Kevin Monserrat – VC and Deal-flow manager

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For Startups

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Microsoft

For Startups

Learning Objectives;

1. What do you need to consider when starting your own business?

2. Who are you and what type of business suits you?

3. Understand business plan thinking.

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For Startups

What is entrepreneurship?

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For Startups

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For Startups

What should I consider before jumping?

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For Startups

An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an

idea that exists only as an idea. – Buddha

1. Focus on one idea

2. Don’t be afraid to share your idea – the more the better 3. Can you pass “The Mom test”?

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For Startups

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You survived??!! – Next steps

Start up your market research;

1. Interviews (either by telephone or face-to-face)

2. Surveys (online or by mail)

3. Questionnaires (online or by mail)

4. Focus groups gathering a sampling of potential clients or

customers and getting their direct feedback

5. More…

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Think you are ready to go?

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Think about who you are going to share the risks and the fun with

1. Are you a sole founder? Bad idea…

2. Do you have your family support?

3. Can you find a mentor and do you have your school support?

4. How big is BIG?

Red flag: if you can’t think of five people that would buy your product

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Who are you and what type of business suits you?

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Set the horizon

1. What type of entrepreneur am I?

2. Set the Vision, Mission, Values asap 3. Your Ego is your best enemy

4. Resilience is what will make you succeed

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Who you are = what you will build

You will build what you measure

1. I’m looking for huge profits

2. I’m trying the help

3. I’m trying to have impact

4. What’s my Purpose?

Must watch video; Start with why – Simon Sinek

A for-profit corporation is an organization which aims to earn profit

through its operations and is concerned with its own interests, unlike

those of the public (non-profit corporation).

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Social Enterprise/Impact Venture; Is an organization with the intention to

generate a measurable, beneficial social or environmental impact alongside (or in lieu of ) a financial return.

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Simon Sinek

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For Startups

It’s all very clear now!!

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Remember

All you have is the Vision, Mission, Values – and a team that share them…

1. Set the objectives you are trying to achieve

2. Make them the companies’ DNA

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Understand business plan thinking

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Business Plan Thinking

1. Executive summary

2. Company description

3. Market analysis

4. Marketing and sales & distribution

5. Financial forecasting

6. Needed cash

You can be innovative but Do not re-invent the wheel

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Have a mantra

1. Nike: Authentic Athletic Performance

2. Disney: Fun Family Entertainment

3. Ritz-Carlton: Ladies & Gentlemen Serving Ladies & Gentlemen

4. BMW: Ultimate Driving Machine

5. Betty Crocker: Homemade Made Easy

What’s yours?

Competing on pricing is not enough / bad

1. Find your USP

2. Think about new business model – the trends/tech

3. Use lean startup the methodology – Eric Ries

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How to find your USP? (Unique Selling Proposition)

1. How uniquely your solution is solving the problem?

2. Understanding your target audience – as always

3. What is your competitive advantage?

4. Think a little broader

5. Testing and refining your USP

6. Communicating your USP

7. More

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Options to raise money

1. Loan

2. ICO

3. Crowdfunding

4. Friend, Family and Fools

1. Business Angels

2. VC

Your Environment Is A Reflection Of Your Life

1. Co-founders - You will spend more time with your co-founder than

with your Partner

2. Investors - they can be like your Partner, they ask for reports and

control the money

3. Lawyer - here to protect you and help you manage your

relationships with your Investor/co-founders

4. Team with Attitude – hire slow and fire fast

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My Top 5 Books

1. Zero to One - Authors: Peter Thiel, Blake Masters

2. The Lean Startup - Author: Eric Ries

3. Buyology: Truth and Lies About Why We Buy - Author: Martin Lindstrom

4. Do More Faster: TechStars Lessons to Accelerate Your Startup -Authors:

Brad Feld, Daniel I. A. Cohen

5. Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist -Authors: Brad Feld, Jason Mendelson

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More resources

• A comprehensive reading list of the best sources on the new entrepreneurship • A series of new business cases documenting Lean Startup principles in a variety of companies • A compilation of tools and skills