Rural Business Innovators
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Customer Discovery » Pitch » Next-Step Strategy
Designed for Rural Iowans, by Rural Iowans
Iowans are tough, resourceful, and creative. These are the same qualities demonstrated naturally by entrepreneurs and innovators. Rural Business Innovators is for our inventive and resilient rural Iowans.
Rural Business Innovators is a start-up accelerator that helps rural tech and innovation entrepreneurs develop their business ideas and connects them to resources, partners and mentors in the state-wide entrepreneurial ecosystem. The program offers group training (online), one-on-one counseling (online or in-person), next-step guidance, and exposure to a network of mentors, state resources, & entrepreneurial peers. Rural Business Innovators is brought to you by the Iowa Small Business Development Center (https://iowasbdc.org/).
Overview
11-Week Program: 3 Peer-to-Peer/Group Trainings, 8 One-on-One Counseling Sessions, 18 to 20-Hour Time Commitment, Specifically for Rural* Tech/Innovation Entrepreneurs
Content: Customer Discovery**, Pitch Development/Practice, Feedback, and Next Step Strategy
Deliverables: Completed Digital Innovator Profile, Business Model Canvas and Pitch Deck; Next-Step Guidance and Support for Business Development Purposes
Exposure to a Network of Mentors, Potential Investors, State Resources, & Entrepreneurial Peers
*The U.S. Census Bureau defines "rural" as any population, housing, or territory that exists outside of an urban area,
**"Customer Discovery" is the process of getting to know potential customers, their pain points, and how a proposed solution can help solve these problems.
Your Online Profile
Participants receive their own individualized online profile that guides them through the program and serves as a place to display their content.
What’s on Your Profile?
Your Company Dashboard, Program Syllabus and Checklist
Online Pitch Deck, Value Proposition Deck, and Business Model Canvas
Innovator Peer Group Forum and Other Resources
Your Innovator Network
Connecting individuals to resources in the much larger, Iowa entrepreneurial ecosystem is important. Rural Business Innovators makes this a priority.
Your Network
Receive Access to a Virtual Forum with Your Peers
Have the Opportunity to Present Your Concept
Connect with Mentors, Potential Investors, State Resources, & Other Entrepreneurial Programs
Next-Step Support
Innovators who complete the program are given additional support to help execute next steps in their start-up process.
Examples of Next-Step Support
Contribute to Prototype Development Costs
Cover Costs Associated with Start-up Planning or Feasibility
Help Pay for Marketing Materials or Pitch Development