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Innovation Mindset in 8 Weeks
Dare To Launch
For Entrepreneurs and Innovators
Learn from the best innovation experts, Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders how to launch, grow and fund an idea.
Present your idea to investors and leaders in 8 weeks.
IS THIS YOU?
I have an idea but I don't know how to monetize it.
I admire entrepreneurs who build impactful businesses out of seemingly nothing. How do I do that when all I have is an idea?
When is the right time to fully commit to my business idea?
Job descriptions require new skills. How can I develop an "entrepreneurial mindset" without working for a startup?
I feel lonely on my innovation journey - none of my friends or colleagues understand me.
I have a hard time convincing my boss of my ideas. How can I be more effective in pitching my ideas?
I do not have the right network to fundraise for my business.
I work full-time but have a side hustle. I don't know which step to take next. It's overwhelming.
IF THIS IS YOU, I HAVE GOOD NEWS FOR YOU
We created a mini MBA for entrepreneurs like YOU to launch your business with the help of 40 of the best Silicon Valley founders, investors and thought leaders.
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SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE?
Listen to what Chelsey Glasson, Founder of Crucé has to say:
Enrolling in the GUILD Academy was on my bucket list for a while, and boy am I happy that I finally took the leap and completed the course! I've worked in product development and design for over a decade at some of the world's most notable tech companies including Google and Facebook. All those years I dreamed of using my skills to start my own company, but I hadn't the slightest clue as to how to get started.
Launching a company felt risky, daunting, complicated...surely not something I could do.
In just eight weeks I went from idea to launching a public benefit corporation ..., all thanks to the GUILD Academy and Anne Cocquyt's fantastic coaching.
Chelsey Glasson, Founder of Crucé
WHAT IF YOU, TOO COULD...
... launch your idea in 2 months
... pursue your dreams
... create impact in the world
... convince others to buy into your vision
... monetize your idea
... pitch with confidence
THE TRUTH IS
Traditional MBAs are not that useful anymore;
... and overpriced IMHO
You meet professors and "experts" whose knowledge is not that relevant by the time they teach. We live in a fast-moving technology and startup world. Furthermore, the templates they share (if any) are not practical. You might learn how to account for a car on your company's balance sheet, but what about practical advice for first-time entrepreneurs who don't have a company car just yet?
I love how current and up to date all the course work is (my college reading materials were so out of date which made it difficult to relate to!). The subject matter experts for each AMA session have been excellent!
- Participant in Cohort 6
LISTEN TO WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO SAY
Participating in the Guild Academy 8 week virtual accelerator course gave me essentially everything I wish I had not learned the hard way!
The information presented was perfectly distilled and action-oriented. The pacing of the curriculum, the inspirational speakers provided prescient take-ways, the access to experts and the ability to ask focused questions pertaining to my startup was absolutely invaluable to me and my team.
I think everyone who is considering a startup or business, who is currently in one, or who needs some additional focused training, should go through this accelerator.
You will up-level everything you know or thought you knew about the science and art of creating and sustaining a successful business. Do yourself and your team a favor - sign up, invest the time, and get ready to 10x what you are capable of.
Dr. Julie Hakim, MD and Founder of a Vaginal Stent
WE INVITE YOU TO
Make a commitment and start your entrepreneurial journey today
In this step-by-step program, you will learn how to use existing tools to prototype your idea, get user feedback early on, make confident startup decision so that by the time you launch your product or service, it is something people can't wait to get their hands on and willing to pay for!
Short-cut the Blah Blah and endless Googling, build your products with confidence, avoid expensive mistakes and learn how to build the network to fundraise for your company
We asked over 40 of Silicon Valley’s best and most reputable experts to share their top insights and knowledge with you.
ABOUT THE ACADEMY
Meet the speakers who share their expertise,
insights, unique perspectives and
company-building secrets with you
Learn from them in video modules, recorded interviews, live ask me anything sessions, webinars, panel conversations and pitch feedback sessions.
THE GUILD ACADEMY PROGRAM
The GUILD Academy is for you if you are an aspiring entrepreneur ready to put in the hard work to build a scalable and fundable business.
