Your Pre-Launch Toolkit
Before diving into venture building, let's get you equipped with the right resources and mindset. Think of this as your preparation checklist – because good preparation often makes the difference between projects that flourish and those that struggle.
Three-Phase Preparation Journey
We've found that students who follow this preparation approach feel more confident and perform better throughout their venture building experience. Each phase builds on the previous one.
Knowledge Foundation
Start building your understanding two months before your program begins. This isn't about becoming an expert – it's about familiarizing yourself with key concepts so you're not completely lost on day one.
- Read "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries (classic for good reason)
- Watch three TED talks about venture building or entrepreneurship
- Browse recent issues of Harvard Business Review online
- Follow two venture capital firms on LinkedIn for industry insights
- Set up Google Alerts for "venture building" and "startup ecosystem"
Tools & Environment Setup
Getting your digital workspace organized might seem mundane, but you'll thank yourself later when you're not scrambling to set up accounts during intensive project work. Plus, some of these tools have learning curves.
- Create accounts on collaboration platforms (Slack, Miro, Notion)
- Organize a dedicated folder system for venture documents
- Download financial modeling templates from reputable sources
- Test your video conferencing setup and backup options
- Clear physical and digital workspace for focused work sessions
Mindset & Network Preparation
The mental aspect often gets overlooked, but venture building can be intense. Having the right mindset and support network makes a huge difference in how you handle challenges and setbacks.
- Connect with local entrepreneur meetups or online communities
- Practice explaining business concepts to friends or family
- Identify your personal learning style and preferences
- Set realistic expectations about the time commitment required
- Arrange backup support for personal responsibilities during intensive periods
Essential Digital Arsenal
These aren't just random recommendations – they're tools our successful alumni consistently mention as game-changers during their venture building journey.
Miro (Collaboration)
Digital whiteboarding becomes essential when you're mapping customer journeys or brainstorming with team members. The free version handles most student needs, though you might want to upgrade later.
Notion (Documentation)
Half the battle in venture building is keeping track of your research, decisions, and pivots. Notion's flexibility lets you create custom databases for market research and competitor analysis.
Google Workspace
Beyond basic docs and sheets, Google Forms becomes invaluable for customer surveys. The real-time collaboration features save hours during group projects.
Canva Pro
You'll need to create pitch decks, social media mockups, and basic marketing materials. Canva's templates specifically for startups can make you look surprisingly professional.
Zoom + Backup
Have a reliable video setup plus a backup option (Teams, Google Meet). You'll be doing customer interviews and team meetings – technical difficulties kill momentum.
Airtable
When you're tracking potential customers, partners, or investors, spreadsheets get messy fast. Airtable bridges the gap between simple sheets and complex databases.
You're Not Going Solo
Prudence Chen
Program Support Coordinator
- Weekly check-ins during your first month to address any setup issues or concerns
- Access to our private Slack community where current students and alumni share resources
- Monthly "office hours" sessions for technical questions about tools and platforms
- Direct email support for urgent preparation questions (response within 24 hours)
- Resource sharing library with templates, guides, and recommended reading lists