Preflight for Tech Startups

Preflight for Tech Startups is a part-time, 6 week intensive workshop that helps "pre-startups" take those first early steps to become fully-fledged startups. Perhaps you've already started building something at a hackathon? Maybe you've been working on a concept late nights and weekends? Maybe you're looking for a co-founder to round out your team?

Types of products/startups we're looking for:

We're primarily seeking internet, mobile, and software-based startups who have already started developing a product/startup idea.

What's included:

You'll get a weekly group dinner, two evening courses, weekly mentor sessions and a drop-in membership for two months in our startup space to work on your startup.

How the program works:

Preflight helps you build what you'll need as you make a commitment towards becoming a full-time startup:

  • Week 1 - In the first week, we'll explore problems and opportunities worth solving in a particular industry, market and/or organization.
  • Week 2 - We'll work to find your concept and land on a business model that you can start validating with customers/partners.
  • Week 3 - We focus on product design and prototyping, and steps and strategies you can take to get that first version released.
  • Week 4 - The fourth week focuses on customer development. We'll figure out ways to engage the early users and adopters you need to test your product and business model.
  • Week 5 - We'll continue working on your prototype and pitch, in preparation for the following week's final presentations.
  • Week 6 - With an initial prototype and early customer validation, the final week focuses on a final presentation and helping to provide insight on financing strategies and next steps.

Each week's sessions are organized around:

  • Lectures and case studies
  • Guest speakers and mentors
  • Group meal
  • Weekly pitches - refine how you talk about your product/project/startup
  • Final presentation - what you discovered, where you're headed

Participants:

Preflight is limited to 10 participants selected out of a pool of candidates. Participants can also apply as teams (2-3).

Time commitment:

All teams are expected to be working on their startup and product prototypes, and work on customer development (i.e. talking to customers, partners, and channel partners) over the term of Preflight. Outcomes will be different for each team depending on the product being development, however, we expect that you will make the commitment outside of sessions to work on your startup and product, so you can take the next major step when the program is complete.

Location and workspace:

All sessions are held at Startup Edmonton at the Mercer Warehouse. As part of your Preflight registration, you'll also get a two month drop-in membership that provides you access to co-workspace. You can use that time to continue to work on your startup/product and meet with mentors and other founders.

Mentor sessions:

Mentors are entrepreneurs and investors who will be available to Preflight founders to offer advice, feedback and help get the data needed as build and test your business model. Some mentors will be invited as guest speakers during weekly sessions. You will need to arrange your schedule for mentors (not the other way around).

Workshop outcomes:

Ultimately, our goal with Preflight is to help you make that first real commitment to building a startup. With a real prototype built, a business model, actual customer feedback, and a team in hand, you're ready to go. Maybe you'll apply to our seed stage accelerator Flightpath (here in the city) or another program somewhere in the world. In either case, your journey to a full-time startup life begins here.

What people are saying

"Preflight was pivotal in taking me from business planning to creating my company. It was extremely helpful to have the peer support from my fellow participants and coaching from experienced entrepreneurs throughout the program."
- Justine Barber, Co-Founder, Poppy Barley

Upcoming programs

Preflight for Tech Startups
Winter Session 2013
February 11 to March 18, 2013
Time: Part-time courses/meetups on Mondays (5:30 - 7:30) and Wednesday work sessions (5:30 - 7:30 pm)
Cost: $599 per participant

Faculty:
Ken Bautista
Cam Linke
Kevin Swan
Ric Williams
Blaine Bertsch