Wednesday 29th, August
4:30 - 6:30 pm Elevator pitch Training, with Marc Verstaen, Richard Zolezzi & Marie Perruchet
What defines a good elevator pitch? It is the ability to articulate a brief and clear description of your idea or business and the market opportunity surrounding it in a way that generates interest on the part of the listener to favorably consider what you want. During this session we will explore and practice, collaboratively, the simple keys to making an effective elevator pitch.
7:00 - 9:00 pm Is there really a startup culture? with Marc Verstaen
We keep on hearing about the cultural differences between start-ups and corporations. It is an accepted fact that there is such a thing as start-up culture, massively different from corporate culture. Really? And why that? What does "culture" covers when it comes to start-ups and corporations? More importantly in our case, what is the culture you need to create a hit. How should it evolve? How can it be created and modified?
Wednesday, September 5th
4:30 - 6:30 pm Accounting 101, with François Musé
Finance & Budgeting - forecasting
Every-day accounting - differences between French and American accounting: How to avoid all the pitfalls the entrepreneurs usually fall in?
7:00 - 9:00 pm A convincing Business Plan for your VC! with Jean-Louis Gassée and François Musé
What does a VC expect from your Business Plan? Listen carefully to Jean-Louis Gassée advice in terms of VC's expectations and learn how to adapt your Business Plan to your VC.
Wednesday, September 12th
4:30 - 6:30 pm Startup financing and capital distribution, with Benoît Bergeret
With broad availability of capital funding in the region, and specific local tax and legal environments, what are the options offered to a European business incorporating or relocating in the Bay Area? The presentation will cover capital sources, most frequent deal terms, stock spread, and strategies for maximizing the efficiency of capital as a growth tool.
7:00 - 9:00 pm Intercultural management, with Carolyn Feuille
A main critical non-technical factor for your success in the USA must be added to your business development: your cultural competence. Why? Without cultural competence to lead people different from you and manage in the American business context your dreams and hard work could be in vain. In the Cultural Management learning session, you will discover what critical success factors have enabled many foreign-born entrepreneurs to "make it" in the U.S.
Wednesday, September 19th
4:30 - 6:30 pm : Entrepreneurship experience, with Vincent Paquet
Entrepreneurship experience: notes from the field. Vincent Paquet will share his experience and insights on startup life, and why it's always the best time to start a new business.
7:00 - 9:00 pm Oral Presentation, with Valérie Zeller, Roy Terry & Marie Perruchet
Now you have your pitch. It’s clear and concise. How to deliver it in a variety of situations with passion and charisma? How to use it to start a conversation? With this workshop, take the chance to practice with 1-to-1 and full group feedback to identify and enhance your strongest parts, and minimize weaker parts. Owning your pitch gives you ultimate flexibility to customize and connect powerfully. Our safe and comfortable group-feedback method will enable each participant to test directly the effectiveness of their message and delivery and to make instant changes and improvements. Each participant will be video-recorded.
Wednesday, October 3rd
4:30 - 6:30 pm Legal tool box, with Eve Chaurand-Fraser & François Laugier
Veteran Corporate attorneys will present you with tips, tricks and street fighting techniques that will help you avoid costly legal mistakes and keep your lawyer's fees under control.
7:00 - 9:00 pm Angel and VC environment in Silicon Valley, with Nicolas El Baze
