​Companies in the Venture Mechanics incubator are entitled to an unlimited free buffet of these workshops during their term. The workshops are also open to startups that aren't in the incubator, at the regular tuition price. Dinner is included, and parking is always free.

​More About This Workshop:
"Everything Legal" is a high-density workshop that introduces all the contracts every startup will need to be familiar with, licensing agreements, patent and trademark protection (building your “IP moat”), common debt and equity funding structures, stock options,  Sarbanes Oxley compliance in fundraising, and more.

​
"Everything Legal"

​This workshop takes a deep dive into two vital aspects of protecting the value of the business you’re creating. Part I covers the corporate structure, stock distribution, and about 15-20 legal contracts that startups usually need to develop by the time they’re selling stock, hiring employees and generating revenue. Part II covers your trademarks, patents and other forms of intellectual property.

​Part I: Some of the most daunting tasks in creating a new startup are things like figuring out the “cap table,” equitably dividing equity between co-founders, selecting the ideal legal entity type (e.g. C-Corp vs LLC), and starting out with rigorous corporate hygiene from the get go, so it doesn’t become an obstacle to closing a funding round later. You’ll learn about all the legal documents that you’ll need to create to support your business and protect its value, spanning from employee agreements to user licensing agreements. You'll also learn about the things that every CEO should know about Sarbanes Oxley rules before speaking in front of investors.

​Part II: You’ll learn from three highly experienced attorneys how to build a fortress around your IP. Included will be “brand protection” - everything from trademarks to domain names to trade secrets. Next up, how to structure licensing agreements - especially for software companies that will rely on these contracts for the majority of their revenue. Lastly, we’ll dive into patents, including the rapidly changing landscape of AI and machine learning patentability.

​Learn from a veteran serial entrepreneur, veteran startup lawyer, an expert intellectual property strategist, and a highly experienced patent attorney on the various ways of protecting and enhancing the value of your enterprise, from inception to exit. You will walk away from this workshop with a checklist of legal documents you’ll need to create and filings you’ll need to make in order to comply with the law, optimize your investors’ and founders’ pre-tax and after-tax returns, protect your intellectual property assets, and minimize your overall business risks.

​Our Instructors:

​Brooks Lindsay,

​Founding Attorney, Light Legal PLLC

​John J. Murphy,

​Principal Attorney, Audentes Fortuna Law PLLC

​Jonathan Olsen,

​Patent Attorney, ÆON Law

​Details:

​​One ticket entitles you to bring up to two founders from your startup.

​​Free and convenient parking is always available at Venture Mechanics. The course begins promptly at 5:30pm, but feel free to arrive up to an hour early to network with the instructors and other attendees. Please aim to arrive between 5pm and 5:30pm. A light dinner will be served at around 6:45pm.

Each quarter, Venture Mechanics offers a rotating series of Founder Workshops on specific topics that every startup team needs to master. These are typically 3-4 hour evening sessions given by the best of our mentors. While the workshops are intended to be taken sequentially they can be taken out of order.

Each quarter, Venture Mechanics offers a rotating series of Founder Workshops on specific topics that every startup team needs to master. These are typically 3-4 hour evening sessions given by the best of our mentors. While the workshops are intended to be taken sequentially they can be taken out of order.

​Companies in the Venture Mechanics incubator are entitled to an unlimited free buffet of these workshops during their term. The workshops are also open to startups that aren't in the incubator, at the regular tuition price. Dinner is included, and parking is always free.

​"Customer Discovery"

​Join us for an interactive workshop designed to equip early-stage entrepreneurs with essential skills in customer discovery. Understanding your customers is so crucial for success that Venture Mechanics won't even accept a startup into the incubator unless a substantial amount of customer discovery has already been documented. This workshop will guide you through practical strategies and tools to identify, understand, and validate your target market effectively.

