PHASE FOUR: MARKETING PHASE Our Hidden Genius Alumni crossed over to a new chapter of the Alumni Venture Seed Fund: the Marketing Phase. In this phase, our young entrepreneurs have been learning all aspects of marketing from the best in the game. From market research and competitive analysis to branding and logo creation, our Geniuses are understanding how to get out in front of the target population, convert, and retain them.
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
Quantifying Your Value Proposition
FACILITATORS: Joey Flores
This session focused on quantifying value propositions for startups. Facilitated by Joey Flores, the discussion covered strategies for effectively communicating the benefits of a product or service in tangible, measurable terms. Participants explored how to define their as-is state, articulate the possible state with their solution, and calculate the key metrics that demonstrate impact.
LESSON 2:
How to Define KPIs, Measure Them, and Iterate
FACILITATOR: Joey Flores
In this session, which was facilitated by Joey Flores, our Genius Founders focused on defining and measuring Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track business success. Participants learned how to differentiate metrics from KPIs, how to select actionable performance indicators, and the importance of measuring the right data to optimize business strategies.
LESSON 3:
How to ask Strangers for Help and Advice // How to Network
FACILITATOR: Sean Valentine and Jeremiah Jackson
This dynamic session focused on asking strangers for advice and how to network effectively. Facilitated by Sean and Jeremiah Jackson, the workshop emphasized the value of relationship-building, authenticity, and leveraging your community to advance personal and professional goals. Participants shared updates on their ventures, reflected on past learnings, and discussed best practices for building meaningful connections.
LESSON 4:
Market Research and Competitive Analyses
FACILITATOR: Sean Valentine and Honorebel Walker
In this session, our Genius Founders focused on market research and competitive analysis, led by Sean Valentine and Honorebel Walker. The discussion emphasized understanding your market, identifying customer needs, and evaluating competitors to refine business strategies. Participants explored ways to narrow their target audience, validate product demand, and position their startups effectively
LESSON 5:
Branding and Logo // Completing Brand Attributes
FACILITATOR: Joey Flores
Our knowledgeable facilitator Joey Flores returned this session to teach our Genius Founders about branding, logo design, and developing brand guidelines. The discussion emphasized the importance of branding in shaping public perception, building trust, and creating consistency across all business materials. Participants also engaged in interactive exercises to define their brand attributes and develop a visual identity for their startups.
LESSON 6:
Digital: Go to Market Plan on Distribution
FACILITATOR: Joey Flores
This session focused on LinkedIn outreach, customer research, and go-to-market (GTM) strategies, facilitated by Joey Flores. Participants explored how to improve response rates on LinkedIn, validate customer needs, and build an effective GTM strategy. The discussion emphasized building meaningful connections, testing different messaging approaches, and strategically planning product launches.
LESSON 7:
Go to Market Plan on Promotion & Advertising
FACILITATOR: Honorebel Walker
Lesson 7 covered everything related to pitch deck presentations, customer validation, and networking strategies. Facilitated by Honorebel Walker, the discussion included real-time feedback on startup pitch decks, the importance of customer interviews, and effective outreach strategies to build business connections. Participants were encouraged to refine their presentations, engage with potential users, and proactively seek expert advice to accelerate their startup progress.
LESSON 8:
How to Make Sales and Partnership Pitch Decks // How to get PR for your Startup
FACILITATOR: Dan Garraway
This session, facilitated by Dan Garraway, focused on pitching strategies, storytelling in business, and effective pitch deck creation. Participants explored how to craft compelling pitches that engage investors, customers, and stakeholders while incorporating clear, structured narratives and personal motivation.
LESSON 9:
When and How to Think About Partnerships for Your Startup
FACILITATOR: Honorebel Walker
Our final session in the Marketing Phase, facilitated by Honorebel Walker, focused on customer discovery, pitch deck organization, and technical planning for MVP development. Participants discussed best practices for organizing their customer interview transcripts, structuring a lean business model canvas, and outlining their technology stack to prepare for product development.