Phoenix Startup Founder 101

Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to be inherently creative or experience a magical 'aha' moment to come up with a great startup idea. In reality, anyone can generate innovative business ideas by following a structured process. In this live event, Jonathan Greechan (Co-Founder & CEO of Founder Institute) will share a proven framework for crafting great startup ideas, drawn from his experience working with over 10,000 startups worldwide. Attendees will also have the chance to share their ideas and connect with aspiring entrepreneurs in their space. If you have rough ideas and aren't sure what to do next, this is the event to attend!

❯ Who Should Attend:

• Anyone who has an early-stage company or a startup idea
• Anyone who would like feedback on their idea or pitch
• Anyone that is interested in joining a new startup or looking for a co-founder

❯ What You'll Gain:

• Common mistakes and misconceptions around startup ideas.
• The methods startups use to consistently find great ideas.
• Six frameworks to come up startup ideas.
• Structured Networking and Idea-Sharing Session.

❯ Featured Expert:

Countless studies have shown entrepreneurship and new business creation to be the largest drivers of job creation, GDP growth, and social mobility. Yet, most economic development strategies focus on scaling the few breakout startups rather than cultivating their vast pool of untapped entrepreneurial talent. Drawing on the longest and most comprehensive study on the social science of entrepreneurship (16+ years), this session introduces a practical framework for unlocking entrepreneurial potential in your region and translating it into measurable outcomes.

❯ What You'll Learn:

• Why startups, not corporations, create nearly all net new jobs — and how to capture this impact locally.
• The 5-step rule (Identify --> Educate → Activate → Accelerate → Scale) that governments, chambers, and cities can use to build thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems.
• How to quantify entrepreneurial potential using data-driven insights from 16+ years of research.
• The key entrepreneurial traits (curiosity, perseverance, self-reliance) that drive success, and how to develop them in your community.
• How regions can leverage their unique strengths instead of trying to be “the next Silicon Valley.”
• Why early-stage support and mindset development matter more than skills training alone.
• How to activate new funders and capital sources to sustain ecosystem growth.

❯ About the Speaker: