Innovate My Business

 

program description

Innovate My Business (IMB) is a 7-week, 45-hour class for entrepreneurs in year 1 to 3 of business operation that are interested in product development. The class helps small business owners understand key principles of developing their own product. Learn how to think clearly and objectively about problems and develop solutions that work best for your product launch. Classes include Entrepreneurial Design Thinking, Intellectual Property Law, creating a Marketing plan, Social Media, Financial review, Access to Capital, and developing your own Pitch Deck. Participate in highly effective, hands-on Labs that will equip you with the knowledge, tools and resources needed to develop a salable product.

The course will culminate in a showcase for graduation at a Pitch Competition at YWCA O`ahu. There will be a prize package for the winning pitch. The Pitch will be an open application to entrepreneurs, and the product or service must have a measurable impact on the lives of women and families with the potential for commercialization and fill a need in the market place.

program topics

  • Entrepreneurial (Design) Thinking

  • Product Development

  • Law/IP

  • Marketing Plan/ Social Media

  • Financial Review and How to Get Funding

  • Pitch Deck

  • Pitch Competition

    Saturday Product Development Labs

key dates

Innovate My Business is offered once a year:

Class will run from February 13 - March 27 and meet every Wednesday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. You will also meet for Product Development Open Labs on 3 Saturdays from 9:00a-5:00p - Feb. 23, March 16 and 30.

  • Spring 2019: February 13-March 27

  • Pitch June 13th, 2019                    

    benefits

Information that can be used to launch a new business, increase sales, improve management skills, write a business plan, apply for financing, launch a product.

  • Folder or binder containing participant’s notes, handouts, worksheets, and PowerPoint presentations

  • Certificate of Completion

  • Subject Matter Experts providing insight on topics requiring deeper exploration of financial, legal or technical issues

  • One free crowd funding assessment & one on one review

  • One free follow-up counseling session

  • Opportunity to participate in pitch competition

  • Eligibility to participate in Alumni program:

    • 12 months of membership benefits

    • Business plan review

    • Eligible for business success story feature

    • Discounts for training labs, counseling, and workshops

    • Discount for Mink Wahine luncheons

    • Networking events

  • #SHOPSMALLHAWAII Mink Business Alliance Spotlight

  • Opportunity to be featured/interviewed on livesteam talkshow

  • Complimentary ticket to Hawaii Business: Biz Academy events

  • Retail Pop-up Opportunities

  • Discounted ticket to accelerator Showcase

cost

Innovate My Business – $1600 per person

Scholarships and payment plans may be available to those who apply and qualify.

application

Apply here: Innovate My Business- Product Development

for more information, please email mcbl@ywcaoahu.org.

Subscription

Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. All MCBL events and services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis.