Date and time: June 12, 9:00-1:00, June 19, 9:00-1:00, June 26, 9:00-11:30

Location: QNC 1201, Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre, University of Waterloo

Please contact Monica Dey to register. The registration deadline is May 1, 2015.

This workshop will seek to integrate most of the professional skills and knowledge that students have been exposed to in CryptoWorks21, and also connect it with their research.

The aim of this workshop will be to demonstrate advanced skill/knowledge in the professional skills part of CryptoWorks21, with a particular focus on entrepreneurship and commercialization. This is intended for students and postdocs who have already completed novice-level course in entrepreneurship and commercialization, and most of the other professional skills topics.

This 3-part workshop will be offered by the Conrad Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology Centre.

Abstract:

Entrepreneurs and researchers contemplate a series of untested hypotheses; the business model
canvas summarizes these hypotheses and creates a diagram on how an individual or company can
create value for themselves and for their customers. Through the Lean Launchpad approach,
students are able to identify and validate problems to arrive at executable research or a
commercialization solution.

‘Commercialization’ is the ability to develop and monetize a product or service that delivers
value to customers. An entrepreneur talks with customers to iterate product development,
determines the pivots necessary for the business to succeed and secures the required resources for
the commercialized product to go to market. This may be accomplished through licensing the
technology and/or by establishing a business. The approach can be applied to a researcher in their
process of identifying a problem, conducting primary and secondary research to arrive upon a
conclusion that ultimately becomes a product for an academic publication.

By the end of the workshop, students will be able to identify and apply core concepts in
entrepreneurship to a new venture or to their academic research. By going through the customer
development process, students will validate and iterate their ideas. Students should be able to
generate their own (from past projects and/or research) lean canvas and effectively present their
idea or research in a 3-minute pitch.

Intended Learning Outcomes:

• Define the lean canvas and explain its purpose.
• Distinguish and summarize the difference between the product and market, understand
  their fit and articulate the definition of: key metrics, unique value proposition, unfair
  advantage, channels, customer segments, cost structure and revenue streams.
• Construct customer profiles; engage in customer development and product market
  validation for an academic project or new venture.
• Summarize how to apply the lean Launchpad method for academic purposes.
• Assemble a pitch and be able to effectively present and articulate their business idea or
  research project clearly.
• Provide alternative views to expand and support their research and testing.