December update from the StartupBarn
Applications are open to students, a bunch of community things to participate in, excited about the future!
Over the last few months, we have been building a founder-focused organization that will balance community tools with founder education while being aligned with founder success. We are a work in progress and ready to get moving on some things. Thanks, in large part, to support from Communitech.
Our focus is on Waterloo, its students, alumni, and the people who have made the community a place where a very high number of global tech leaders have a connection.
This is a quick update on some of the things we are working on and will be sharing a lot more in the coming weeks and months.
Student program: Applications are open
Developed with students and alumni stories in mind, we have built an 8-week program that cuts through the noise and helps founders focus on what is important. This free program is custom-designed for Waterloo students and will be offered primarily online with some in-person options.
If you are a current student on academic or work term and want help to focus on building your idea into a startup, apply here.
Participants in the course will have an advantage when it comes to applying and getting the most out of the Waterloo Alumni event (details below).
Waterloo Alumni event for student founders
On Tuesday, February 13th we are hosting a series of meetings with highly successful Waterloo alumni that are going to be available to student founders to learn about their ideas and ambition. It’s not a pitch contest.
This is a unique opportunity to be in the room with Waterloo alumni who have been where you are today and are willing to help you find success.
Spots are limited to 15 companies. Students who are attending the program will be automatically considered for one of those 15 spots and we will be opening applications in early January along with sharing who will be in the room.
The Waterloo Alumni currently confirmed are Steven Woods (iNovia, formally Google), Elden Sprickerhoff (eSentire), Irfan Ahmad (formally DCVC), Mike Janzen (Angel investor), and a few others.
Look for more details on this substack in early January 2024.
If you want to get to the front of the application line… apply for the course.
StartupBarn space at Communitech
In collaboration with Communitech, we have been able to offer space to students who are starting on their startup journey so that they can be plugged into the community in and around Communitech. Currently, our space is limited and priority is given to students who are registered for the program.
We plan to open this up to a larger group of students in early 2024.
Monday club
When you are building something, feedback from your peers can have a profound impact on both your confidence and your path to success. Starting in January 2024, we are starting a Monday club that will give builders a chance to connect with peers, get feedback, and make strong community connections.
We are going to form a ‘club’ with a substack for updates! Membership is free. Expectations are that you participate as best you can and open this community up to others who you think will benefit from it.Â
For now, please share this sign-up form with people you think would like this:Â https://forms.gle/DzahZS1ffvHhfgWB6
Each Monday starting January, a reminder will go out and you will need to register with the Communitech system if you are going to show up.
The agenda will be a mix of demo lunch + office hours (with a guest).
We will have ‘core hours’ in that 11 am - 3 pm is the ideal time to be there but you can be there 9-5 if you want.
A weekly update will go out on the substack.
Workshop series at Communitech for all founders
Join me in partnership with @Communitech for an 8-week workshop, From Concept to Company: A Startup Workshop Series that will help you understand what a startup is, how to test your idea in the early days and much more.Â
Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
Register for our morning sessions:
https://www.showpass.com/from-concept-to-company-a-startup-workshop-series/
Register for our afternoon sessions:
https://www.showpass.com/from-concept-to-company-a-startup-workshop-series-afternoon/
Note: students should register for the student-specific version above, we start earlier and it will get you better prepared for the alumni event.
Where did StartupBarn come from?
Finally, what is this StartupBarn and where did it come from? Inspired by the leadership of Hon. David Johnston, it made sense to raise a barn for the early-stage community to connect with and help build themselves. This barn is focused on builders who are on the path to being entrepreneurs and it’s not limited to just those with venture path dreams.
However, we want to educate and support builders so that if they choose the venture path they will have an increased chance of finding success.
We are exploring ways to ensure that this organization remains aligned with the founder's success. If you are interested in sponsoring and supporting our community efforts, email jesse@murphyrodgers.ca.