Course Description

The 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.

Co-Authors

Jonathon Perrelli, Maxim Wheatley and Katie Gage

This course is designed by Jonathon Perrelli, Maxim Wheatley, and Katie Gage and includes interviews and insights from 30+ additional entrepreneurs, investors and industry leaders.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction

  • 2

    Startupland: The Documentary Series

    • Introduction to the Startupland Documentary Series

    • Episode 1

      FREE PREVIEW

    • Episode 2

    • Episode 3

    • Episode 4

    • Episode 5

    • Episode 6
  • 3

    Lesson 1: What is Entrepreneurship?

  • 4

    Lesson 2: Setting the Stage

    • 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
  • 5

    Lesson 3: What Resources Exist?

    • 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
  • 6

    Lesson 4: Starting Up

  • 7

    Lesson 5: Leadership as a Founder

    • 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
  • 8

    Lesson 6: Leadership & Building a Team

    • 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
  • 9

    Lesson 7: Relationships and Ecosystems

    • 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
  • 10

    Lesson 8: Building and Designing the Product

    • 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
  • 11

    Lesson 9: Brand, Marketing and Growing the Business

    • 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
  • 12

    Lesson 10: Running Your Business

    • 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
  • 13

    Lesson 11: Fundraising

    • 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
  • 14

    Lesson 12: Exit, Failure, or Moving On

    • 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
  • 15

    Wrapping Up

    • Closing Comments from Jonathon Perrelli

    • Course Evaluation and Feedback

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