A Bootcamp for the Startup-Curious
OpenToStart, by the Founder Institute, is a free online bootcamp to help anyone that is open to starting a company get the connections and feedback needed to make the right decision. The last cohort is now closed, but you can submit your email for the next program.
De-Risk Your Startup Decision
For new and aspiring entrepreneurs, making 'the leap' can be scary, risky, and lonely. That's why we created OpenToStart specifically for:
- Anyone that has been laid off or looking to pursue something new
- Anyone interested in teaming up with other aspiring entrepreneurs
- Anyone with startup ideas that want to learn the first steps
100% Free, and 100% Focused
Bootcamp Goals
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Evaluate and improve your startup ideas
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Connect with potential co-founders and collaborators
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Get feedback from experienced startup advisors
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Decide if this is right time for you to start a company
Bootcamp Structure
The 4-week online bootcamp consists of live workshops with startup experts, practical exercises, and multiple networking opportunities. You can jump in or out at any time.
Bootcamp Dates
OpenToStart Kickoff
The bootcamp starts off with an opportunity to network and exchange ideas with other aspiring entrepreneurs. In addition, you will learn the bootcamp structure and set your short-term goals.
- Meet other aspiring entrepreneurs
- Share ideas and get inspired
- Learn the bootcamp structure
Ideas & Validation 101
Falling in love with a startup idea can be dangerous. This week will provide you with the basic knowledge, techniques, and tools to form and analyze ideas, and start the validation process.
- Generate and refine several ideas
- Perform initial market research
- Interview potential customers
Co-Founders & Teambuilding
Startups are rarely built alone. During this week, you will learn the best practices for co-founder and team relationships, determine your immediate team needs, and start your team-building journey.
- Assess co-founder and team needs
- Create a concise team-building pitch
- Connect with potential collaborators
Pitching & Feedback
An entrepreneur never stops pitching their ideas. This week will focus on refining your pitch and getting feedback from experienced entrepreneurs and advisors, to help you determine your next steps.
- Craft a solid written and verbal pitch
- Get honest feedback from experts
- Make a decision on pursuing your idea
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The real question is: can the Founder Institute be game-changing for your business? The answer is yes. Without FI, Udemy may have never raised any money.
Gagan BiyaniUdemy (IPO, 2021) -
Oddbox wouldn't exist without the Founder Institute. FI gave me the structure I needed to take Oddbox from idea to MVP but also pushed, challenged and guided me through the steps, insecurities and excitement of building an impact-led business.
Emilie VanpoperingheOddbox (£20M in funding) -
The Founder Institute was instrumental in helping us understand how to validate our idea in the market, and helped us develop the entrepreneurial mindset required to build a startup.
Renato PaquetPolen (top 10 in Open Startups Ranking)
Start your Journey
It only takes 1 minute to register for OpenToStart. You can jump in or out of the bootcamp at any time.
About OpenToStart
OpenToStart is a free initiative from the Founder Institute, the world's largest pre-seed startup accelerator. Since 2009, the Founder Institute has helped tens of thousands of employees and new/ idea-stage entrepreneurs validate, test, and launch startups worth an estimated $20BN BN+. Our mission is to activate and empower talented and motivated entrepreneurs to build meaningful technology businesses worldwide.
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The Founder Institute is the world’s most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses. Since 2009, our structured accelerator programs have helped over 7,500 entrepreneurs raise over $1.85BN in funding. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 100 countries, our mission is to empower communities of talented and motivated people to build impactful technology companies worldwide.