The 8-week program provides the foundation for startup success.
Get your questions answered within 24 hrs (and many times within minutes) right in the course activity feed or group chat and join office hours
Join weekly live study hall sessions with live speakers for the 8-week program (recordings will be shared)
Read-Set-Go Startup Templates (Examples: Idea decision matrix, user interview templates, business model canvas, co-founder checklist, fundraising pipeline, ready to launch checklist, ...)
Access to recorded "Ask Me Anything" sessions with leading experts for each of the modules from past cohorts.
ACT NOW BONUS:
1 x 45 min 1:1 startup strategy sessions with Anne Cocquyt - book when it fits your schedule best
Complete all tasks and showcase your startup at the next GUILD Startup Showcase
Lifetime access to all course materials
PLUS:
A signed copy of the book DARE TO LAUNCH with lots of case studies from the GUILD Academy participants by Anne Cocquyt.
8 Modules with short video masterclasses in each module full of advice by world experts in building successful businesses (no blah blah)
A Toolbox and recommendations with the best software tools and solutions for your journey as a builder and founder
Your personal Workbook with practical exercises and mastermind prompts
Highly curated content libraries with up-to-date articles, podcasts, recordings, books and tools to dive deeper
SCHEDULE & TIME COMMITTMENT
weekly (8 weeks)
Saturdays: New Module Drops 30 min video material + curated resources
Wed 12 - 1 pm PST live session with expert and program host
(recordings will be shared)
Optional Mastermind Group Session (1 hr) Choose dates and time that work for you
Build Your Startup Exercises We recommend 3-4 hrs each week to put learnings into action
one-time
1 x 45 min Startup Strategy Session with Anne Cocquyt to strategize your launch
1.5 hr Startup Showcase to pitch your company if you completed 80% of the exercises.
Book additional 1:1 Business Advice Sessions as you need. Recommended: 1-2
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THE GUILD ACADEMY
TO LAUNCH YOUR STARTUP
SILICON-VALLEY STYLE
In module one of the program, we focus on VALIDATING YOUR IDEA and setting goals. Define what success looks like. Give yourself permission to brainstorm and fully discover your curiosity. Use GUILD templates to prioritize your ideas and decide which idea to take through this program.
Study Hall Welcome: Join us at the GUILD study hall session and bring your questions.
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Set SMART goals for the program
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Create your Idea Wallet and Bug List
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Sort your ideas
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Decide on an idea to pursue with the help of the idea decision matrix
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Find out which entrepreneur's face you are
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Decide on your secret reward when completing the program
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Meet your peers
Module 2 is a masterclass in USER RESEARCH. As entrepreneurs we have to be brave and talk to people! This will be a big part of your entrepreneurial journey ... have a curious mindset and ask your target customer about their experiences with the problem you are solving. At the end of this module you will have talked to 5-10 users and know with confidence their biggest pain point and who you are targeting.
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Define a clear and concise user persona
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Schedule your first user interview
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Get step-by-step tactics how to reach out to users
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Utilize the ready-set-go user interview template
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Articulate the problem you are solving
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Create your first pitch deck slide
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Capture feedback in the User Emotions Template
In Module 3 you will learn how to build a PRODUCT PROMISE landing page.
Decide which no-code or low-code platform to use without tech overwhelm and which elements you need for a convincing product promise landing page.
You will test your assumptions with your first A/B test and learn which tools to use to measure success.
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Build your product promise landing page to test your problem statement
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Decide with confidence which platform to use with the GUILD toolbox
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Implement analytics to evaluate your success
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Learn how to write website copy
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Create your first campaign to capture and convert website traffic into sales
In module 4 you put on the hat of a product manager and build your MINIMUM VIABLE PRODUCT. You will also play Chief Branding Officer and decide on your core values.
Build a low-fidelity prototype to mimic the functionality of your solution. Prioritize key features of your product. Explore no-code tools available to build your MVP.
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Decide with confidence which features to build and cut cost
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Understand the different types of MVPs
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Choose your no-code tool to put a functional MVP together