Tech Launch

Tutor: Francis Yanga

Suggested Grade Level: Level A (Grades 9/10) and Level B (Grades 11/12)

Time: Tuesdays Period 2: 3-5:00 pm | September 3 - December 10, 2019 (makeup date December 17 if needed)

Location: Carpenter's Union, 3800 Highbury Ave S, London, ON N6N 1P3 (Classroom A)

Cost: $220 + $70 (Approx. cost for 3-month coding learning software license and web hosting fees.)

Description

Tech Launch offers real-world experiences in teamwork, critical thinking, creativity, technology, presentation and business development. It is a hybrid entrepreneurship and technology course that takes a group of students through the process of launching an actual startup.

Each student within the group is assigned a key role and together they are guided, step-by-step, through ideation, validation, development, and testing. Over 15-weeks students are introduced to many of the latest technologies, acquire new business skills, meet inspiring entrepreneurs, and find out how to work with others to create a successful product. Upon final completion, each company unveils their product before a panel of judges for a final assessment. Parents are invited to attend.

While no prior knowledge is needed, curiosity, initiative, coachability, and commitment are essential. Ultimately, students will be required to work independently to learn an age-appropriate technology associated with their business role [marketing (website development), business logistics (financial software), or sales (presentation software), etc] All applications will be web-based requiring the use of a home computer with Internet access. (Computers provided during class time.)

Required Materials

All required reading for this course will be supplied by the instructor in the form of web links and pdf documents at no cost to the student. The following optional sources are recommended reading:

1. How To Launch a Startup: An easy to understand 9-step guide to make your startup idea a real business. ~ by Milan Steskal

2. Creative Economy Entrepreneurs: From Startup to Success: How Startups in the Creative Industries are Transforming the Global Economy ~ by Alice Loy

3. New Business Ideas: 21 Simple Business Models to Build Your Own Startup ~ by James Willner

Additional Courses for Spring 2019: Logic