Startup 101: Your First Step Towards Entrepreneurship

The foundational frameworks, methodology, and vocabulary that the earliest stages of a startup are built on:

• The startup lifecycle — Formation, Validation, Growth — and how a tech startup differs from a small business
• How to shift from an "idea-first" to a "problem-first" mindset
• The mechanics of an effective elevator pitch
• Why customer discovery matters and how it shapes better early decisions
• What an MVP actually is (and isn't)
• The basics of the funding landscape — bootstrapping, dilutive, and non-dilutive capital
• How to navigate Calgary's startup ecosystem and where to find support

 An interactive working session, not a lecture — you apply each concept live with peers:

• Draft and practice your own elevator pitch using a structured framework
• Work through a Problem Statement tool to strip out solution jargon and isolate a real customer pain point
• Pressure-test your idea or area of interest against a problem-first lens
• Collaborate with fellow participants and facilitators throughout

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