​Key Takeaways:

• ​Gain confidence in identifying and understanding your target market.
• ​Learn practical techniques for conducting meaningful customer interviews.
• ​Acquire tools to iterate and improve your product based on customer feedback.
• ​Network with fellow entrepreneurs and share insights.
  

​Who Should Attend:

• ​Early-stage founders looking to validate their business ideas.
• ​Entrepreneurs seeking to refine their product-market fit.

​Instructors:

​Angie Parker, Executive Director of The Alliance of Angels
Catherine Bhattachar, Chief Marketing Officer at Decathlon

​Details:

​​​Free and convenient parking is always available at Venture Mechanics. The course begins promptly at 6:00pm, but feel free to arrive up to 30 minutes early to network with the instructors and other attendees. IRL attendees are welcome to bring their own dinners. Light snacks and beverages will be available.

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​Each quarter, Venture Mechanics offers a rotating series of Founder Workshops on specific topics that every startup team needs to master. These are typically 2.5-3 hour evening sessions given by the best of our mentors. While the workshops are intended to be taken sequentially they can be taken out of order.

​Companies in the Venture Mechanics Catapult Accelerator are entitled to an unlimited free buffet of these workshops during their term. The workshops are also open to startups that aren't in the Catapult, at the regular tuition price.

​More About This Workshop:

​"Branding and Customer Acquisition"

​In an ever-evolving business landscape, the ability to establish a strong brand, craft effective marketing strategies, and acquire and retain customers is paramount to the success of any startup. This comprehensive course delves into the core principles and practical applications of branding, strategic marketing, and customer acquisition strategies. It also goes into detail on how to legally protect your brand, develop a robust domain name strategy, and leverage social media opportunities effectively, especially when you don’t have funding yet to deploy paid marketing.

​Learn from veteran strategic marketing executives about how to create a powerful, enduring brand, and a successful marketing strategy that will win profitable customers for your business. This workshop combines interactive sessions, case studies, and practical exercises to facilitate understanding and application. Real-life examples and expert guidance ensure participants gain actionable insights.

​Course Objectives:

- Understand the fundamentals of branding and the importance of a strong brand identity.
- Develop strategic marketing plans tailored to startup environments.
- Explore customer acquisition techniques and retention strategies.
- Learn how to legally protect your brand and navigate intellectual property concerns.
- Formulate an effective domain name strategy to enhance brand visibility and online presence.
- Master the use of social media platforms to promote your brand and engage with customers without a substantial budget..

Target Audience:
- Aspiring entrepreneurs and startup founders.
- Marketing professionals looking to enhance their skills.
- Business students interested in startup marketing and customer discovery.

Instructors:

​Nick White, Head of Marketing, Thinkie Inc.

​Wes Buckwalter, CEO Founder, SeaMonster Studios

​Details:

​The course begins promptly at 6:00pm, but feel free to arrive up to 30 minutes early to network with the instructors and other attendees. IRL attendees are welcome to bring their own dinners. Light snacks and beverages will be available. Free and convenient parking is always available at Venture Mechanics.

‍

Each quarter, Venture Mechanics offers a rotating series of Founder Workshops on specific topics that every startup team needs to master. These are typically 2.5-3 hour evening sessions given by the best of our mentors. While the workshops are intended to be taken sequentially they can be taken out of order.

​Companies in the Venture Mechanics Catapult Accelerator are entitled to an unlimited free buffet of these workshops during their term. The workshops are also open to startups that aren't in the Catapult, at the regular tuition price.

​More About This Workshop:

​"Jumpstarting Sales for Startups"

​Getting sales is one of the biggest challenges facing startup founders, particularly in the early stages when they are the primary salespeople  This workshop will provide startup founders with the tools and strategies they need to jumpstart their sales efforts, get market traction and scale.  Participants will also learn how neuroscience and psychology can be used to help demystify the sales process and build sales confidence and success.

​The workshop will be delivered in an engaging fireside chat format.  This will enable the three presenters to interact with each other and the audience as they share their presentation.  The session will combine both the theory and practical aspects of the sales process with plenty of real-world case studies discussed.  

