ACTiVATE Training Curriculum
Phase I: Market Assessment (15 weeks - February - June 2008)
Module One: Preparation for ACTiVATE - Orientation
Role Models - Successful Women Entrepreneurs
Team Building
Module Two: Learning the Technologies and their Applications
Introduction to Technology Transfer
Fundamentals of Intellectual Property
How to select a team and technology
How to read a patent
Working with Inventors and Advisors
Identifying applications and uses
Assessment: Initial profile of applications and uses
Module Three: Finding your market
Understand market research and technology
Validating need
Primary research: Who cares, problem definition
Secondary research: Market profile
Competition - external/internal
Market environment/regulation
Determining price/value/willingness to pay
Assessment: Initial market requirement and product scenarios
Module Four: Pathway to Commercialization
Go to market options
Sales forecasting and pricing
Product Lifecycle Development
Assessment: Draft feasibility plan
Module Five: Presenting the Market Assessment
Presentation styles and coaching
Presentations and Feedback
Phase II: The Business Plan (15 weeks - September -
December 2008)
Securing a license
Building a shadow board
Refining the marketing plan
Financing the company - startup through growth and beyond
Business formation basics
Negotiating financing/licenses
The Investor Presentation
Visioning your future
Final presentation of business plans
