Preflight Pre-Accelerator Program
Preflight is a part-time, 6 week intensive pre-accelerator program that helps "pre-startups" take those first early steps to become fully-fledged startups. Perhaps you've already started building something at a hackathon? Maybe you've been working on a concept late nights and weekends? Maybe you're looking for a co-founder to round out your team?
Preflight is run by Flightpath Ventures, Startup Edmonton and the A100, a network of experienced entrepreneurs and investors dedicated to mentoring and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs and startups. The program is also supported by Alberta Enterprise Corporation.
How the program works:
The program is a mix of lectures, presentations and work sessions. You'll also get access to co-working space at Startup Edmonton. Each week, you'll be immersed in activities including:
- Lectures and case studies
- Weekly pitches (refine how you talk about your product)
- Work sessions
- Guest speakers and mentors
- Weekly assignments and tasks
- Final presentation (what you discovered, where you're headed)
Preflight helps you build what you'll need as you make a commitment towards becoming a full-time startup:
- Week 1 - In the first week, we'll explore problems and opportunities worth solving in a particular industry, market and/or organization.
- Week 2 - We'll work to find your concept and land on a business model that you can start validating with customers/partners.
- Week 3 - We focus on product design and prototyping, and steps and strategies you can take to get that first version released.
- Week 4 - The fourth week focuses on customer development. We'll figure out ways to engage the early users and adopters you need to test your product and business model.
- Week 5 - We'll continue working on your prototype and pitch, in preparation for the following week's final presentations.
- Week 6 - With an initial prototype and early customer validation, the final week focuses on a final presentation and helping to provide insight on financing strategies and next steps.
What you'll learn and discover:
Ultimately, our goal with Preflight is to help you make that first real commitment to building a startup. With a real prototype built, a business model, actual customer feedback, and a team in hand, you're ready to go. Maybe you'll apply to our seed stage accelerator Flightpath (here in the city) or another program somewhere in the world. In either case, your journey to a full-time startup life begins here.
Who we're looking for:
We're primarily seeking internet, mobile, and software-based startups and pre-startups who are developing a product/startup idea across a range of industries.
Program fees:
The program fee for Preflight is $599 plus taxes. This includes workspace at Startup Edmonton and other program materials. Participants are responsible for providing their own laptop with wi-fi for notes and work sessions. We would also recommend bringing a paper notebook for brainstorming, diagrams, and wire framing.
Time commitment:
All teams are expected to be working on their startup and product prototypes, and work on customer development (i.e. talking to customers, partners, and channel partners) over the term of Preflight. Outcomes will be different for each team depending on the product being development, however, we expect that you will make the commitment outside of sessions to work on your startup and product, so you can take the next major step when the program is complete.
Location and workspace:
All sessions are held at Startup Edmonton at the Mercer Warehouse (10359-104 Street). As part of your registration, you'll also get access to our co-workspace. You can use that time to continue to work on your project and meet with mentors and other founders.
Winter Session
March 19 to April 30, 2013
Part-time, 6 weeks
Time: Part-time, Tuesday evenings (5:30 pm to 7:30 pm), Wednesday evening work sessions
Cost: $599 plus taxes; $399 for members
What people are saying
"Preflight was pivotal in taking me from business planning to creating my company. It was extremely helpful to have the peer support from my fellow participants and coaching from experienced entrepreneurs throughout the program."
- Justine Barber, Co-Founder, Poppy Barley
Faculty
Program Leads:
Cam Linke
Partner
Flightpath Ventures
Ken Bautista
Partner
Flightpath Ventures
Mentors:
Kevin Swan
Principal
iNovia Capital
Ric Williams
Chief Operating Officer
Empire Avenue
