Our process starts with a screening of an applicant by a small screening team to perform the activities listed below.
Verify that applicant fits our criteria for being a start-up in the energy industry
Assess maturity level of applicant in the areas below:
> Technical
> Commercial - What is the value proposition?
> Strategic
> Managerial
> Financial
> Motivational - Is applicant coachable?
All applicants will be provided feedback on their presentation
Applicants who pass the initial screening will be assigned a temporary mentor(s)
The temporary mentor will work with the client to prepare a Lean Canvas for the start-up’s business with a focus on the value proposition for the customer and the value proposition for the client (i.e., how are they going to make money). The temporary mentor and client will develop a mentoring plan.
Once the temporary mentor(s) is satisfied with the progress, the client will be asked to present to the extended group of mentors and subject matter experts to receive additional feedback and to identify a lead mentor(s) and SME(s).
The client will then be ready to enter the GEM process shown below.
The lead mentor(s) and SME(s) will work with the start-up to follow through with the established mentoring plan. The lead mentor will be the start-up teams liaison with the larger mentor group which will be assembled at various times to provide input on the start-up’s value proposition, business plan and presentation.
Mentoring activity will cover the business planning and development activities listed below.
Clarify, quantify and validate value proposition
Understand competitive advantage of the value proposition
Develop and field test of underlying technology, software, or methodology
Plan for protection of intellectual property
Identify and segment target market
Validate start-up and operating cost assumptions
Validate pricing assumptions
Develop financial model
Develop Go-To Market Plan including getting first adopter who will be reference customer
Facilitate introduction to potential customers
Facilitate introduction to potential sources of start-up and operating financing
Update the pitch book presentation as needed
