Startup Bootcamp Program

At Akcela, startup companies are in our DNA. We run the Akcela incubator programme in the centre of Norwich City, as well as working with a number of startup businesses through startup consultancy. The concept of a startup bootcamp is one that through discussions within the team, is extremely interesting.

Combining the key elements that all businesses need into a short, highly focused, outcome driven syllabus, a startup bootcamp is an effective way to get a business off the ground. Whilst writing a business plan is still considered to be a cornerstone activity within most startups. Writing one straigth away might not be best practice. In fact, the considered sweet spot for writing a business plan around 6 – 12 months after the venture was considered. With a 27% higher chance of success of business viability if the business is engaging in marketing and talking with their customer when they decide to write one.

So what should a startup bootcamp program include?

We have given this a good level of consideration when discussing the key elements of starting a business and begining to engage with potential customers. As a team, the common themes have been agreed and put into our startup bootcamp program.

Your USP or Why, How, What.

What makes your business different? How can you articualte this to your customer base in an effective way? Simon Sinek has been often lauded and rightly so for his Start with Why approach to articulating a businesses USP. This is always the best place to start.

Team Structure and Company Setup.

Who is in the team, what are their roles, what is the legal structure of the company, what does that mean from a compliance point of view. All things that any new business should consider before starting out.

Customer Segmentation.

Who are your customers, what do they want, where do they “hang out”, what would sell to them. All fundamentals to your business.

Branding.

So much more than a logo. How does your brand portray itself. Speak to its customers. Make them feel. Make them interact with the business.

Marketing Plan.

Bringing together the customer segments and the brand to put together a program of a marketing plan. This forms the begining of your action plans.

Financials and Financial Plan.

Everyone’s favourite part of starting a company (of course). The finances. It sounds horrible, but we make it nice and easy and when you know what you are doing, it isn’t so scary in the end.

Action plan and next steps

The action plan brings togeher all of the learnings together into something you can act upon.