Schedule

When you enroll in the FI Core Program, you can immediately start onboarding by following a guided process where you will learn how the program works, tips to get the most benefits, and details on the perks of Graduating from the Founder Institute. 

This Session takes the founders on the journey how to really build your organisation!Formerly we called it "Hardware: starting up the hard way". Now, we shifted the focus towards all aspects of scaling up and the challenges to overcome the various steps in diversification and professionalisation.Your goal is to help the Founders in the class understand the topic from your perspective.
Some potential content:- what is a "hardware Startup" (only producing companies? also engineering such as Thermondo?)- What are Milestones from R&D to industrial production,  what are the major challenges in developing and growing a hardware startup- which Hardware companies stand for successful ramp upsless hardware related topics:- what are the growth stages in a startup, how do you plan and address them internally (growing the team) and externally (supply chain, customers, other satkeholders) - which strategies and business cases exist to master these challenges (incl. examples)- which exemplary failures are there to illustrate the challenges (how to successfully fuck up...)- what are the methods of product development and release: iterative processes, decision making, project planning- what are feasible strategies to build and protect IP: patents, speed, specialisation..- how to develop a winning working capital strategy
Your speaking time is about 15-20 min + Q&A. There will be a Q&A session with all of the Mentors. After this a Founder Hotseat, where Founders will pitch and the mentors will provide feedback. A good presentation provides actionable shortcuts, tips, resources and personal advice for Founders to complete topical assignments. We will have a "post-session" social, which is optional for you to attend as this will increase your rating by the Founders. If you would like to sign up to do one-one office hours with the Founders, you can sign up through your profile by clicking "Host Office Hours" and following the instructions.

Similar to the Mentor Idea Review, the Investor Progress Review is the second major test in the program. In this session, Founders will focus on give a long presentation their progress and traction to a panel of Investor for a detailed review. Mentors will evaluate Founders based on their progress in the program, the company’s scalability, and more.

Sprints

Below are just a few of the 10-15 deliverables you’ll complete through Working Groups and Office Hours: 

1. Polished Investor Pitch Deck - Create an expanded, 12-slide pitch deck incorporating any feedback from the Investor Progress Review, using our templates. 
2. Growth - Make progress on your growth goals, and examine or adjust how your strategy and the system to keep yourself accountable is performing.
3. Product - Make progress on your next product release, and outline and address any of the setbacks that you have faced with your project team.
4. Hiring Needs - Score the progress of each member of your project team on a 1 to 10 scale, including yourself, and set up plans to improve those that are struggling. 
5. Finalize Advisory Board - Set up your advisory board with startup, industry, technology or marketing advisors, and set up a one hour conference call with all of the them, which will be your first quarterly advisory board meeting.
6. Financial Model Update - Review and update your financial model with the work done to date. Adjust the revenue projections based on your growth thus far, and evaluate the need and requirements for external funding. 

Completing the Founder Institute is an honor. The program is challenging, and the expectations are demanding.

In this final session, you will celebrate with your peers, friends and family, as well as select Mentors. Some Founders will also pitch to a live audience, and you will officially onboard to all of the post-program resources and assistance the Founder Institute provides.