As an idea-phase entrepreneur, you’ll need support with validating and launching your concept. Read topics and questions to consider below, get in touch with your closest SBDC regional center, check out resources for idea phase entrepreneurs and find upcoming educational events on our calendar.
As an idea-phase entrepreneur, you may be wondering if your idea has market potential or adequately solves a real problem. An NYSBDC advisor can assist you in answering these questions by guiding you through initial research and identification of customer pain points to confirm that there is a demand for your business solution.
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You won’t be successful as an entrepreneur without a solid understanding of your business’s target market. NYSBDC advisors can offer instruction on defining customer personas, analyzing competitors, estimating market size, and determining if there’s enough of an audience for your product or service.
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You’ll want to refine your core value proposition as an idea-phase entrepreneur,. NYSBDC advisors can help you work through exactly what makes your solution unique, relevant, and valuable to customers.
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A clear, sustainable business model for your venture will maximize your chance of success at launch. NYSBDC advisors can aid you with identifying revenue streams, potential partnerships, and your initial cost structure.
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In the idea phase, you might need assistance in shaping the first version of your product or service. NYSBDC advisors can help you think through prototyping, feature prioritization, and developing a minimum viable product (MVP).
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If you need resources to start your venture, you may be wondering about how you can gain access to funding sources. NYSBDC advisors are skilled in matching up idea-phase entrepreneurs with potential early-stage capital solutions to purse, like grants, angel investments, crowdfunding, or bootstrapping options.
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If you are in the idea phase, you may not yet have thought through all the legal and administrative requirements to start your business. NYSBDC advisors can help you plan for business registration, regulatory requirements, intellectual property protection, contracts, and more. Advisors happily work in tandem with any legal professionals you may have.
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Establishing a network of contacts who can provide feedback, industry insights, and connections can be invaluable to you at this early stage. Opportunities to network with other entrepreneurs can stoke your motivation and provide useful partnerships. NYSBDC advisors are skilled in helping idea-phase entrepreneurs make critical connections.
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As an idea-phase entrepreneur, you may not yet have set up feedback loops. These are ways to test your ideas with people, gather feedback, and make adjustments before an official launch. NYSBDC advisors can assist you in planning effective feedback loops for your idea.
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You may not have officially launched your venture yet, but having a grasp on brand positioning, messaging, and early marketing channels will be very beneficial as you approach your launch. NYSBDC advisors can assist you in learning where and how to reach your target audience.
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You might be interested in figuring out how to better allocate limited resources, like time, money, and effort, to your business idea. NYSBDC advisors can help you set priorities and create timelines for your first steps.
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The Business & Career Center is partnering with the City Bar Justice Center’s Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project (NELP) and Pace SBDC to offer a virtual small business legal clinic. This clinic, conducted by NELP, is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to meet with a team of pro...
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