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Seattle 2017

At the Founder Institute, you won't "learn" how to build a business. Rather, you will build your business alongside top startup experts using a proven, structured process that has helped some of the world's fastest growing companies raise over $1.75BN. 

Our core program includes a series of challenging growth sprints, in addition to Weekly Feedback Sessions where you will receive constant feedback on your progress from experienced Mentors and Investors. 

See the schedule for the Seattle 2017 program below.

The Final Application Deadline for the Seattle 2017 program is Jan 08, 2017, and you can apply to the program at FI.co/join.

Orientation

Welcome and meet your peers.

Date: Jan 10, 2017
Starts at: 08:30 pm (America/New_York)

This is where it all begins. During Orientation, we will review the Founder Institute program structure, curriculum, tools, and requirements in detail. In addition, you will identify mentors that can help you get the most out of the program, meet the other founders in your cohort, and learn more about their ideas and skillsets. Assignments for this session include creating a plan to complete the program, watching recommended Founder Institute training videos, and more.

Vision and Ideas

Develop a set of strong ideas.

Date: Jan 11, 2017
Starts at: 08:30 pm (America/New_York)

The best startup ideas are formed from the intersection of a real customer problem and your personal strengths and passions. During this session, you will learn how to form, communicate, and analyze startup ideas in a structured manner. By the end of the week, you will form and analyze several business ideas (or three variations of the same idea) that you could realistically spend the next 20 years working on, and begin interviewing potential customers about their problems.

Research and Customer Development

Test your ideas with research.

Date: Jan 17, 2017
Starts at: 08:30 pm (America/New_York)

Large and fast growing markets have the power to elevate mediocre companies into greatness, and conversely, dying markets can doom otherwise solid companies. In this session, you’ll learn how to systematically research your market and gain a deep understanding of your target customer. Assignments include competitive research, defining your key business assumptions, interviewing additional potential customers, and more.

Naming and Positioning

Name your business.

Date: Jan 31, 2017
Starts at: 08:30 pm (America/New_York)

Your naming and positioning are the starting point for all of your company’s marketing. In this session, you will learn the components of great company names, and how to position your product effectively in the eyes of the consumer. By the end of the week, you will brainstorm and analyze a variety of names, and then select a final name after performing more customer research. In addition, you will build your first pitch deck, and begin interviewing law firms for your company.

Revenue Models

Chose an idea and a model.

Date: Feb 07, 2017
Starts at: 08:30 pm (America/New_York)

Mentor Idea Review

Present your idea for feedback.

Date: Feb 15, 2017
Starts at: 08:30 pm (America/New_York)

The Mentor Idea Review is the first major test in the Founder Institute Program. During this session, every founder presents a three minute pitch to a large number of entrepreneur and CEO mentors for evaluation and feedback. These mentors will grade you on many criteria, such as the validity and market potential of your ideas, and your understanding of your target customer. After the session, you will incorporate their feedback into your planning, begin to set up your company and marketing infrastructure, and more.

Startup Legal and IP

Build a legal and IP strategy.

Date: Feb 21, 2017
Starts at: 08:30 pm (America/New_York)

Team and Advisors

Recruit your first team members.

Date: Feb 28, 2017
Starts at: 08:30 pm (America/New_York)

Product Development

Plan to build your offering.

Date: Mar 13, 2017
Starts at: 09:30 pm (America/New_York)

Quickly releasing a product is critical towards getting the feedback you need to build a successful company. This week, top product-oriented entrepreneurs will teach you the basics of product development, and how to advance from an idea to an offering on a budget. Assignments include additional customer development, determining the key features to prioritize with your product, building a product roadmap and “first release” plan, and more.

Mentor Progress Review

Present your progress for feedback.

Date: Mar 14, 2017
Starts at: 09:30 pm (America/New_York)

Similar to the "Mentor Idea Review", this is the second major test in the program. In the “Mentor Progress Review”, you will present a three minute pitch to a large number of mentors for feedback and evaluation, focusing on aspects like your recent progress and product planning. Afterwards, you will incorporate their feedback into your pitch deck, revenue, hiring, and product plans, begin forming the advisory board for your company, and more.

Sales and Traction

Start generating traction.

Date: Mar 21, 2017
Starts at: 09:30 pm (America/New_York)

If you can’t get customers to use and pay for your product, then nothing else matters. During the session, you will learn how to “hustle” to identify and close your first customers from entrepreneurs that have done it before. Then, you will put everything you have built to the test, by releasing your first product (if you have not already), securing your first (or new) customers, testing different pricing, and more.

Branding and Marketing

Establish market credibility.

Date: Mar 28, 2017
Starts at: 09:30 pm (America/New_York)

As new platforms and technologies mature, the rules of marketing for technology companies are constantly changing. This week is all about learning the latest strategies, “growth hacking” tactics, and tools to generate distribution and traction for your product. Assignments include identifying and building relationships with the key influencers in your industry, building a PR and distribution strategy, developing a company blog and social media presence, and more.

Bootstrapping and Fundraising

Capitalize the business.

Date: Apr 04, 2017
Starts at: 09:30 pm (America/New_York)

Every company needs capital to grow, and it can come from revenue or outside sources like investors. This finance heavy session will educate you on the different strategies, structures, and tactics for getting investment, as well as how to bootstrap and manage your company cash flow to profitability. After the session, you will consult with your Directors and Advisors to form a plan to capitalize your company, and take various steps depending on the strategy you choose.

Graduation

Graduate from the program.

Date: Apr 11, 2017
Starts at: 09:30 pm (America/New_York)

Most people that enter the program do not make it to Graduation, because the Founder Institute curriculum is very demanding. However, the select few that Graduate have achieved several years of progress on their startup in just a few months. We typically celebrate the Graduating class with a small event attended by family members, mentors, investors, and more. Afterwards, Graduates gain access to the Founder Institute network, tools, and ongoing resources… and the real work of building and growing an enduring company begins!

Post Program Resources

The 4 month Core-Program is just the beginning. We have developed extensive support programs and resources for our Alumni that far exceed any other comparable startup program.

Continued Support

FI Alumni
  • Dedicated Alumni Support Team in Silicon Valley
  • Access to the world's largest network of mentors and investors (35,000+)
  • Private Alumni mailing lists
  • $2M+ in partner discounts
  • Invites to FI sessions & network events
  • Potentail introductions to investors

Post-Programs

Founder Lab
  • A series of virtual advisory programs where you work with our Silicon Valley HQ team to reach next milestones
  • Funding Lab helps get your lead investor within 6 months
  • P/M Fit Lab (2023) helps you get to Product Market Fit
  • FI Venture Network helps you get intros to investors
  • 100% customized and FREE for Alumni