea Validation: Assess the viability of their business ideas, understand market demand, and validate product or service concepts.

Business Planning: Develop a comprehensive business plan that includes a clear mission, vision, strategy, and financial projections.

Startup Fundamentals: Understand the legal, financial, and operational aspects of launching and running a startup.

Market Research: Conduct effective market research to identify target audiences, competitors, and market trends.

Marketing and Branding: Create marketing strategies and branding campaigns to attract and retain customers.

Funding and Investment: Explore various funding options, including bootstrapping, angel investment, venture capital, and crowdfunding.

Operations and Growth: Establish efficient operational processes and strategies for scaling the business.

Customer Acquisition and Retention: Develop customer acquisition strategies and practices for building and maintaining customer relationships.

Pitching and Presentation: Create compelling pitches and presentations to attract investors, partners, and customers.

Target Audience:

The course is suitable for a diverse range of participants, including:

Entrepreneurs: Individuals who have a business idea or are in the early stages of starting a business and want to build a strong foundation for success.
Startup Teams: Founders and members of startup teams looking to gain a comprehensive understanding of the startup process and develop essential skills.
Innovators and Inventors: Innovators who want to transform their inventions or novel ideas into viable businesses.
Small Business Owners: Owners of small businesses who want to refine their startup strategies and enhance their business operations.
Aspiring Business Professionals: Individuals aspiring to work in the startup ecosystem, such as venture capitalists, incubator/accelerator managers, or business consultants.

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Startups

Understanding entrepreneurship and its role in the business world
Characteristics and qualities of successful entrepreneurs
Identifying opportunities and generating innovative business ideas

Module 2: Idea Validation and Market Research

Evaluating the feasibility of business ideas
Conducting market research to identify target markets and customer needs
Assessing market trends and competition

Module 3: Business Planning and Strategy

Developing a business plan: Mission, vision, and goals
Business model canvas and value proposition
Strategic planning and setting actionable milestones

Module 4: Legal and Regulatory Considerations

Legal structures for startups (e.g., LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp)
Intellectual property protection (patents, trademarks, copyrights)
Compliance with business regulations and licenses

Module 5: Funding and Financing

Bootstrapping vs. external funding (angel investors, venture capital, crowdfunding)
Creating financial projections and budgets
Pitching to investors and securing funding

Module 6: Product/Service Development and MVP

Developing a minimum viable product (MVP)
Iterative product development and testing
Prototyping and user feedback

Module 7: Marketing and Branding

Creating a marketing strategy and plan
Digital marketing and social media strategies
Branding, positioning, and storytelling

Module 8: Sales and Customer Acquisition

Sales strategies and techniques for startups
Building and managing a sales pipeline
Customer acquisition and lead generation

Module 9: Operations and Scalability

Setting up operational processes
Supply chain management
Scaling the business while maintaining quality

Module 10: Financial Management and Sustainability

Financial management and accounting basics
Managing cash flow and expenses
Strategies for long-term sustainability

Module 11: Leadership and Team Building

Building and leading a startup team
Developing leadership skills
Managing team dynamics and culture

Module 12: Pitching and Presenting

Crafting an effective investor pitch
Pitching to potential investors, partners, and stakeholders
Presentation skills and public speaking

Module 13: Risk Management and Crisis Handling

Identifying and mitigating startup risks
Crisis management and contingency planning
Adapting to unexpected challenges

Module 14: Ethical Considerations and Social Responsibility

Ethical decision-making in entrepreneurship
Corporate social responsibility (CSR)
Balancing profit and social impact

Module 15: Post-Launch Strategies and Growth

Post-launch analysis and adjustment
Strategies for growth and expansion
Exit strategies (e.g., acquisition, IPO)

Toolkits:

These toolkits are designed to help participants apply what they’ve learned in the course to their own startup endeavors, providing valuable resources for planning, execution, and growth, Participants will receive a toolkit that includes practical resources such as:

Business Plan Templates: Templates for creating comprehensive business plans.
Market Research Guides: Resources for conducting market research effectively.
Financial Planning Tools: Tools for financial forecasting and budgeting.
Marketing and Branding Templates: Templates for designing marketing materials and branding assets.
Pitch Deck Templates: Templates for creating compelling investor pitch decks.
Legal and Compliance Resources: Guides for understanding legal requirements and compliance.

Course Details

Fee: N68,250

Venue: Hybrid

Date: November 6, 8 & 10

Duration: 3 Days