Prior to launching, it is imperative that new startups get their go-to-market story focused and single-minded. Get 1-on-1 help with creating your brand story, how to avoid common mistakes in brand positioning, and determining the foundation for your story, such as WHAT you offer vs. HOW you operate vs. WHAT you stand for.

Topics include: 1) Market definition, segmentation and sizing, 2) Competition identification and profiling (direct and indirect), 3) Translating the POC into the MVP (if not already done), 4) Integrating prospect/customer response evaluation, 5) Assistance in refining and optimizing the offer, 6) Refining market potential/forecasts, 7) Providing potential direction for potential product/service channel identification and promotion, and 8) Developing and fine-tuning business strategy.

General startup advising that can cover a broad range of topics based on a team's needs. Whether your starting with just an idea, have a project ready for launch, or just want to learn more about the resources offered through the W.R. Berkley Innovation Labs, this session will answer your questions and help guide you down the right paths.

Pitch your idea to experienced mentors who can provide valuable feedback. You will meet with up to three of our expert advisors and can use the time in whatever way you feel will be most productive.

Ed Laganis, head of Smart Design’s engineering practice, has spent 20+ years in product development, prototyping, and manufacturing of medical devices, mobile technologies, housewares, toys, transportation, and equipment. Describing his role, Ed states, ”When Entrepreneurs, Strategists, and Designers create and write an amazing product or service plan, my team and I ensure its nonfiction.  Giving business leaders a tangible, meaningful, and feasible product - quickly - is my primary goal.”

Get legal insight into common startup issues such as intellectual property, corporate structure, contracts, partnership agreements, and investor proposals. NOTE: Legal Help Desk sessions are intended to provide direction and guidance, but not pro bono legal services.

Get 1-on-1 help with software design and development including (1) how to go from an idea to an actionable MVP (2) backend, frontend and data science questions (3) experience, service and UX design (4) prototyping and user testing.