Customer Discovery and Lean Launchpad inspired programs – can they help you?

The NSF has just migrated their program to include their I-corps™ program for all Phase I awardees.  Why?  And can a similar program help you?

I’ve now led two cohorts of our VentureWrench Launch!™ live coaching program.  All of those teams came out the other side with a deep understanding of their customers, partners and markets.  Each team developed a strong beachhead and they know how to enter their markets.

SBIR and STTR program directors and TPOCs must show that the companies which receive funding are not just “SBIR mills” – living off of SBIR.  Instead they have to show recipients actually have a plan to get into the market and build a business.

At the same time, angels and venture investors want to know entrepreneurs have really talked with and deeply understand their markets.  The Business Model Canvas is a way to capture the product-market fit of your company and that you have a plan to get to success.  This is as effective for investors as it is for SBIR/STTR.

VentureWrench Launch!™ for SBIR/STTR applicants and awardees is based on the well known Lean Launchpad curriculum pioneered by Steve Blank and his colleagues at Stanford University.

What can you expect from a strong Lean Launchpad inspired program?
  1. Learning how customer discovery differs from marketing and sale, and learning HOW to conduct customer discovery interviews effectively
  2. Working through course content that includes all of the key elements of a Business Model Canvas
  3. Completing 75-100 customer and partner interviews yields deep understanding of your market, customers and partners.
  4. Successful completion of a valid Business Model Canvas and Deep insights into customer needs and how best to deliver their innovation successfully to market – This is critical for a strong commercialization plan for both Phase I and Phase II and Investors!
  5. One on One coaching to help you overcome challenges and apply what you are learning from customers and partners.

If you haven’t gone through our SBIR course, Develop a Winning SBIR Strategy – Insights From The Review Process, I invite you to do so.  Remember that my perspective as a reviewer of many, many proposals gives you an advantage as you prepare your Phase I and/or your Phase II proposal.

If you want more in depth help, either a proposal review or help developing your proposal, you can apply for a spot in our one-on-one VentureWrench SBIR Coaching after you’ve gone through the course.

If you are interested in participating in an upcoming VentureWrench Launch! cohort, email us at venturewrenchcommunity [at] gmail.com with questions.

And if you need help with any part of your SBIR process – proposal (Phase I or II), TABA, proposal management, or contract finalization, just email us at venturewrenchcommunity [at] gmail.com!

Don’t forget, if you need more help, check out our online course, Develop a Winning SBIR Strategy, and don’t forget your free guide below!


Interested in creating an SBIR proposal?
Click to Get our free guide “40 Ways to Improve your SBIR/STTR proposal!

Nicole Toomey Davis Awards Interviews

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