Business Model Canvas (BMC)

BMC utilization to analyse a business model. Complementary analysis tools (competition analysis, SWOT analysis). Fundamental BMC concepts through examples and workshop on the business model of each team, followed by team presentations.

Financial monitoring and analysis tools

Utilization of tools to analyse and monitor the financial performance of a business. Fundamental concept of Profit & Loss statements, as well as Cash Flow Analysis, along with practice tests, presentations, and discussion.

How to pitch your startup

Best practices on the effective presentation of a business idea in a short period of time. Characteristics and components of three different types of pitching: High Concept Pitch, One-Sentence Pitch, Elev.

Pitching workshop

Examples for further understanding of the components of a full pitch deck. Live pitch from the oldest team that has participated in the OK! Thess program. Practice on the development of a comprehensive presentation of the business idea of each team (full pitch deck). 5 minute pitch of each team and discussion.

What are investors looking for?

Part A: Introduction to the mathematics of Venture Capital funds. Economic result a VC fund aims at, the timeline, the criteria based on which VC funds are evaluated by third parties and compete for funds.

Part B: Why I wouldn’t invest in you. The investment model of a Greek early-stage VC fund (with a guest fund manager from an Equifund VC fund). Presentations of participants (5′ pitch + 5′ O&A) as well as feedback from investors on the weak points of the project.

Assumption validation (Part 1)

Customer development based on the lean start-up methodology. Practice on the recognition and documentation of fundamental assumptions of the business model. Assumption validation methodology and execution of interviews with customers and users.

Assumption validation (Part 2)

Part A: Recognition and prioritization of assumptions (Assumptions definition based on BMC of each team, assumption prioritization based on two criteria: (a) Uncertainty, (b) Impact, Presentation and discussion).

Part B: Experiment Design (Fundamental concepts, tips, do’s and do not’s, Experiment Design for high uncertainty and high impact assumptions, Presentation and discussion)

Branding step by step

Part A: Brands & Branding: concepts, feasibility, and fundamental strategies. Name, logo, style, architecture, corporate vs consumer brand, positioning. Strategy, tagline, icons, structure. Practice with questionnaire and analysis on branding capabilities for each team’s case.

Part B: Branding Workshop: Practice with questionnaire and analysis on branding capabilities for each team’s case.

Product development

Introduction to modern methods for product development / Agile methodology (Scrum Framework. Kanban Framework. Scrum vs Kanban). Practical advisory on tool utilization for collaboration between team members and monitoring of the product development cycle (Trello for product Development). Workshop based on each team’s case (Assign Role and Responsibilities, Build your first backlog and assign tasks).

Product/Market Fit

Part A: Introduction to Product/Market Fit. Fundamental concepts. Which are the critical factors that determine PMF?

Part B: Anatomy of an unsuccessful Product/Market Fit. “Go to market” dangers when there is no sufficiently large market.

Part C: Tools for the better understanding of market needs’ maturity stage (Crossing the chasm, Jobs-to-be-Done framework).

Digital marketing

Introduction to fundamental concepts of digital marketing (Defining success, Defining keywords, Setting core metrics, Estimating a conversion rate, Setting a budget). Content creation (Creating a topic list, Knowing what content to publish, Guest blogging, Capturing emails). Social media promotion strategy (choosing social media networks, Defining the best times to post, Using a keyword list, Creating & using an influencers list). Test & Iterate (Measuring against benchmarks, Brainstroming creative new ideas).

Direct sales

Advanced practice on social media business promotion, through case studies of real companies. Analysis through Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Workshop and discussion on each teams’ distinct characteristics and practical feedback on how social media can serve their strategy.

Negotiating agreements

Part A: Negotiations within a team. Role play on negotiations within a team. Discussion on results/feedback. Presentation: Negotiations within a team: Distributive and complete negotiation. Traps in starting a business.

Part B: Negotiations with third parties (investors, clients etc). Role play on negotiations with third-parties. Discussion on results/feedback. BATNA and ZOPA. Achieving goals and avoiding dangers. Q&A

Incorporating a business

Introduction to what we need to think about and know before we start our business venture. What type of company fits our needs and plan? Based on which criteria do we choose the best corporate form? What are the processes to found and operate a company according to each corporate form? Taxation and appropriate planning. Business incorporation and operation in Greece, along with business activity abroad.