Unsure of what to do next with your business idea?

CO.STARTERS is a program designed to provide entrepreneurs with the insights, relationships, and tools needed to turn your idea into action and your passion into a sustainable and thriving business.

Thanks to a generous contribution from Amplify Louisville and Citation Labs, we are able to offer 10 full scholarships* to the Fall 2020 Cohort.

This is an amazing opportunity for Louisville entrepreneurs looking to launch a business in the near future but also for current business owners seeking fresh perspective or re-evaluating their business model.

Villepreneurs is proud to be part of the CO.STARTERS® network. Learn more at costarters.co.

Sessions

What’s covered…

During the CO.STARTERS Core program, participants develop and fine-tune their ideas, critically examining every part and determining next steps through real-time feedback from people in the community. Over a series of sessions, we’ll cover the following topics.

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Collaborative Cohort

Groups of 10–16 entrepreneurs meet together for nine weeks, meeting virtually via Zoom one evening a week for 2.5 hours, led by a CO.STARTERS-trained facilitator.

Facilitated, Not Taught

CO.STARTERS facilitators are experienced business owners from the community who guide participants through the program by asking the right questions, drawing on the knowledge in the room, and using available resources and connections in the community to point starters in the right direction.

Local Context

In addition to exploring different topics each session, guest speakers are also brought in weekly to enrich the conversation and help participants learn from the experience of others in the community.

What will you learn?

A deeper understanding of how to create a sustainable business.
Learn a proven process for figuring out whether or not an idea is good and how to change it to make it work.
Clearly articulate how your business serves your customers
Identify the next steps to move your business forward.
A community of peers, mentors, business services, and a national network of support.

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said CO.STARTERS helped them decide what to do next with their venture

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would recommend CO.STARTERS to someone looking to start or grow a venture

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said they feel connected & supported by their local community in launching a venture

FAQs

What can I expect from CO.STARTERS?

CO.STARTERS is an action-driven, collaborative process with a small and supportive group of like-minded people. Led by a facilitator who is an experienced entrepreneur, you’ll identify your assumptions about why and how your businesses will work and then talk to customers in order to validate your ideas. This approach enables you to rapidly uncover flaws in your concept and find viable models more quickly. You’ll leave the program with a deeper understanding of how to create a sustainable business, articulate your model, and repeat the process with your next great idea

Is CO.STARTERS right for me?

If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, or a seasoned entrepreneur looking to launch a new product or service, CO.STARTERS is for you. The only real prerequisites are (1) having an idea you’re ready, willing, and excited to share and pursue and (2) a willingness to study, shape and fine-tune that idea in a supportive, collaborative, and welcoming environment. If you’re creative and community-minded, and you’re serious about turning your passion into a sustainable business, we want you to participate.

How many hours per week will I need to commit to this program?

Each session meets once a week for 2.5 hours. Each participant will be challenged to talk to customers—or potential customers—each week, as it is a critical element of building a business.

What happens if I miss a session?

We understand that life happens and things can come up over the course of the program. If you miss a session, you can schedule a time to make it up at a later date.

How much does the program cost?

The Fall 2020 CO.STARTERS Cohort is only $25 per participant thanks to a generous sponsorship by Amplify Louisville and Citation Labs. Typically, the program currently costs a flat fee of $550 for each participant representing a business. The cost for a business partner to join the initial participant is $150. Fees for the program go towards paying the facilitator, class materials, and a copy of the CO.STARTERS binder that will be yours to keep.

Thanks to a generous donation by Amplify Louisville and Citation Labs, we are able to offer 10 full scholarships to this cohort! and

Starting January 6, 2021

9 Weeks
Wednesdays 6 – 9 PM

~~$550~~ $300
10 full scholarships available*

Applications close December 31, 2020

* Recipients of scholarship must pay $25 program fee.