​Workshop Objectives

​By the end of the course, startup founders will be able to:  

1. ​Define their target market in detail using psychographics
2. ​Craft offers that resonate with buyers’ emotions and logic  
3. ​Design and optimize a sales funnel that drives conversions  
4. ​Map the buyer’s journey to optimize the marketing and sales tactics used
5. ​Apply neuroscience and psychology at every step of the sales process
6. ​Identify and avoid common pitfalls in product development and sales
7. ​Develop a clear, actionable sales process that produces results

​Key Learnings  

• ​Innovation Adoption Lifecycle: Align sales strategies with how customers adopt new technologies  
• ​Neuroscience in Sales: Build trust and reduce buyer resistance by applying brain science to the sales process  
• ​Psychology in Sales: Use psychological insights to influence buyer decisions and close deals  
• ​Building Sales Credibility: Leverage pilots, customer testimonials and case studies to jumpstart sales
• ​Product Development Traps: Recognize and avoid common pitfalls during product development  
• ​Sales Team Scaling: Implement processes to effectively scale a sales team and achieve market traction  

​Who Should Attend

• ​Aspiring entrepreneurs and startup founders
• ​Startup team members responsible for sales, marketing or product development

​​Instructors:

​Mark Kotzer

​Lief Larson

​Shannon Smith

​​Details:

​​​​The course begins promptly at 6:00pm, but feel free to arrive up to 30 minutes early to network with the instructors and other attendees. IRL attendees are welcome to bring their own dinners. Light snacks and beverages will be available. Free and convenient parking is always available at Venture Mechanics.

‍

Each quarter, Venture Mechanics offers a rotating series of Founder Workshops on specific topics that every startup team needs to master. These are typically 3-4 hour evening sessions given by the best of our mentors. While the workshops are intended to be taken sequentially they can be taken out of order.

​Companies in the Venture Mechanics incubator are entitled to an unlimited free buffet of these workshops during their term. The workshops are also open to startups that aren't in the incubator, at the regular tuition price. Dinner is included, and parking is always free.

​
"Human Capital for Startups"

​Workshop Description:

​Managing human capital effectively is critical for startups aiming to build resilient and high-performing teams. This course dives into the essential aspects of human resources tailored specifically for startup environments. From planning staffing levels to designing compensation structures, implementing incentives, addressing legal considerations, structuring benefits plans, and exploring automation opportunities, this course provides comprehensive guidance to help startups attract, retain, and develop top talent.

​Course Overview:

​Join us for an in-depth exploration of human capital management strategies that are crucial for startup success. Led by seasoned HR professionals with extensive startup experience, this course combines theoretical knowledge with practical insights to equip you with the tools needed to build and manage a strong workforce.

​Practical Applications and Case Studies:

​Participants will engage in practical exercises, case studies, and discussions to apply theoretical concepts to real-world startup scenarios. Through interactive sessions, you will learn how to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities in human capital management.

​

​Who Should Attend:

• ​Founders and co-founders responsible for HR and team management.
• ​Startup executives and managers overseeing human resources functions.
• ​HR professionals transitioning into startup environments or looking to enhance their startup-specific skills.
  

​Instructors:

​Shannon Swift, CEO Swift HR Solutions

​Details:

​If there is sufficient time, the instructors will solicit founders in the audience to ask about their startups' specific branding and/or customer acquisition strategies, and get some ideation going together with the other founders and mentors in the room.

​​Free and convenient parking is always available at Venture Mechanics. The doors open at 5pm, and the course begins at 5:00pm. A light dinner will be served at around 6:30pm.

‍

Each quarter, Venture Mechanics offers a rotating series of Founder Workshops on specific topics that every startup team needs to master. These are typically 2.5-3 hour evening sessions given by the best of our mentors. While the workshops are intended to be taken sequentially they can be taken out of order.

