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How to Build a Startup

Learn what it takes to build a successful startup using the Customer Development process, where entrepreneurs "get out of the building" to gather and iterate on feedback.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Before You Get Started

What We Now Know

Business Models and Customer Development

Value Proposition

Customer Segments

Channels

Customer Relationships

Revenue Model

Partners

Resources, Activities & Costs

Secret Notes for Instructors/Coaches

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Taught by seasoned professionals with experience in venture capital and technology startups

Focuses on the Customer Development process, a proven method for building successful startups

Suitable for aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage startup founders

Covers essential business concepts such as value proposition, revenue models, and customer segmentation

Requires some basic understanding of business and entrepreneurship

Lacks hand-on practice in building or validating a business idea

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Reviews summary

Startup building guide

Reviews for 'How to Build a Startup' are overwhelmingly positive and are full of praise for the course's instructor, Steve Blank, describing him as a legend in Silicon Valley and an inspiring teacher. The course content efficiently introduces key concepts required for building successful startups like customer development, value propositions, and revenue channels. The interactive discussions are also praised for their helpfulness. This course is highly recommended for business students and professionals.

Emphasizes the importance of building a business with customers in mind.

"he gets across the main point of any successful startup: the business needs to be run with customers in mind first."

Helpful and interactive discussions.

"... discussions are very helpful too"

Course covers core concepts of Steve Blank's Lean Launchpad curriculum.

"The course is in 8 parts, and gives an introduction to important things such as Customer Development & Segments, the Value Proposition, Revenue Channels, and many more."

Instructor Steve Blank is a Silicon Valley legend.

"The instructor, Steve Blank, a Silicon Valley legend, is great."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to Build a Startup with these activities:

Startup Ecosystem Networking

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Attend networking events to connect with entrepreneurs, investors, and industry professionals who can support your startup journey.

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Identify relevant networking events in your area
Prepare a concise elevator pitch
Connect with potential mentors, advisors, and investors

The Lean Startup

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Read 'The Lean Startup' to gain insights into the principles and practices of building a successful startup using the lean approach.

View Partire leggeri. Il metodo Lean Startup:... on Amazon

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Read and summarize key concepts from the book
Identify examples of lean principles in your own startup or other successful companies

Review Business Model Canvas

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Review the Business Model Canvas framework to refresh your understanding of key business concepts and prepare for the course.

Browse courses on Business Model Canvas

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Read and understand the Business Model Canvas worksheet
Recall examples of successful business models and map them to the Business Model Canvas

Four other activities

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Customer Interview Exercises

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Conduct mock customer interviews to practice asking open-ended questions, actively listening, and synthesizing feedback.

Browse courses on Customer Development

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Prepare a list of interview questions
Role-play as both the interviewer and interviewee
Record and analyze the interviews, identifying key insights and patterns

Value Proposition Design Workshop

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Explore the Value Proposition Design process through interactive tutorials, helping you define and articulate the value of your startup idea.

Browse courses on Value Proposition

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Watch videos and read articles on Value Proposition Design
Follow a step-by-step guide to develop a value proposition canvas
Present your value proposition to peers for feedback

Customer Development Feedback Group

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Join a peer group to share your customer development insights, receive feedback, and collaborate on solving challenges.

Browse courses on Customer Development

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Find a group of peers with similar interests
Meet regularly to discuss customer research and development strategies
Provide and receive constructive feedback on ideas and approaches

Customer Journey Map Project

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Develop a detailed customer journey map that outlines the key touchpoints, pain points, and opportunities for your startup.

Browse courses on Customer Journey

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Identify your target customer segments
Map out each stage of the customer journey
Analyze the customer experience at each touchpoint
Identify opportunities for improvement and innovation
Create a visual representation of your customer journey map

Career center

Learners who complete How to Build a Startup will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Startup Founder

Startup Founders are individuals who start and run their own businesses. They are responsible for all aspects of their business, from developing products and services to marketing and sales. This course offers instruction on all of the topics that are essential for Startup Founders to understand, including business models, customer relationships, and revenue models. This course can help Startup Founders build a foundation in the fundamentals of building a successful startup.

