Summer School: Starting Your Own Business

June 23

08:30:00 - 00:00:00

Event summary

Do you want to know what it takes to be an entrepreneur? Or do you have an innovative business idea, but don’t know how to take it forward? Join us for this one week program, in which you will work together with other entrepreneurs on improving your business or business concept. We will give you a proven methodology for assessing and shaping your venture as well as plenty of time to discuss your idea with your peers, investors and experienced entrepreneurs.

This Summer School course is an intensive, hands-on program for aspiring entrepreneurs ready to launch their (tech) business. Participants bring their ideas and apply the lessons directly to their projects.

Key topics include understanding the realities of entrepreneurship, identifying personal strengths and weaknesses, and learning how to build and sustain effective teams. The program helps participants identify and segment their customer base, understand customer needs, and align their products or services with real-world problems.

Participants gain expertise in the lean startup method, learning how to create Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), validate ideas, pilot solutions, and pivot when necessary. Additional focus areas include creating products customers love, competitive analysis, protecting intellectual property, and scaling production.

Business strategies are covered in-depth, including crafting a Business Model Canvas, assessing market opportunities, defining USPs, and building a go-to-market strategy. Participants also learn to gain visibility through marketing and social media, deliver compelling pitches, and secure funding through seed investments or crowdfunding.

The program features one-on-one mentoring, a pitch competition, and the development of a professional pitch deck. Graduates leave with practical tools, actionable insights, and a Mercator Launch startup certificate to help drive their business forward.