Startup Foundations: Navigating the Early Stages of Your Venture [Pre-Order]

[Pre-Order – Full Course Coming Soon]

Course Objective:
This course is built for aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage founders who are starting their first venture. It provides the core knowledge and practical tools needed to validate your idea, build your business model, and navigate the uncertain early stages of startup development with confidence and clarity.

Module 1: The Startup Mindset & Entrepreneurial Readiness

Topics Covered:

• What Makes a Startup Different from a Small Business?
• The Lean Startup Philosophy: Build-Measure-Learn
• Entrepreneurial Traits & Habits
• Overcoming Fear of Failure & Imposter Syndrome
• Time, Energy & Focus Management for Founders
• Self-Assessment:
  Are You Ready to Be a Founder? (Personal Readiness Checklist)

Module 2: Finding & Validating Your Startup Idea

Topics Covered:

• Identifying Real Problems Worth Solving
• Ideation Techniques: Blue Ocean Thinking, Design Sprint Basics
• Market Research: Size, Gaps, and Opportunities
• Validation Methods: Surveys, Interviews, Landing Pages
• Early Adopter Profiles: Who Needs It First?
• Assignment:
  Validate your idea using the Idea Validation Checklist + conduct 3 customer interviews

Module 3: Building a Business Model That Works

Topics Covered:

• Understanding the Business Model Canvas
• Value Proposition & Customer Segments
• Revenue Models: Freemium, Subscription, B2B, D2C
• Cost Structure & Key Partnerships
• Minimum Viable Product (MVP): What it is, What it’s not
• Practical Task:
  Create a one-page Business Model Canvas for your startup

Module 4: Product Development & Prototyping

Topics Covered:

• What is an MVP and How to Build One
• No-Code & Low-Code Tools for Early Products
• User Feedback Loops & Iteration
• Working with Developers & Designers
• Building a Product Roadmap
• Downloadable:
  MVP Planning Template + User Feedback Tracker

Module 5: Building Your Startup Brand

Topics Covered:

• Naming Your Startup: Strategy & Pitfalls
• Visual Identity Basics (Logo, Colors, Fonts)
• Creating Your Startup’s Story
• Website & Social Media Setup
• Elevator Pitch & Brand Positioning
• Assignment:
  Craft your startup’s elevator pitch + brand moodboard

Module 6: Marketing Your Startup on a Budget

Topics Covered:

• Understanding the Customer Journey
• Organic Marketing Strategies (Content, Community, Social)
• Email Marketing Basics + Lead Magnets
• Growth Hacking Tactics for Startups
• Setting Up Early Marketing Funnels
• Worksheet:
  Marketing Action Plan + 30-Day Launch Calendar

Module 7: Building Your Founding Team & Culture

Topics Covered:

• Going Solo vs Finding a Co-Founder
• Defining Roles, Responsibilities & Equity
• Legal Agreements: Founders' Agreement, NDA, IP Ownership
• Building a Strong Team Culture Early
• Working with Freelancers, Interns & Advisors
• Tool:
  Founder's Equity Split Calculator + Sample Agreement Template

Module 8: Raising Funds & Managing Finances

Topics Covered:

• Bootstrapping vs External Funding
• Sources of Early-Stage Capital (Grants, Angels, VCs, Crowdfunding)
• Basics of Financial Forecasting
• Budgeting, Burn Rate & Runway
• Crafting Your Pitch Deck
• Practical Task:
  Draft a basic financial forecast + prepare a 10-slide pitch deck outline

Bonus Modules (Optional):

• Startup Legal 101: Registration, IP & Compliance
• Startup Accelerators & Incubators: Are They Worth It?
• Common Mistakes First-Time Founders Make
• Using AI Tools for Startup Productivity

Course Format:

• On-demand video lessons
• Step-by-step templates and startup tools
• Weekly founder challenges
• Expert guest interviews & real startup case studies
• Private group for feedback & peer learning
• Certificate of Completion