FOUNDERS' MASTERCLASS

GROUP STUDY
[JULY 15 – AUG 15]

30 DAYS OF INTERACTIVE LEARNING AND ACCOUNTABILITY

WEEK ONE

HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR CUSTOMER/USER AVATAR

Don’t be a stranger.

If you don’t know your customer, you don’t know jack. When you dive deep to truly understand your customer, you develop empathy and understanding. This helps you to produce products and services that change the world.

HOW TO RESEARCH YOUR COMPETITORS AND COMPLEMENTS

You can’t beat ’em if you don’t know ’em.

We’ll make sure you understand them like the back of your hand.

We won’t stop at competitors. We’ll peel the curtain on complements — those companies that have synergistic powers that bring you new business.

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HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR REVENUE MODEL AND PRICING

Not having a strategy is not a strategy.

I’ll give you the lowdown on the various monetization strategies for your business.

When you know how you’ll make money you put your company in a position to win. And if you’re not in it to win it…you know the rest.

HOW TO BUILD YOUR GROWTH MODEL AND EQUATION

How does your garden grow?

Building a growth model and growth equation unlocks the secret to growth. You can’t hack growth if you lack visability into what fuels your company’s growth.

If you know addition and subtraction, you can build a growth model and equation.

WEEK TWO

HOW TO SOURCE REVENUE AND EXPENSE ASSUMPTIONS

Garbage in. Garbage out.

Only dummies use dummy numbers. I’ll teach you how to build a financial model based on real data. You will learn how to find revenue and expense assumptions that show you know your stuff.

No faking it here.

HOW TO BUILD A SALIENT SIX FINANCIAL MODEL

You’re not here to be an Accountant.

We’ll build a true startup financial model that integrates to your payment system and accounting software to give you up-to-date financial information.

A research-based financial model gives you visibility into your company’s health and allows you to sleep at night. I’ll drink to that!

HOW TO FIND THE METRICS THAT MATTER MOST

MAU? ARPU? CPC?

How do you know the best metrics to track? Each business is different. I’ll teach you how to find the best metrics for your business model. When you know what to measure, you gain insight into how your company is performing.

The right data empowers you to ask the age old question: Shall I stay or shall I pivot?

HOW TO VALUE YOUR COMPANY THE RIGHT WAY

What are your worth?

If you don’t know your company’s value, you can’t negotiate. We’ll develop a valuation for your company, so you know when to hold ’em, when to fold ’em, when to walk away, and when to run.

WEEK THREE

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HOW TO FIND THE BEST SOURCE OF CAPITAL

Equity? Debt? Pre-sales?

You want to know the best source of capital for your company. Not all companies are VC fundable. Do you know your alternative?

I’ll teach you how to find the right source of capital and the right contacts to raise capital fast. Wasting time knocking on the wrong doors is for suckers.

HOW TO SET YOUR FUNDING STRATEGY

Time is money.

I’ll show you how to put together a winning funding strategy that will save you time and your sanity.

Raising capital is a process. Do the right thing at the wrong time and you risk blowing up your funding strategy.

Process. Patience. Prayer.

HOW TO KNOW WHAT INVESTORS WANT

What do they want from me?

A 200 page business plan? Oh, heck no. Less is more. Get to the point.

I’ll teach you what investors really want (and need) from prospective investment opportunities.

Don’t waste time preparing information nobody will read.

HOW TO BUILD A WINNING PITCH DECK

What’s your story?

Every company has a story. Learning to tell your story to an investor is part art and part science.

I’ll show you how to craft a powerful financial story that wins over investors, friends, and enemies.

Ok. Nobody cares what your enemies think.

WEEK FOUR

HOW TO FIND INVESTORS

Do you come here often?

Courting investors is similar to dating. You want to find your soul mate without looking desperate. In the age of spray and pray, developing a targeted approach wins.

I’ll teach you the key elements to an outstanding pitch. No more giving your number out to someone who doesn’t call. You’re too good for that.

HOW TO PITCH INVESTORS

Do I have a deal for you!

