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.

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.

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.

Speak with a marketing expert on topics such as go-to-market strategy, customer segmentation, social media planning, and lead generation.

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 one-on-one support on how to: (1) use design thinking methods to identify meaningful needs, (2) gain customer/user empathy, and (3) develop a design research plan to identify ideas that resonate with customers.

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.”