South Dakota Fast Launch Is Back
Fall 2022 & Early Spring 2023 Training Schedule
Reservations required for each training session. To reserve a spot, e-mail DSU-PaulsonCenter@dsu.edu with information on the date, title of workshop, preference for in-person or on-line (Zoom) instruction and your name and contact information. We also have numerous other workshops that are not listed here. We may offer them in the future. If you would like a specific workshop, please contact us and let us know. Additionally, we offer one-on-one consulting to help with your business needs. Feel free to contact us.FAST Launch (In-person or On-line)
FAST Launch is a joint program of SD BioTech, EPSCoR, and Dakota State University. The purpose of FAST Launch is to help people develop their business idea through the lean launch methodology by engaging in customer discovery and business model validation. FAST Launch is also designed to prepare people for the Governor’s Giant Vision Competition which will be held April 25, 2023 as well as other business competitions.
Bootcamp is the first workshop in the series and is then followed by customer discovery and business planning. Bootcamp is an intensive seven-hour workshop that combines eight weeks of material on lean methodology, business model canvas, and other business processes to introduce the concepts to anyone interested in starting a business, non-profit, or internal organizational project. This is the outline version of Launch Lab. For those interested in more instruction and mentoring in the concepts of Bootcamp, please sign-up for Launch Lab.
Customer Discovery teaches people communication techniques and question development for effective primary research on the business concept’s viability and eventually potential features.
Business Planning teaches people the basics of a summary business plan and financial information. The format for the Governor’s Giant Vision Competition will be used.
Each session of Bootcamp, Customer Discovery, or Business Planning presents the same material, so only one session is needed. Please select a preference for in-person instruction or on-line instruction. In-person sessions are held at the Entrepreneurial Building at Dakota State University, 1400 N. Washington Avenue, Madison, SD 57042. On-line participants will be provided a Zoom (or other) link for the session. Instructor: Katherine Cota M.A., M.B.A., Director of Economic Development
Bootcamp
October 26 & 28 (Wednesday and Friday) : 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. each dayDecember 6, 7, & 8 (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) : 2:30-5 p.m. each day
December 17 (Saturday) : 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
February 11 (Saturday) : 8:30 a.m-4 p.m.
Customer Discovery
November 1 (Tuesday) : 3:30-5 p.m.November 2 (Wednesday) : 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
November 3 (Thursday) : 8:30-10 a.m.
November 4 (Friday) : 3-4:30 p.m.
December 15 (Thursday) : 3:30-5 p.m.
December 16 (Friday) :11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
January 21 (Saturday) : 8:30-10 a.m.
January 31 (Tuesday) : 3:30-5 p.m.
February 2 (Thursday) : 3:30-5 p.m.
February 16 (Thursday) : 4-5:30 p.m.
Business Planning
November 8 (Tuesday) : 4-5 p.m.November 9 (Wednesday) : Noon-1 p.m.
November 10 (Thursday) : 9-10 a.m.
January 21 (Saturday) : 10:15-11:15 a.m.
February 7 (Tuesday) : 4-5 p.m.
February 9 (Thursday) : 4-5 p.m.
February 16 (Thursday) : 5:45-6:45 p.m.
Launch Lab (In-person and On-line)
Launch Lab is a multi-week immersion into lean launch methodology and the business model canvas. Business ideas are developed through a process of hypothesis testing and validating through customer feedback. Assumptions are challenged weekly by evaluators/mentors and the business teams are guided by the course instructor. At the end of the process, the business team has a minimal viable product that has been market validated. Attendees register for the entire series of sessions. Attendees cannot take individual sessions since the material builds on the previous session. Registration is required by the deadline before the first class session to allow the business team to do the required pre-work to be ready for the first class session. Instructor: Katherine Cota M.A., M.B.A., Director of Economic DevelopmentFall 2022
Wednesdays, October 12, 19, 26, November 2, and 9
4-6 p.m. class sessions
Wednesday, November 16 : Noon-1 p.m. final presentation and luncheon
End of February Governor’s Giant Vision Competition Submission Deadline
Spring 2023
Wednesday, December 14 : 5 p.m. deadline for registration; begin pre-work
Wednesday, January 4 :4-6 p.m. first class session
Wednesdays, January 11, 18, 25, February 1, and 8 : 4-6 p.m. class sessions
Wednesday, February 15 : Noon-1 p.m. final presentation and luncheon
End of February Governor’s Giant Vision Competition Submission Deadline
Learn @ Lunch (On-line and In-person)
These are short workshops on topical areas important to businesses, organizations, and individuals. No dates have been set for this academic year. Dates are to be determined (TBD) or can be requested (on-demand). Instructor: Katherine Cota M.A., M.B.A., Director of Economic Development
TBD/On-Demand Noon-12:50 p.m. Personal Elevator Pitch
TBD/On-Demand Noon-12:50 p.m. Non-verbal Communication (abbreviated)
TBD/On-Demand Noon-12:50 p.m. Building a Great Company
Workshops (On-line and In-person)
These workshops provide practical information on various aspects of business or personal development. No dates have been set for this academic year. Dates are to be determined (TBD) or can be requested (on-demand). Instructor for Business Topics: Katherine Cota M.A., M.B.A., Director of Economic Development; Instructor for Accounting & Financial Statement Topics: Scott Morstad, J.D., M.B.A., Assistant Professor of Accounting & Business Law
TBD 2 Hours How to Start a Business
TBD 2 Hours Marketing Basics
TBD 2 Hours Intellectual Property
TBD 1 ½ Hours Fundamental Accounting Concepts & Related Financial Statements
TBD 1 ½ Hours Business Entities & Financial Statement Analysis
TBD 2 Hours Sources of Funding & Pitching to Investors
TBD 2 Hours Non-verbal Communication
Fast Launch Info Flyer
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