Creative to Founder Lab is our creative entrepreneurship bootcamp designed to empower creatives to transform their start-up idea into a reality. Over the 8-week program, Creative to Founder supports you through your entrepreneurial journey by helping you focus your “blue sky” ideas, define your vision and strategy, create a sustainable business model, and begin sharing and testing your concept with the world. This program is ideal for freelancers, recent graduates, and other creatives looking to make a career change/pivot into starting their own media/tech business.

Between February and March 2018, Creative to Founder consists of small classes and other personalized programs up to twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with leading entrepreneurs who have created their own businesses or work at successful startups and know what it takes to build a company. With only 15-20 selected participants, the Lab aims to provide an intimate, encouraging, and focused space for you to plan and execute your dream project. 

We’re looking for devoted participants with a serious commitment to getting their nascent idea or start-up off the ground, and therefore may hold our program sessions either in the evening (starting at 6:30pm) or in late afternoon (4:00 to 6:00 pm).

By the end of the program you will have a clear understanding of how to build a leader’s mindset, create a sustainable brand, and bring your product/project to market.  You’ll walk away with a pitch deck and the opportunity to present your concept with potential partners and our community of founders on the final day of the lab.

• General Application deadline: January 26, 2018 ($2,000)
• Program start date: February 7, 2018
• Program end date: March 29, 2018
• Program cost: General – $2,000 (Jan 26) | Student Discount – $1,000 (Jan 26)
• Please note: we also offer payment plan options for prospective applicants, please email Bill Curran, Programming Producer, at bcurran@nymediacenter.com for additional information.

SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP OFFER:

Sign up for 6-month incubator membership and join Creative to Founder Lab for free! 

For more information, please email Courtney Potts, Community Engagement Manager, at cpotts@nymediacenter.com.

What You’ll Get

• Up to 16 entrepreneurial classes led by industry leaders 
• 3 months of community workspace at the Media Center
• 2 six-hour class elective credits through our ClassWork education program
• Private meetings with our experts-in-residence
• Valuable first-hand access and insight from entrepreneurs
• Core understanding of design thinking, business & entrepreneurial concepts
• Networking opportunities
• Opportunity to pitch your venture in front of potential partners and funders

Types of Topics Covered:

• • Vision and Strategy Statement Development
  • Introduction to Design Thinking and Rapid Prototyping
  • Agile and Lean Methodology
  • Market Research and Business Models
  • Project Management Strategy + Working with Developers
  • Building Your Brand from the Beginning
  • Copywriting for Your Brand
  • Creating Revenue Forecasts and Budgets
  • Creating a Digital Marketing Strategy
  • Growth Hacking and Understanding Analytics
  • DIY PR and Working With Journalists
  • Creating a Memorable Pitch Deck
  • Business Development and Entrepreneurial Sales
  • Leadership Mindset and Growing Your Team with Purpose

   

Past Instructors

Chris Bolman VP of Marketing, Percolate	Nicholas Fortugno Co-founder/CCO, Playmatics	Amron D’Silva Managing Director, Union Square Capital Advisors
Shaun Johnson Co-founder, Startup Institute	Athena Diaconis Co-founder, Median	Stan Spring Senior Copywriter, Cambridge Analytica

Alex Bisker Director, Custom Partner Solutions, 18F	Shani Syphrett Founder, Brand Strategist & Marketing Consultant, Sheft	Lisa Pertoso Founder of Follow the Fear

Nicole Bestard Executive Vice President and General Manager, InkHouse New York	Martin Lenclos Founder, Lenclostudio and Pipture	Darrick Rousseau Growth Strategist, Ladder.io
Christina J. Adranly Founding Director, GRAYCE & CO	Matthieu Mingasson Group Director, Product Design, Code and Theory	Alex Todaro Co-founder, Median

Contact

For more information regarding the Lab or the application process, please email Bill Curran at bcurran@nymediacenter.com.

About The Made in NY Media Center by IFP

The Media Center was founded as a result of a unique partnership between the Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP) and the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (“Made in NY”). We are a collaborative workspace designed to support and connect the next generation of media and tech entrepreneurs, filmmakers, and artists with educational opportunities, mentorship, events, and industry resources. The 20,000-square-foot facility in DUMBO features co-working spaces, a talent incubator, a 72-seat screening room, media arts gallery, and café in addition to dedicated spaces for classes, conferences, meetings, and tenancy.