The Startupland Experience - Virginia Tech iScholars
The Startupland Documentary and Course features 30+ entrepreneurs, investors and industry experts who give a realistic look at what it takes to be a startup founder.
iScholars is a summer internship program in the National Capital region that engages students in innovative and entrepreneurial work. The spring iScholars onboarding course will prepare students for the experience using the Startupland curriculum, team-based activities and guest experts.
Having successfully completed this course, students will be able to:
1) define and model characteristics and practices of a successful innovator and entrepreneur
2) apply the skills of a motivated and professional intern
3) articulate personal and professional goals for the iScholars summer experience
4) function well as a learning cohort primed to support each other through the summer
5) make Virginia Tech proud as iScholars working for our corporate partners in the NCR or elsewhere
The Startupland Experience Mission:
Startupland is truly an accelerator experience on the screen, and we know that there are many entrepreneurs beginning their journeys right at this moment. We have produced the Startupland documentary series and designed this course to be paired with it. We are driven by the idea of helping others along this journey, while inspiring others to begin.
We set out to educate and empower the innovators and entrepreneurs and reach the world-changers out there to help them succeed and thrive. The primary goal of the Startupland course is to help participants explore content in order to develop a strategy for becoming a startup entrepreneur.
The course is designed with the assumption that its learners are or have the ability to be goal oriented, internally motivated, appreciate respect, and can reflect on their own life experiences or relate to the experience of others to expand their knowledge of startup entrepreneurship.
Lisa D. McNair and Aaron Burdette
Welcome to Startupland
Startupland, A Documentary Series
What is your definition of a startup?
Jonathon Perelli: Startupland is a Compass
A Word to the Reader
About this Course & FAQs
Supplemental Resources
Introduction to the Startupland Documentary Series
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Lesson 1 Objectives
Jonathon Perrelli: What is entrepreneurship?
Amy Millman: On The E Gene
Why You Do It
Founding Yourself: Becoming a Startup CEO
Taking the Plunge into Entrepreneurship
Casey Pugh answers the question, "What is it like being an entrepreneur?"
Steve Case: When I Became an Entrepreneur
The Most Important Question
Lesson 2 Objectives
Jamis MacNiven: Stanford and the Valley
The History of Silicon Valley
Jonathon Perrelli: Silicon Valley and Startup Ecosystems
Why Tech Companies Lead the Charge
Tien Wong: The Rise of Global Startupland
A Quick Guide to Startup Buzzwords & Terminology
Lesson 2 Knowledge Check
Lesson 3 Objectives
Startup Resources and Programs
Jonathon Perrelli: Leaving the Kitchen Table
Startup Weekend and the Benefits of Hackathons
James Quigley: Collisions Foster Faster Growth
Accelerators: What to Know
Mike Bott: Choosing an Accelerator
Lesson 3 Knowledge Check
Lesson 4 Objectives
Capital for your Business
Tim O'Shaughnessy: Don't Raise Before You Are Ready
Bootstrapping
Esther Dyson: Customer Funding
The Value of Customers
Jonathon Perrelli: Being Resourceful
Lesson 4 Knowledge Check
Lesson 5 Objectives
Steve Case: All You Need to Get Started
What it Takes to be a Leader
Allie Armitage: Critical Qualities in Leadership
Strategic Vision and Planning
Steve Case: The Vision of AOL
Coping with Negativity
The Need for Focus
Jonathon Perrelli: The Need for Focus
Allie Armitage: The Importance of Self Care
Allie Armitage: Do Nothing for Two Minutes
Lesson 5 Knowledge Check
Lesson 6 Objectives
Co-Founding Vs. Going Alone
The Founding Team
Tim O'Shaughnessy: Co-Founder vs. Employee
Building the Initial Team
Interview Methods
Jonathon Perrelli: Interview Style
The importance of Mentorship
Michael Chasen: One Mentor Isn't Enough
Kathy Penny: The Importance of Culture
Tim O'Shaughnessy: Creating a Culture
Allie Armitage: Leading with Values
Lesson 6 Knowledge Check
Lesson 7 Objectives
Be a Relationship Builder
Carolyn Micheli: Events, Ecosystems, and Giving Back
Networking for Founders
Industry Participation
Tim Schigel: Follow Up With People Who Help You
Jonathon Perrelli: First Customers are Important
Lesson 7 Knowledge Check
Lesson 8 Objectives
Rob Lawson-Shanks: Defining your Audience
Optimizing for the Platform
Avoiding Feature Creep
Rob Lawson-Shanks: "Overengineering"
Buy vs. Build
Casey Pugh: Fake It 'til You Make It and Prioritizing
What is the User Experience?
Rob Lawson-Shanks: Design Test Loop
The User vs. The Product
Your Personal Experience
Lesson 8 Knowledge Check
Lesson 9 Objectives
What is a Brand?
Jonathon Perrelli: Naming the Product
Telling Your Story
Jonathon Perrelli: Trademark and Domain
Maxim Wheatley: Ineffective Branding
Paul Singh: How Growth Differs for a Tech Company
Growth Hacking
Tim O'Shaughnessy: Explosive Growth
Jonathon Perrelli: How to Utilize Strategic Partners
Lesson 9 Knowledge Check
Lesson 10 Objectives
Esther Dyson: It's Not Fun
Tactical Execution
Jonathon Perrelli: Culture of Accountability
Project Management for Startups
Jonathon Perrelli: Turning Over Responsibilities
Delegation as a Founder
Lesson 10 Knowledge Check
Lesson 11 Objectives
Angel Investors
Esther Dyson: What is an Angel Investor?
Intro to Venture Capital
The Penguin Effect: Getting a Lead Investor
Perfecting the Pitch
60 Second Elevator Pitch
Lesson 11 Knowledge Check
Lesson 12 Objectives
Mike Ward: What Makes Your Company Attractive to a Buyer
Knowing When to Quit
Tim O'Shaughnessy: Failing and Moving On
Steve Case: The Challenge Makes You Stronger
Closing Comments from Jonathon Perrelli
Course Evaluation and Feedback