See salaries and explore the career path for Startup Founder

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs are individuals who start and run their own businesses. They are responsible for all aspects of their business, from developing products and services to marketing and sales. This course offers instruction on all of the topics that are essential for Entrepreneurs to understand, including business models, customer relationships, and revenue models. This course can help Entrepreneurs build a foundation in the fundamentals of building a successful startup.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing business processes and identifying opportunities for improvement. They work closely with other departments to develop and implement solutions that improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability. This course offers instruction on topics like business models, customer relationships, and revenue models, which are all essential for Business Analysts to understand. This course can help Business Analysts build a foundation in the fundamentals of building a successful startup.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for managing the development and launch of new products. They work closely with engineers, designers, and marketing teams to ensure that products meet the needs of customers. This course offers instruction on topics like value proposition, customer segments, and channels, which are all essential for Product Managers to understand. This course can help Product Managers build a foundation in the fundamentals of building a successful startup.

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Consultant

Consultants provide advice and guidance to businesses on a variety of topics, including strategy, operations, and marketing. They work closely with clients to identify problems and develop solutions. This course offers instruction on topics like business models, customer relationships, and revenue models, which are all essential for Consultants to understand. This course can help Consultants build a foundation in the fundamentals of building a successful startup.

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Venture Capitalist

Venture Capitalists invest in early-stage companies with the potential for high growth. They work closely with entrepreneurs to provide funding and support. This course offers instruction on topics like business models, customer relationships, and revenue models, which are all essential for Venture Capitalists to understand. This course can help Venture Capitalists build a foundation in the fundamentals of building a successful startup.

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UX Designer

UX Designers are responsible for designing the user experience of products and services. They work closely with engineers, product managers, and marketing teams to ensure that products are easy to use and enjoyable. This course offers instruction on topics like customer segments, value proposition, and channels, which are all essential for UX Designers to understand. This course can help UX Designers build a foundation in the fundamentals of building a successful startup.

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Product Developer

Product Developers are responsible for developing and launching new products. They work closely with engineers, designers, and marketing teams to ensure that products meet the needs of customers. This course offers instruction on topics like value proposition, customer segments, and channels, which are all essential for Product Developers to understand. This course can help Product Developers build a foundation in the fundamentals of building a successful startup.

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Accelerator Manager

Accelerator Managers oversee the development of early-stage companies. They work closely with entrepreneurs to provide support and resources. This course offers instruction on topics like business models, customer relationships, and revenue models, which are all essential for Accelerator Managers to understand. This course can help Accelerator Managers build a foundation in the fundamentals of building a successful startup.

See salaries and explore the career path for Accelerator Manager

Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for leading and motivating sales teams. They work closely with customers to identify their needs and close deals. This course offers instruction on topics like customer segments, channels, and customer relationships, which are all essential for Sales Managers to understand. This course can help Sales Managers build a foundation in the fundamentals of building a successful startup.

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Angel Investor

Angel Investors invest in early-stage companies with the potential for high growth. They work closely with entrepreneurs to provide funding and support. This course offers instruction on topics like business models, customer relationships, and revenue models, which are all essential for Angel Investors to understand. This course can help Angel Investors build a foundation in the fundamentals of building a successful startup.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns that promote products and services. They work closely with other departments to create marketing materials, manage social media, and track campaign performance. This course offers instruction on topics like customer segments, channels, and customer relationships, which are all essential for Marketing Managers to understand. This course can help Marketing Managers build a foundation in the fundamentals of building a successful startup.

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Incubator Manager

Incubator Managers oversee the development of new businesses. They work closely with entrepreneurs to provide support and resources. This course offers instruction on topics like business models, customer relationships, and revenue models, which are all essential for Incubator Managers to understand. This course can help Incubator Managers build a foundation in the fundamentals of building a successful startup.

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Chief Technology Officer

Chief Technology Officers are responsible for overseeing the technological needs of a company. They work closely with other executives to plan and implement technology strategies that align with the company's overall business goals. Given that the course offers instruction on topics like business models, customer relationships, and revenue models, this course may be useful to CTOs who want to pick up the fundamentals of running a successful business.

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Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officers are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a company. They work closely with other executives to develop and implement strategies that improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability. The course offers instruction on topics like business models, customer relationships, and revenue models. Given that these topics are essential for COOs to understand, this course may be useful for COOs who want to pick up the fundamentals of running a successful business.

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Reading list

We've selected 19 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How to Build a Startup.

The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management

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"The Lean Startup" provides a comprehensive framework for building and iterating on your startup idea using the principles of customer development.

How to Build a Startup

Two deals to help you save

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Startup building guide

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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