Education and Mentorship for Entrepreneurs
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Moonshot Pioneer Academy

Our Moonshot Pioneer Academy​ is specifically built for subject matter experts with business ideas, but no clear path to market. We guide participants through a proven process to validate their idea and build it into a scalable business. Topics covered include: creating infrastructure, assembling a team and pitching for funding.

This two-track program takes new founders as well as serial entrepreneurs through the entire business lifecycle - including ideation, product development and beta testing, moving to market and scaling for growth. Both tracks are designed to meet participants where they are, and participants move through the process as a cohort, building relationships with their peers and a network of fellow entrepreneurs.

The first track focuses on the fundamentals, such as understanding business strategy, defining beta programs, closing those first sales, and developing an entrepreneurial and leadership mindset. This helps minimize the risk associated with entrepreneurship and starts the venture with a more solid foundation. The second track focuses on specific company needs based on individual strengths and weaknesses, and cover topics such as building sales pipeline, financial planning, forming an advisory board, talent acquisition strategies, defining metrics, and preparing for investor interest. Advancement through each track starts with a panel presentation, similar to an investor pitch, and ends with a one-page plan for progress – helping participants stay focused and accountable.​

​TRACK 1
Clients in Track 1 are typically in the ideation phase of their business. They’ve identified the technology platform, mobile application, product, or solution they want to create. In many cases, they’ve already created it. Our goal is to help them determine early on if their solution is a viable business idea – that it solves a problem for a large enough market, and that enough buyers in that market agree the client’s solution is worth buying. We help them think through the fundamental questions every investor will ask about problem, solution, market size, business model, value proposition and even team and exit. As a result, Track 1 clients discover the building blocks of an investment-worthy business, and begin assembling them into a compelling story that communicates the value proposition that their new business will deliver.

Each Track 1 cohort is a 12-week program.

OVERVIEW:

​Week 1: Introduction
Introduction to the class and all participants. Feasibility Analysis

Week 2: Assumptions and Biases
How subconscious beliefs can have a substantial influence on the entrepreneurial journey.

Week 3: Customer Discovery: What is your customer’s pain point?
Discovering the problem to be solved.

Week 4: Proposed Solution
Stating the proposed solution to the customer’s pain point.

Week 5: What is Your Why? (Explain the elevator pitch expectations)
Determining the true purpose of the entrepreneur’s proposed solution. This is when the participants will start sharing their elevator pitches with the class.

Week 6: Competitive Landscape and Competitive Advantages
Learning how to assess the competition, alternatives to the proposed solution, and any competitive advantages.

Week 7: Financial Feasibility and Financials I
Determining if the venture, product, or service is financially feasible with an introduction to basic business finance.

Week 8: Marketing I
Discovering ways to bring the product to the target market.

Week 9: Value Proposition
Utilizing Strategyzer materials to map out the value proposition.

Week 10: Business Model Canvas
Using Strategyzer materials to map the business model canvas.

Week 11: Planning Stage
Development of intentions for the next six to eight months. This may include filing for articles of organization, patents, creation of a business plan, etc. Reviewing the plans and developing stages of execution.

Week 12: Presentations
Introduction to Executive in Residence and Presentations
In anticipation of Track Two start: Execution
Actual first steps.

​TRACK 2
Clients in Track 2 are typically working to build and test their minimum viable product, define users/customers, and create an initial business foundation comprised of the six following core areas: strategy, sales, marketing, finance, research & development, and operations. Our goal is to help you build a solid business foundation that supports the delivery of the value proposition you’ve designed.

Each Track 2 is a 9-week program.

OVERVIEW:

Week 1: Introduction
An introduction and overview of track two.

Week 2: SOP Standard Operating Practices Pt I
SOP determines how your company will address the following business activities:
  • Strategic Management
    • The first step in the process is leadership’s development of the company’s long-term strategy.
  • HR and Payroll Management
    • This process covers how an organization will qualify, recruit, hire, train, pay, and terminate employees.
  • Operations
    • Gives structure to how a company will operate or run its day to day business activities.
  • Finance and Administration
    • Determines the company’s standardized requirements for handling financial transactions and reporting.
Week 3: SOP Standard Operating Practices Pt II
  • Forecasting and Budgeting
    • During this process, the company develops revenue and expenditure projections for the one, three, and five-year timeframes.
  • Sales and Marketing
    • Covers in detail all activities associated with lead generation, market interaction, market exposure, and sales generation.
  • Information Technology
    • Determines the company’s IT protocols, including server management, cybersecurity, electronic communication protocols, and customer information protection.
Week 4: Lean
How to develop more efficient operational processes using Lean and Six Sigma concepts.

Week 5: Company Culture
Cultivating a positive company culture that begins with the leadership team.

Week 6: Financials II
Continuing from Track One, a deeper dive into business financials.

Week 7: Marketing II
Continuing from Track One, a deeper dive into the marketing process.

Week 8: Sales
Sales, lead generation, customer service, and customer retention.

Week 9: Company Growth Strategy
Develop a plan for your company’s next steps. 

Are you in economic development and want to bring this type of programming to your city? Let's talk.