Entrepreneur Boot Camp FAQs

Who should attend Entrepreneur Boot Camp?
Early stage technology driven company teams who are working through positioning, market segmentation focus, financing strategy and/or building out the management team. Companies should be past the pure research stage and have at least one full-time person in the company and a team of two people to attend camp.

What stage of Business Plan preparation is required?
Typically, a team has completed a first draft of a business plan and is in the process of validating a market opportunity and refining their plan based on market feedback.

What other resources are available to assist me in preparing for Boot Camp?
SPARK provides reading materials, access to entrepreneurial events and on-line resources to assist entrepreneurs with their preparation.

The Ann Arbor SPARK Entrepreneur Library lends recommended books on the Boot Camp Reading List and has sample materials from prior Boot Camps that are available for teams wishing to get a head start on Boot Camp. SPARK also provides access to the Cantillon eCourse. This comprehensive training resource is relevant for technology entrepreneurs at any stage of business development. Cantillon is a on-line learning experience that allows entrepreneurs to gain an invaluable foundation for your business at your own pace. Any teams that have applied for Boot Camp are eligible for this service.

What deliverables will I develop as the result of attending Boot Camp?
The three deliverables developed as part of the education and mentoring from Boot Camp are Elevator Pitch, Executive Summary Draft, and Executive Overview Presentation. Our experience demonstrates that the process to create a compelling version of these deliverables improves the team's understanding of their market, customer benefits and competitive challenges to creating a successful company.

What is the Application process for Boot Camp?
Complete the application form.
Early application is encouraged as we accept only a limited number of teams.

What is the time commitment for Boot Camp?
Entrepreneur Boot Camp is an intensive two day education and mentoring experience.
Day 1 begins at 8 a.m. and is scheduled to 10 p.m.
Day 2 begins at 8 a.m. and is scheduled to 5 p.m.
Boot Campers commit to being present to all sessions as part of their Participation Agreement.

Will Boot Camp help me find funding sources?
The deliverables created and refined as the result of Boot Camp are the key introductions to any funding source. By communicating your story in a compelling way, you earn the right to present your opportunity to these sources. In addition to improving our pitch, our network of mentors and coaches often provide introductions to potential funding sources after the plan is refined and initial milestones are accomplished to demonstrate the market opportunity.

How will Boot Camp help me find investors?
Boot camp doesn't guarantee investors for Boot Camp graduates but does prepare the team for conversations with potential investors and improves your presentation materials such that you tell your story in a compelling way.

Will Boot Camp help me if I am not looking for investors?
Many opportunities do not require investor capital either because they are self funded by customers or they have Grant funding that is appropriate for their current stage of development. For these companies, the Boot Camp process provides the team the opportunity to focus on their thinking about their market niche, their competitors and how to position their product or service to attract customers, partners, and employees.

Where is Boot Camp?
Pre-camp and post camp events are held at SPARK Central, 330 E. Liberty, Lower Level in Ann Arbor.

Boot Camp is held at the Kensington Court, off State Street in Ann Arbor.

Do I have to live in Ann Arbor to attend Boot Camp?
Entrepreneur Boot Camp is hosted by Ann Arbor SPARK and the Ann Arbor SmartZone Business Accelerator. While Ann Arbor region companies will get preferred access to Boot Camp, applicants are accepted from teams in other communities.

Have previous Campers received funding and how many are successful today?
Past campers have raised capital from a variety of sources including Michigan Technology Tri-Corridor, angel investors and venture investors. Over 200 companies have attended Boot Camp. They have received over $22 million in grants and raised nearly $21 million of private equity. Additionally, many companies have either won or were the top finishers in business plan and elevator pitch competitions such as GLEQ/ACE.

What companies have attended Boot Camp, and have I heard of them?
Among prior attendees of Boot Camp are PolyTorx, Menlo Innovations, Airfoil, SensiGen, Biopolymer Innovations, Invia Solutions, ElectroJet, Virtual Reciprocity Ring, Compendia Bioscience, Comstar, Mindworks, and Onsite ERT.

Call 734.761.9317 to apply online.

 

The Entrepreneur Boot Camp is sponsored by Ann Arbor SPARK and funded by the LDFA.