​Companies in the Venture Mechanics Catapult Accelerator are entitled to an unlimited free buffet of these workshops during their term. The workshops are also open to startups that aren't in the Catapult, at the regular tuition price.

​More About This Workshop:

​"Budget Modeling for Startups"

​Effective budgeting is essential for startup success, providing a roadmap for financial management and strategic decision-making. This workshop is designed to equip startup founders and financial decision-makers with the skills and knowledge to develop robust budget models tailored to their business needs. From initial projections to ongoing monitoring and adjustment, participants will learn practical techniques and tools to navigate financial complexities and optimize resource allocation.

Key Learning Objectives:

• ​Gain critical insights into tax planning strategies that can save millions during an exit event.
• ​Understand estate planning steps applicable before fundraising rounds or exit scenarios.
• ​Learn about legal maneuvers and structures to optimize tax efficiency and retain capital gains.

​Key Takeaways:

• ​Develop a practical and scalable budget model aligned with your startup’s growth trajectory.
• ​Gain insights into effective revenue forecasting and expense management strategies.
• ​Learn to use budgeting as a tool for strategic decision-making and resource allocation.
• ​Access templates, tools, and resources to streamline budgeting processes.

​Who Should Attend:

• ​Startup founders and entrepreneurs responsible for financial planning and management.
• ​CFOs, finance managers, and financial analysts seeking to enhance budgeting skills.
• ​Investors and advisors interested in understanding startup financial operations and budget modeling.
  

​Instructor:

​Bill Dillmeier, Fractional CFO | SaaS Finance Leader

​Details:

​​​The course begins promptly at 6:00pm, but feel free to arrive up to 30 minutes early to network with the instructors and other attendees. IRL attendees are welcome to bring their own dinners. Light snacks and beverages will be available. Free and convenient parking is always available at Venture Mechanics.

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About Event

​Each quarter, Venture Mechanics offers a rotating series of Founder Workshops on specific topics that every startup team needs to master. These are typically 2.5-3 hour evening sessions given by the best of our mentors. While the workshops are intended to be taken sequentially they can be taken out of order.

​Companies in the Venture Mechanics Catapult Accelerator are entitled to an unlimited free buffet of these workshops during their term. The workshops are also open to startups that aren't in the Catapult, at the regular tuition price. This particular event is sponsored by UBS, allowing us to offer free tickets.

​More About This Workshop:

​"Wealth Management for Startups"

​Strategies for Startup Founders to Maximize Their Wealth After Exit

​As a startup founder, navigating the complexities of taxation during and after an exit event is crucial to maximizing your wealth. This workshop provides essential knowledge and strategies tailored for large founder stockholders aiming to minimize tax liabilities and preserve capital gains. Whether you're preparing for acquisition, IPO, or another exit scenario, proactive tax planning can save millions in potential taxes.

Key Learning Objectives:

• ​Gain critical insights into tax planning strategies that can save millions during an exit event.
• ​Understand estate planning steps applicable before fundraising rounds or exit scenarios.
• ​Learn about legal maneuvers and structures to optimize tax efficiency and retain capital gains.

​Who Should Attend:

• ​Startup founders and executives with significant founder stock holdings.
• ​Entrepreneurs anticipating an exit event (acquisition, IPO, etc.) in the future.
• ​Advisors and investors interested in maximizing wealth preservation for startup founders.

​Don't miss this opportunity to equip yourself with essential knowledge and actionable strategies to navigate tax implications effectively. By proactively managing your tax liabilities and optimizing wealth preservation strategies, you can retain more of your hard-earned capital gains and secure your financial future post-exit. Join us and empower yourself with the tools to make informed decisions that safeguard your financial success.

Instructors:

​Michael Bockner, UBS Wealth Management

​Details:

​The course begins promptly at 6:00pm, but feel free to arrive up to 30 minutes early to network with the instructors and other attendees. IRL attendees are welcome to bring their own dinners. Light snacks and beverages will be available. Free and convenient parking is always available at Venture Mechanics.

