PHASE ONE: Business Ideation and Validation set the stage by guiding our 2024-25 Alumni Venture Seed Fund founders through the critical steps of business ideation and validation. Over the course of ten lessons, participants gained foundational knowledge and practical tools to transform their ideas into viable business ventures.
Led by industry experts, the phase covered everything from design thinking and Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), to market segmentation, customer development, and building a strong company culture. The founders learned to refine their business concepts through activities like creating customer personas, calculating their Total Addressable Market (TAM), and crafting clear mission and vision statements.
By the end of Phase One, founders had a solid understanding of how to target the right audiences, manage early-stage challenges, and develop strategies for sustainable growth, setting them up for success in the next stages of the program.
2024-25 ALUMNI VENTURE SEED FUND FOUNDERS
He is deeply passionate about technology and its potential to improve lives. His ultimate goal is to support his community and create a stable and habitable world for future generations. This drive motivates him to establish his own company that will serve as a foundation for these dreams.
I am deeply passionate about technology and its potential to improve lives. My ultimate goal is to support my community and create a stable and habitable world for future generations. This drive motivates me to establish my own company that will serve as a foundation for these dreams.
In addition to his ministerial duties, Glenn is a youth educator at The Hidden Genius Project, where he mentors and guides young people, helping them to realize their potential and develop their skills. As a youth educator, he has received ample opportunities to sharpen his tech skills and has found himself versed in multiple coding languages.
Glenn Ivory’s passion lies in serving the church, preaching the gospel, and uplifting his community. Whether through sermons, community service, The Hidden Genius Project, or personal interactions, he strives to make a positive impact and inspire others to find growth.
Currently serving as a Youth Educator at The Hidden Genius Project, Elijah mentors young adults in technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership. He is also the Founder & CEO of ChurroManCan, where he manages all aspects of operations, emphasizing personalized consumer experiences and strategic partnerships. Elijah brings diverse experience, including an internship at Worksite Labs focusing on research and development. As an athlete in Morehouse Track and Field, he balances rigorous training with academic rigor, demonstrating his dedication to both sports and education. His leadership extends to event coordination as an Event Coordinator at The Cali Club, organizing impactful community engagements.
Click each founder above to learn more about them and their business ventures.
LESSON 1
Program Overview and Expectations
Why are you starting a startup and how does it affect the decisions you make?
FACILITATOR: Sean Valentine
The Hidden Genius Project launched its entrepreneurial series with an inspiring session on Startup Ideation, led by Sean Valentine. This foundational workshop introduced participants to design thinking and the steps to creating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), setting the stage for transforming innovative ideas into actionable business concepts.
LESSON 2:
Proper Steps to Starting a Startup
Using Collaboration Tools
FACILITATOR: Sean Valentine
The second session of the series built on foundational skills, with Sean Valentine guiding participants through the essential steps for launching a successful startup. Using the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework, the workshop covered business planning, financial modeling, and early-stage strategies to turn ideas into actionable ventures.
LESSON 3:
Market Segmentation
FACILITATOR: Joey Flores
The third session of the series focused on Market Segmentation and Targeting, led by Joey Flores. This workshop highlighted the importance of understanding and identifying target markets to optimize business strategies. Participants learned how to leverage segmentation techniques to connect with the right audience and drive growth.
LESSON 4:
How to choose a Beachhead Market
How to get your first few customers, conduct interviews, and handle rejection
FACILITATOR: Joey Flores
The fourth session guided participants through the essential process of identifying a Beachhead Market. Led by Joey Flores, the workshop explored the principles of disciplined entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of market segmentation, customer development, and total addressable market (TAM) calculations to determine the right focus area for initial business efforts.
LESSON 5:
How to create an End User Profile; Time Management and Staying Focused
FACILITATOR: Joey Flores
In this interactive session, participants explored tools and techniques for Customer Outreach Automation. Facilitated by Joey Flores, the lesson delved into leveraging technology to streamline communications while maintaining authenticity and personalization.
LESSON 6:
Developing Customer Personas and Competitive Research
How to lead a team and create a company culture
FACILITATOR: Honorebel Walker
Lesson 6 focused on the importance of Customer Persona Creation to understand the needs and frustrations of end users. Facilitated by Honorebel Walker, this session empowered participants to develop actionable insights into their target audiences, ensuring their ventures remain customer-centric.
LESSON 7:
How to write a monthly stakeholder update; How to create a full lifecycle use case
FACILITATOR: James Green
In Lesson 7, participants learned the importance of clear and consistent Stakeholder Communication. Led by James Green, the session introduced the concept of stakeholder updates, empowering participants to keep investors, partners, and team members aligned and informed.
LESSON 8:
How to write a Mission Statement, Vision Statement, Elevator Pitch, and Clear value proposition
FACILITATOR: Desmond Paré
Lesson 8 centered on the core of any successful business: a clear Mission and Vision Statement. Facilitated by Desmond Paré, the session guided participants through crafting statements that inspire action and align with their long-term goals.
LESSON 9:
Calculating the Total Addressable Market (TAM)
Understanding what is most likely to kill your startup
FACILITATOR: Ted Paff
This session focused on the various challenges and strategies associated with launching and sustaining a successful startup. Topics ranged from the importance of adaptability and the risks inherent in startup ventures, to practical advice on managing resources and building strong teams. The participants shared personal experiences, discussed potential pitfalls, and explored actionable steps to mitigate risks and ensure the long-term viability of their business ideas.
LESSON 10:
Creating high-level product specs and a test brochure
FACILITATOR: Keenan Williams
The Hidden Genius Project hosted an engaging virtual session where Geniuses and alumni shared their innovative entrepreneurial ventures and received mentorship from industry leaders like Keenan D. Williams. With an emphasis on leveraging accelerators and refining business concepts, the session provided participants with invaluable feedback and practical advice to turn their ideas into scalable ventures.