Startup Programs
Your Journey Starts Here
Have an idea? We can help. We built a comprehensive system of programs and services for you, aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs. Ready to be resourced, supported, and confident in your tech startup journey? Let’s get started.
From Idea to Launch and Growth
Turn Your Roadmap into Reality
As seasoned tech entrepreneurs, we understand firsthand the commitment and resources it takes to get an idea off the ground. That’s why our tech startup pipeline consists of four distinct programs strategically designed to maximize your potential for learning, growing, and funding as you progress along your journey. We’ve also wrapped in no-cost coaching, and professional services like software development, lead generation, and ongoing consulting as core components of our startup pipeline.
Keep reading to see where you fit in!
Startup Programs
We offer a program for you to be successful in every stage of your journey. Whether you’re just starting out with an idea, or you have some traction underneath you, we’ll meet you where you’re at. Bounce My Big Idea is the first step for entry into our pipeline of startup programs. Let's roll—er, bounce!
Establishing your idea is a great first step, but is it worth pursuing? This workshop gives you access to leading tools and expert coaching to stress test whether your idea is capable of being a successful business, before you develop the wrong product or launch a failed business model.
Test if Your Idea Can Be a Successful Business
Bounce My Big Idea is a four-week, cohort-based, online workshop offered multiple times per year. If at the end of the workshop your business model appears to be desirable, viable, and feasible, you are eligible to apply for the 120-Day Tech Startup program.
During the Cohort-Based Online Workshop, You Will:
- Search for a model you can monetize
- Test if customers want your product
- Forecast your idea’s financial potential
- Craft your business model pitch
Your application for Bounce My Big Idea will also be used for the 120-Day Tech Startup program if you are eligible and decide to apply. Admission is limited.
What drives customers to switch to or seek out your product? In 120-Day Tech Startup, our seasoned coaches help you understand customer journeys, create prototypes for you to demo and sell before you build your product, and prepare you to raise pre-seed and angel capital to launch your company on a customized path to success.
Fast-Track Your Tech Product
Our 120-Day Tech Startup program moves your idea forward with 1:1 coaching, software development, and access to pre-seed capital. Learn a systems-based approach to test the viability of your idea and establish demand. We will show you how to drive customer interest to your tech product or service before building it. If you are an individual or a team with ideas for a software-based or enhanced product with high-growth potential, and you are located in southern Missouri, you are eligible to participate!
How the Program Works:
- 100% virtual with scheduled evening activities
- 8 workshops, 2 hours each
- Learn by doing and build a prototype
- Coaching and feedback from successful tech entrepreneurs
- Team discussions and private forums
During The Program, You Can Expect:
- A business model blueprint and traction roadmap for key milestones and validation.
- An identified opportunity worth pursuing and a clear understanding of the forces that would cause customers to switch to your product.
- A working prototype and a knowledge of the smallest thing (product) desirable, viable, and feasible to acquire customers (MDVFP).
- Sufficient tangible commitments (registrations, subscriptions) from customers.
- The knowledge to be able to make an evidence-based go/no-go decision to move forward on the idea.
Compete for $100K Pre-Seed Funding
Successful participants will compete for $100K pre-seed SAFE note or Cash Flow debt investments from a regional fund, co-investment from state and other funds, and be admitted to the Pre-Accelerator Program.
We provide coaching and an innovative set of structured no-cost services to help promising tech startups launch, go to market, and gain traction. Companies who successfully complete the 120-Day Tech Startup, or similar programs or demonstrated progress, with pre-seed funding, are eligible.
Stand Up Your Company and MVP
During the pre-accelerator, we will help you organize and execute the concurrent activities that lead to the market launch and early traction of your new company. Organized in a series of sprints bulleted below, you'll be guided through formation, branding, MDVFP development, and launch customer acquisition tactics in the first 90 days. With the traction you can generate, we will help you prospect and prepare to pitch investors for additional pre-seed and seed funding.
How the Pre-Accelerator Works:
- 100% virtual, cohorts every 6 months
- Structured weekly workshops & check-ins
- Coaching by experienced tech founders
- Problem/solution fit required for eligibility
During The Pre-Accelerator, You Can Expect:
Formation, Launch and Management
- C-Corp registration and organization
- Board selection and management
- Capitalization and financial organization
- Financial management and systems
- Traction plan and management
Branding
- Brand positioning and development
- Logo and branding guidelines
- Initial website and landing pages
- Initial social media pages
Product Development and Launch
- Assigned software development team
- Prototype to MDVFP and project management
- Testing and user engagement
- Rollout strategies and implementation
Customer Acquisition and Revenue
- Prospecting strategies and systems
- Lead generation and management
- Traction roadmap to $100k ARR
- Closing sales and funnel management
Pre-seed and Seed Funding
- Traction road map and round strategy
- Data room and pitch decks
- Friends, family, and angels prospecting
- Pitching and round management
We help companies who successfully complete our Pre-accelerator (or similar program and demonstrated traction) boost customer acquisition and sales, and plan for continued product and business development success.
Grow Your Business
In the 6-month Accelerator program, we will help companies who successfully complete our Pre-accelerator (or similar program and traction) expand their customer and sales growth. At the end of the program, you will have a complete picture of the requirements for the success of your startup as it continues to grow. We provide critical coaching on how to plan for the internal growth of your staff and business and work with you to create a product roadmap that will continue to produce more customers and revenue. Entrepreneurs who successfully complete the Pre-Accelerator and receive pre-seed or seed investments from the network's regional fund will be required to complete the 6-month Accelerator.
Accelerator in a Nutshell:
- 100% virtual, cohorts every 6 months
- Structured weekly workshops and check-ins
- Coaching by experienced tech founders
- Problem/solution fit required for eligibility
During The Accelerator, You Can Expect:
Talent Attraction and Management
- Staffing and organizational planning
- Prospecting and recruiting
- Culture and person environment fit
- Co-founders and stock options
Product Development Roadmap
- Customer-driven product development
- Feature and function evaluation
- Development roadmap management
- Internal/external development
Customer and Revenue Growth
- Traction roadmap to $100K ARR
- Lead generation and management
- Closing sales and revenue traction
- Get, keep, and grow funnel management
Venture Funding
- Traction road map and round strategy
- Data room and pitch decks
- Firm, fund and investor prospecting
- Pitching and round management
The journey from idea to launch and growth isn't always a straight path. Wherever you are on your journey, we're happy to chat and determine how we can help. Schedule time with our startup team.
Our Startup Programs, In a Nutshell
100% Virtual
For Entrepreneurs, By Entrepreneurs
No-cost Coaching
No-cost Professional Services and Mentoring
No-cost Software Development Services
Rapid Prototyping
Tech Talent and Leadership
Startup Resources
Whether you're looking for funding, setting up the foundations of your tech business, or trying to find your ideal customers, we've got you covered.
Services
Core services to put your company on a roadmap to success.
Services info coming soon!
Events
The connections you need to fuel your entrepreneurial spirit.
Events info coming soon!
