Are you curious about entrepreneurship but not sure how to begin? Attend the Business Plan Practicum “Resource Night” sessions each week and learn the essentials of business planning first-hand from local entrepreneurs. In the January 28 session, we shift from product to PLAN. In this session, we will discuss the “3 Cs” of playing field assessment, review how investors look at risk, and learn how to use a “SWOT” analysis to your advantage. Our guest speaker will be Jim Xiao, CEO/Founder of Mason. Mason was created to systematically remove any barriers preventing innovators from turning ideas into smart products. Cloud infrastructure gave developers modern tools to build digital empires. Mason is doing the same thing for smart products on the edge. Welcome to mobile Infrastructure-as-a-Service. Learn about why Jim Xiao started Mason from this post on Medium, and check out this article on Geekwire. Students will adjourn at 7pm to attend Networking Night, part of the Science + Technology Showcase. This event is for students only, and is designed to aid in team formation. Students from all disciplines are welcome to attend – click here to RSVP.
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This lecture is part of the Business Plan Practicum course (ENTRE 440/540). The course is taught by John Zagula, founding partner at Ignition Capital. Students are encouraged to enroll in the course to gain access to course materials, office hours, pitch workshops and will have the opportunity to make a final pitch in front of a panel of experts (prizes included!). Non-students are also welcome to drop-in and learn the essentials of business planning and to hear first-hand from local entrepreneurs. Please note that the first 45 minutes of each evening is a participatory lecture, followed by the featured guest speaker(s). |