Apostle Incubator: SoCal Community

AUG 22: “Creativity & The Business Value of Design”

Design is the process of fitting form to context. Context is what you cannot change. The form is what you can change. Applying design principles and values to business has a provable impact on ROI.

AUG 29: "Unlocking Methods for Generating Great Ideas"

The foundation upon which all businesses are built is meeting the needs of stakeholders. Stakeholders include not just customers but a vast community of allies and adversaries each with their own aspirations, values and constraints.

SEP 05: "Unveiling the Secrets of your Customers"

Identify the external forces and conditions in which you will operate. Understanding those forces will direct your research and planning to help identify risks, challenges and opportunities.

SEP 12: "Who are your Competitors: Leveraging the Macroenvironment for Success"

Develop insight into your CUSTOMERS by identifying unmet needs and opportunities.

SEP 19: "Identify the Problem that you want to solve with your Idea"

Synthesize research into an aspirational vision statement that articulates the expected impact that your business will have on stakeholders.

SEP 26: "Embracing Limitless Options Through Divergent Thinking"

Understanding the methods and mindsets that cultivate innovation.

OCT 03: "Your Value Proposition"

Divergent thinking is the process of abandoning constraints and opening up the imagination. Often called "out-of-the-box thinking" or "lateral thinking" it is an essential tool of creative ideation. 

OCT 10: "Breaking Free From Imaginary Constraints"

Understand the difference between real constraints and imaginary constraints. Challenge assumptions and remove legacy obstacles. 

OCT 17: "Merging Constraints & Customer Needs for Breakthrough Ideas"

Armed with a pile of crazy ideas and well-understood constraints, narrow your focus and apply constraints to your idea to come up with ideas that are feasible, viable, and desirable.

OCT 24: "Creating your Business Model Canvas Part 1"

Who are your customers and how do you deliver value to your customer segments?

OCT 31: "Creating your Business Model Canvas Part 2"

What resources do you need to deliver that value?

NOV 07: "Putting it all Together: Your Business Model Canvas"

What is the cost/revenue structure of delivering value to your customers?

NOV 14: "Practicing your Pitch"

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice.

NOV 28: "How to Tell a Story"

Use narrative structure to advocate for your idea as a call to action.

DEC 05: Apostle Business Ideation Challenge

It's Opening Night!  Sell the audience!

*schedule is subject to change

JAN 24: “An Entrepreneurial Journey with Walter Larkin” followed by “An Introduction to LivePlan: A Business Plan Software”

JAN 31: "Communicating with your Customer" with Ingrid Martin

FEB 07: "Equity Split & Roles in the Company" with Rick Citron

FEB 14: "Determining Market Potential" with Nicollette and Ingrid

FEB 21: "Pricing your Product/Service" with Joy Fairbanks

FEB 28: "Estimating Your Expenses/Sales" with Frank McEnulty

MAR 07: "Building Your Financial Projections" with Frank McEnulty - HANDS-ON WORKSHOP

MAR 14: "Customer Acquisition Costs" with Joe Platnick, President Emeritus Pasadena Angels

MAR 21: "Protecting Your Intellectual Property" with Rob Rigole & Steve Boyer

APR 04: "Storytelling and Your Pitch" with Ebony Utley, IIE Associate Director

This session will NOT be recorded. 

APR 11: "Social Enterprises/Non-profits" with Isabelle Bart, IIE Director of Programs

APR 18: "Intrapreneurship" with Travis Taylor, P2S

APR 20: Sunstone Innovation Challenge at The Pointe - IN-PERSON EVENT

APR 25: "Creativity & Your Business Model" with Alan Pullman, Studio 111 - CANCELLED

MAY 02: "Bootstrapping & Crowdfunding" with The Apostle Incubator Team - CANCELLED

*schedule is subject to change