This workshop, hosted the Adams Center for Entrepreneurship at FAU, in conjunction with The Hatchery  of New York (http://hatchery.vc) and peerbackers.com, is designed to increase the readiness of any business for investment and growth.  Ticket price includes lunch.

Event sponsored by Northwestern Mutual  http://northwesternmutual.com

The agenda:

8:00-8:30      Registration/Refreshments/Networking

8:30-9:00      Opening Remarks Kimberly Gramm, Director, Adams Center for Entrepreneurship at Florida Atlantic University, Welcome & Yao-Hui Huang, The Hatchery, Opening Remarks

Morning Sessions will focus on the core components of any Business. (One or two ventures will have the opportunity to have their business used as a case study by the presenters).

9:15- 10:00  Market Need. Identifying true market need and best ways to capture that market – includes developing/partnering with sales funnels and how to attract & convert customers. (Presenter: Yao-Hui Huang, The Hatchery, New York)

 10:15- 11:15 Revenue/Business models.  Not only is the business model important, in some cases  the innovation rests not in the product or service but in the business model itself.  Session covers key components of the business model – ie., value proposition, market segment, revenue generation models and competitive strategy/differentiation.(Presenter, David Blumenstein, The Hatchery)

11:30 – 12:15  Investment potential & readiness.  Turn ventures into attractive funding opportunities.What financial information and forecasts investors looks for, what expertise an investor expects in a management team, importance of unique selling propositions/differentiation, common deal structures. (Presenter, Steve Repetti, Founder, CEO/CTO, RadWebTech)

12:15-1:00  Lunch & networking

1:15- 2:00   Proof of Concept. Introduction to free or practically free resources to test the market and  get traction for your business (can get you to first customers, first revenue and/or make  you more attractive to future investors). These include such things as product proto- typing, creative services, innovative funding, A/B website testing, etc. For ventures already operating, we will also introduce inexpensive or free resources to run & grow your business such as customer support, interns/freelance labor, marketing, payment processing,  communication (virtual telephone systems & free conference calling), publicity, etc (Presenters, Sally Outlaw, CEO peerbackers & Vince Gelormine, CEO of Startup Business Boot Camp)

2:15-3:15   Hurdles – Ideas & Strategies (Q & A with panel). Attendees share their most  pressing challenges and get feedback/input from panel of experienced entrepreneurs & each other. (Yao, Sally, Vince,  Steve Repetti)

 3:30-4:30   Break Out Sessions: These sessions will be highly interactive and much of the content will be based on pressing questions & concerns of those in attendance. They are offered simultaneously, so attendees must pick one of the three in which to participate. 

• Session A:  Digital Marketing/SEO  Vince Gelormine, Startup Bootcamp
  

Super low cost to no cost marketing strategies, search engine optimization, Pay Per Click advertising campaigns.

• Session B: Funding: Sally Outlaw, peerbackers.com
  

This session will explore the creative financing option of crowdfunding (debt, equity and other) and will allow attendees to actually register and post for funding on peerbackers.com – a leading funding platform for entrepreneurs.

• Session C: Legal: Michael Finger, JD
  

Session will cover building & selling of businesses enterprises, technology licensing & intellectual property - and other topics based on attendee’s concerns.

Networking cocktail hour off-site after the workshop at Bogarts. 3200 Airport Rd, Boca Raton. (561-544-3044) www.bogartsofboca.com

Map: http://www.bogartsofboca.com/bogartsmap.html

Additionally, participating entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to post for capital on peerbackers.com – a crowdfunding site – as well as be invited to an upcoming pitch event held at FAU in the fall (run by New York based The Hatchery and peerbackers).

Event will be held in the Office Depot Building on FAU (Boca) campus, Rm 101.  See detailed info below. You can also contact sally@peerbackers.com with any questions.