Entrepreneurs are asked to contribute about two hours a month to hear and review presentations by prospective entrepreneurs.  The prospective entrepreneur’s presentation will focus on…

• Company and Mission Statement
• The Business Opportunity
• Research Performed –This includes potential customers, stock analyst, industry experts and visionaries
• Founder’s Background
• Proprietary Know How and Intellectual Property
• Information About the Market - Size, Growth, Location, Competitors
• Product and Marketing Strategy
• Three Year Sales Forecast
• Competition, Risks and Risk Management
• Identified Team Members and Their Strengths to Fulfill the Company’s Objectives
• What Support You’ll Need

The presentations are given within two (2) of the fourteen (14) seminar sessions within the Gulf Coast Startup program. Each session is 50 minutes. The program contents can be viewed by selecting Seminar Program in the left margin.

The Entrepreneur Collaborator will…

• Judge the soundness of the business concept and assumptions.
• Assess the marketing and competitive landscape and advice on how to launch the business.
• Advise them to proceed with a formal business and fund raising plan, modify their presentation or go back to the drawing board.

Remuneration

There is always a question as to whether a startup should provide remuneration to a collaborating entrepreneur. Most times, cash remuneration is not possible initially because of a startup’s restricted cash position.  We advised startups to provide some form of equity remuneration through a stock option pool or founders’ shares – typically 2 to 3% of total equity. Also since many collaborating entrpreneurs are "qualified" investors, the opportunity exists to raise seed funding.