Startup Monthly Idea Accelerator Program #2

Startup Monthly Idea Accelerator Program #2

What is Idea Accelerator?

5 weeks program that will help you and your team to show traction of your idea to a panel of investors and advisors during Final Demo event. During the program you will learn and use Customer Development and Lean Startup methodology to iterate quickly, define your Business Model and rapidly prototype you idea.

Program Schedule:

5 weeks program from September 7th - October 16th which includes 6 events:

Wednesday, September 7th (6:30pm-9:30pm) - Pitch your initial BMC (Business Model Canvas), location: Google Headquarters ( 1950 Charleston Road
Mountain View, CA 94043), Bodega Bay room. Wednesday, September 14th (6:30pm-9:30pm) - Recruit missing resources; Define marketing strategy; Prototype core features, location: Facebook Headquarters, Palo Alto Wednesday, September 21st (6:30pm-9:30pm) - Office Hours: Get help, ask questions; Use meeting space to meet with the team (optional), location: Facebook Headquarters, Palo Alto Wednesday, September 28th (6:30pm-9:30pm) - Validate hypotheses about your business model; Present prototype to rotating panel of advisers, location: AOL, Palo Alto Wednesday, October 5th (6:30pm-9:30pm) - Present initial metrics for tracking success; Present a live product, location: AOL, Palo Alto Sunday, October 16th, 2011 (5pm-8:30pm) - (https://www.meetup.com/StartupMonthly/events/28533281/) Final Demo (https://www.meetup.com/StartupMonthly/events/28533281/) - Present your results to the panel of judges (investors, serial entrepreneurs, industry experts), vote for the top 3 teams, and get guidance on the next steps. The final will be hosted at Perkins Coie LLP, Palo Alto offices. During the weeks between events, teams will have to meet, work together and get ready to present results in the next event. Each event is a milestone in your project and if you work hard you will be to accelerate your idea to a working product.

How do I apply to the Idea Accelerator program?

If you want to apply to Idea Accelerator program you must apply with your team of 3-5 team members. If you have a team of 2 or less we suggest to participate in our Ice Breaker event (https://www.meetup.com/StartupMonthly/events/26294251/) that will help meet people you would like to work with.

Online RSVP will be available until Monday, August 29th, 11:59pm. All the teams will be reviewed by Startup Monthly team and acceptance notice will be sent by Thursday, September 1st, 11:59pm.

Submit your team application form here (https://docs.google.com/a/startupmonthly.org/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dEI5VFRKREtXX0w3TUFmZU5qbFVzaVE6MQ#gid=0)

How will teams be chosen from the Ice Breaker into the "Idea Accelerator" Program?

Well roundedness of teams. Teams have a strong mix of biz, dev, marketing, and idea co-founders (as necessary): 3-5 team members. Team cohesiveness. Participants must be able to listen to new ideas. Participants must be committed for 5 weeks. Participants that have worked together are welcome to join. Ideas that can be tested using Lean Startup methodology which can quickly define a minimum viable product (MVP), create a prototype, and perform a private launch.

What resources should my team have?

3-5 team members

Idea Person

Bring an idea to the program. Unite group members around idea while being able to accept changes to initial idea. Developer - at least 1

Lead development of MVP and help grow the idea into a product. Designer

Identify user needs and communicate design deliverables, such as specifications, storyboards, and illustrations. Develop new visual product identity, brand experience, and apply design elements to rough sketches and wireframes. Business Person

Conduct market research to define problem and customer interaction with the product. Marketing Person

Define how the product will be marketed to the customer and help spread the word of your product’s service.

Can I come with an existing team?

Yes. If you come with a team that is missing a couple resources you will be able to add them during the Ice Breaker (https://www.meetup.com/StartupMonthly/events/26294251/) after attracting them with your idea and the existing team. If you don't need additional team members, you can apply without the Ice Breaker although the Ice Breaker is a great way to meet the program organizers and other participants.

RSVP details:

$100 for Developer/Designer

$150 for Business/Marketing

The price includes access to all program events (6 events) and food/drinks at all the events.

If you have questions, feel free to send them to team@startupmonthly.org

Looking forward to work with you and your team

Startup Monthly Team