Have a Great Business Idea, But Don’t Know Where to Start? Test Flight Bootcamp May Be Your Answer
James Roddey
James Roddey
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James Roddey
Jan 22, 2018, 10:36 AM
The Center for Entrepreneurship’s Test Flight Bootcamp is led by accomplished entrepreneurs who offer support, inspiration and ongoing mentoring to fledgling businesses. Attendees will develop go-to-market strategies and discuss sources of funding during these informational meetings, with the goal of launching their new business.
The Center for Entrepreneurship at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach will kick off its second Test Flight Bootcamp on Jan. 26. This four-session, intensive workshop is designed to train new and growing companies how to prepare a successful business model, learn the customer discovery process and work on value proposition development.
“By participating in Test Flight Bootcamp, in a few short weeks you and your team will know if your venture has the potential to keep going,” said Dr. Michael Bowers, a professor of entrepreneurship and director of the Center for Entrepreneurship in the College of Business at Embry-Riddle. “You will be able to make a ‘go/no go’ decision as to whether your venture is worth more time and investment.”
During each session, participants will learn how to build a business model based on customer knowledge and how to develop go-to-market strategies and discuss sources of funding. The bootcamp is led by skilled entrepreneurs who offer support, ideas and mentoring.
Past participants like Weintraus CEO Scott Weintraub have gone on to launch successful businesses.
“It forced us to get in front of customers and test our business model,” Weintraub said. “Coupled with the support from experienced entrepreneurs leading the bootcamp, we were able to pivot our business model and lay the foundation for the success Weintraus has seen to date.” Weinstraus offers precision orbital placement services for small spacecraft owner/operators using a reusable payload delivery system.
“Last year, several of the graduates from Test Flight Bootcamp moved forward with their ventures, raising investment funds and being accepted in local business incubators,” said Bowers. “Test Flight Bootcamp is creating a pathway to the successful launch of local technology companies.”
The cost to participate in the Testflight Bootcamp is $99 per team or company, and includes all materials and lunch on January 26. Sessions will take place Jan. 26, Feb. 2, 9 and 16 at Embry-Riddle’s John Mica Engineering & Aerospace Innovation Complex (MicaPlex) in Daytona Beach. For additional information or to apply, visit www.testflightbootcamp.com.
ABOUT THE EMBRY-RIDDLE CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Established in 2015, the Embry-Riddle Center for Entrepreneurship in the College of Business on the Daytona Beach Campus educates and connects entrepreneurs seeking to establish and grow high value, high growth companies. We bring together technical and practical knowledge in aeronautics, aerospace, engineering and computer science with proven business acumen to build world-class companies.
Embry-Riddle students are served through educational programming, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and business leadership and talent flows from our graduates and alumni to start-up and growth companies. The Center also provides research opportunities to faculty in translating their technological innovations and in the academic investigation of entrepreneurial activities.
ABOUT THE JOHN MICA ENGINEERING AND AEROSPACE INNOVATION COMPLEX (MICAPLEX)
Known as the MicaPlex, this cornerstone building of the Research Park at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will house collaborative workspaces, a wide range of laboratories and business support services collocated to ensure that technology-focused startups have every advantage for success.
The first building phase also includes a large wind tunnel and test facility with cutting-edge instrumentation. Named for U.S. Representative John Mica (R-Florida) in honor of his key role in supporting the university’s educational and research endeavors, it is strategically located in Central Florida’s “Convergence Zone” of innovation and discovery. This collaborative atmosphere is designed for incubating new technologies across 10,000 square feet of flex lease space to meet tenants’ needs, and is scheduled to be completed in spring 2017. For more information, go to erau.edu/micaplex. For information about partnership opportunities, call (386) 226-4928 or email micaplex@erau.edu.