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Turn your side gig into your only gig: Creative to Founder Lab, Winter 2018

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:
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- 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 |
![]() Nicholas Fortugno |
![]() Amron D’Silva |
![]() Shaun Johnson |
![]() Athena Diaconis |
![]() Stan Spring |
![]() Alex Bisker
|
![]() Shani Syphrett |
![]() Lisa Pertoso |
![]() Nicole Bestard |
![]() Martin Lenclos |
![]() Darrick Rousseau |
![]() Christina J. Adranly |
![]() Matthieu Mingasson |
![]() Alex Todaro |
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.