‍

Each quarter, Venture Mechanics offers a rotating series of Founder Workshops on specific topics that every startup team needs to master. These are typically 2.5-3 hour evening sessions given by the best of our mentors. While the workshops are intended to be taken sequentially they can be taken out of order.

​Companies in the Venture Mechanics Catapult Accelerator are entitled to an unlimited free buffet of these workshops during their term. The workshops are also open to startups that aren't in the Catapult, at the regular tuition price.

​More About This Workshop:

​"Exit Analysis for Early Stage Startups"

​Learning Objectives:

• ​Develop a strategic roadmap for planning and executing a successful exit.
• ​Acquire skills to research potential acquirers and assess exit valuation.
• ​Understand negotiation techniques and deal structuring strategies.
• ​Gain insights into legal considerations and regulatory challenges in exit transactions.

​Who Should Attend:

• ​Startup founders and entrepreneurs preparing for an exit event.
• ​CFOs, executives, and advisors involved in strategic decision-making and exit planning.
• ​Investors and stakeholders interested in maximizing returns through successful exits.

​Don't miss this opportunity to master the intricacies of exit analysis and position your startup for a successful transition. Whether you're aiming to sell your company or explore other exit opportunities, this course equips you with the knowledge and tools to navigate the process with confidence and achieve optimal outcomes. Join us and unlock the pathway to a successful exit for your startup.

​Instructors:

​Bill Dillmeier, Fractional CFO | SaaS Finance Leader

​Ron Wiener, Chief Mechanics at Venture Mechanics

​Details:

​The course begins promptly at 6:00pm, but feel free to arrive up to 30 minutes early to network with the instructors and other attendees. IRL attendees are welcome to bring their own dinners. Light snacks and beverages will be available. Free and convenient parking is always available at Venture Mechanics.

Each quarter, Venture Mechanics offers a rotating series of Founder Workshops on specific topics that every startup team needs to master. These are typically 2.5-3 hour evening sessions given by the best of our mentors. While the workshops are intended to be taken sequentially they can be taken out of order.

​Companies in the Venture Mechanics Catapult Accelerator are entitled to an unlimited free buffet of these workshops during their term. The workshops are also open to startups that aren't in the Catapult, at the regular tuition price.

​More About This Workshop:

​
"Cap Table Modeling for Startups and Term Sheet Determination"

​Workshop Description:

​Navigating the complexities of equity distribution is crucial for any startup aiming for sustainable growth and investment success. This intensive workshop on Cap Table Modeling for Startups offers a deep dive into the principles and practical applications of managing your startup’s capitalization table. Understanding how to model and maintain a cap table is vital for founders to ensure fair equity distribution, attract investors, and make informed strategic decisions.

​Join us to learn from seasoned venture capitalists and financial experts who will guide you through the intricacies of cap table dynamics, investor relations, and equity management. This workshop combines interactive lectures, real-world case studies, and hands-on modeling exercises to ensure participants gain comprehensive and actionable insights.

​Course Objectives:

Understand the fundamentals of cap tables and their importance in startup finance.

• ​Learn how to create and manage a cap table that reflects your startup’s equity structure accurately.
• ​Explore the impact of different funding rounds on your cap table.
• ​Gain insights into dilution, stock options, and convertible notes.
• ​Develop strategies to maintain a balanced cap table while negotiating with investors.
• ​Utilize cap table modeling tools and software effectively.
  
  Target Audience:
  - Aspiring entrepreneurs and startup founders.
  - Business students interested in startup marketing and customer discovery.

​Instructors:

​Bill Dillmeier, Fractional CFO | SaaS Finance Leader

​Brooks Lindsay, Founder and Principal Attorney Light Legal LLC.

​Details:

​The course begins promptly at 6:00pm, but feel free to arrive up to 30 minutes early to network with the instructors and other attendees. IRL attendees are welcome to bring their own dinners. Light snacks and beverages will be available. Free and convenient parking is always available at Venture Mechanics.

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