Nobody likes a used car salesman. Unless, of course, you’re in the market for a used car.

I’ll show you how to pitch investors with dignity and sophistication. No begging. No empty promises.

When you know how to communicate with investors, you are in the driver’s seat.

HOW TO CLOSE INVESTORS

Show me the money.

I know. I know. We all just want to learn how to get the green stuff. I’ll show you how to overcome obstacles and get the dough.

Closing investors is an exercise in patience and persistance.  Move too fast and you lose them. Give up too soon and you’ll never know what could have been.

HOW TO FOLLOW UP WITH INVESTORS

Now that you’ve got the money, you need to keep it flowing.

I’ll teach you how to follow up with your investors. Whether it’s financial reporting or board meetings, you want to make sure your follow up gives investors the confidence needed to continue funding your company.

It’s easier to keep an existing investor than find new ones.

OUR WORK HAS BEEN FEATURED IN...

WHO'S FOUNDERS' MASTERCLASS FOR?

TL;DR companies that care about winning

REVENUE MODELS COVERED

SaaS/Subscription Based

Recurring revenue is a good thing.

Whether you’re selling software from the cloud or monthly shipments of organic cotton baby diapers shipped directly to the customers, recurring revenue has unique implications.

This course teaches you how to master subscription data.

Retail/Brick and Mortar

Retail is not dead.

It is, however, evolving. Entrepreneurs no longer need to lock themselves into an expensive, five year commitment.

This course teaches you how to rollout the right amount of space for your venture.

Ad or Sponsor Based

This ain’t your daddy’s banner ad.

From banner ads to native advertising, selling space is lucrative if you balance it with the right content. Getting the right ads and sponsors is critical to a company’s success.

This course teaches you how to balance compelling ads with riveting content.

Ecommerce/Marketplace

If you can’t buy it on the web it doesn’t exist.

Selling products and services online is a great way to avoid holding inventory, but your digital inventory still needs maintenance.

This course teaches you how to manage your digital inventory in order to maximize profit.

INDUSTRIES COVERED

Technology

We’ve advised everything from semiconductors to mobile apps to ai.

I was born and raised in Silicon Valley. You can say technology is in my DNA.

Whether you’re building a SaaS startup or the next WALL-E, I’ve got your back.

Retail

Retail is alive and well. In fact, we’re proud to have advised top retailers – from pop up shops to multi-site boutiques.

I’ve worked with top fashion designers, consumer goods manufacturers, and brands that utilize physical space to enhance the customer experience.

Solopreneurs

If you’re a solopreneur, you’re not alone.

I’ve advised content creators, stylists, and other solopreneurs. You don’t need to be on the hunt for venture capital dollars to want to get your financial story in tip top shape.

Every entrepreneur needs to build a profitable company.

Social Enterprise

I love entrepreneurs who give back. Service is the rent we pay to the Universe and that’s one rent check that should never be late.

I’m passionate about service and have advised a wide range of social enterprises on top of the 10+ hours I volunteer each month.

WHO IS YOUR TEACHER?
Lili Balfour is the founder of Atelier Advisors and Finance for Entrepreneurs. She’s helped over 100 companies raise over $200 million and taught over 10,000 entrepreneurs around the world, both online and in person.

She’s advised a wide range of companies including: Derivix (acquired by FlexTrade Systems), Visual IQ (acquired by Nielsen), Decorist (acquired by Bed, Bath, and Beyond), Practice Fusion (acquired by Allscripts), Clerk Dogs (acquired by Netflix), FeedHenry (acquired by Red Hat), Bag, Borrow, or Steal, Erin Fetherston, Sustainable Minds, Eckhart Tolle, Wellbeats, Peeled Snacks, and too many other wonderful companies to list.

Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Fox Business, and Huffington Post. She’s served as a mentor and/or guest speaker for 500 Startups, Startup Grind, SF Hacker News, The Hivery, Stanford Igniters, American Express CEO Boot Camp, Smart Fabrics, and Silicon Vikings.

30 DAYS OF INTERACTIVE LEARNING FOR THE PRICE OF AN IPHONE X