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Previous installments have described how customer discovery helps the entrepreneur develop a well-defined value proposition and business model. Today, we explore the critical enabler of effective customer interviews. Meaningful information is generated from about 30 interviews in our experience with numerous teams. The National Science Foundation’s I-Corps program, in examining hundreds of teams, finds that […]

U.S. Department of State selects Devin Collins as U.S. mentor in International Entrepreneurial Program CHARLOTTE, NC- May 30, 2018- Ventureprise Associate Director Devin Collins will attend the U.S. Department of State’s 2018 Young Transatlantic Innovative Leaders Initiative (YTILI) Opening Summit in Portugal as a U.S. mentor on June 4th. Collins was selected for a second […]

Ventureprise Launch Alumnus featured in StartCharlotte This for-profit, for-purpose platform is out to improve economic mobility in Charlotte You’ve undoubtedly driven past a Home Depot and seen scores of day laborers waiting to be hired for a project. At the same time, 84 percent of contractors in North Carolina report difficulty finding skilled labor for […]

The most important work of the startup entrepreneur is to discover the value proposition that connects your company to your customers. Without this understanding, the startup will struggle to generate revenue and, if not corrected, will fail as it burns through its available cash. Continue to article: http://startcharlotte.com/why-your-companys-value-proposition-isnt-what-you-think/

CHARLOTTE – Thirteen of Charlotte’s best early-stage startups were on stage at the 17th annual Charlotte Venture Challenge on Tuesday pitching in three categories, each with a cash prize at stake. From an employment platform to software, nanotechnology to a mobile app for tracking of alcohol abuse, the entrepreneurs put on a show. Full Coverage

49er iChallenge Finalists to Compete at Charlotte Venture Challenge https://inside.charlotte.edu/news-features/2018-04-16/49er-ichallenge-finalists-compe…

17th annual event will feature 13 finalists to compete in three categories CHARLOTTE, NC- April 16, 2018- On May 1st, the Charlotte Venture Challenge will be held at the UNC Charlotte Center City building beginning at 4pm and feature 13 innovative startup finalists and award over $15,000 in cash awards. This year’s event will introduce […]

Ventureprise Executive Director Paul Wetenhall Continues Customer Discovery Series with StartCharlotte.com http://startcharlotte.com/why-the-last-place-an-entrepreneur-should-be-is-at-a-d…

Franz Kellermanns, the Addison H. and Gertrude C. Reese Endowed Chair in International Business, is among the leading scholars worldwide in entrepreneurship, according to the Journal of Small Business Management. In the article “Contributing Forces in Entrepreneurship Research: A Global Citation Analysis,” the journal ranked the top entrepreneurship scholars globally. Kellermanns is the only scholar […]

Charlotte Venture Challenge application is now open for Ventureprise Launch alumni and participants. This year we will be hosting the 17th annual Charlotte Venture Challenge on May 1st at UNC Charlotte Center City in uptown Charlotte. The event will focus on companies that have participated in the Ventureprise Launch program, highlighting these innovation based ventures […]

Ventureprise Executive Director, Paul Wetenhall, will be featured in StartCharlotte, through his series on customer discovery. Every startup is in a race to earn customer revenue before investor cash runs out. Rookie entrepreneurs think that is simply a sales challenge. Experienced entrepreneurs know that successful customer development begins by listening, not selling. This customer development […]

49er iChallenge Information Session Monday, February 26th 6:30pm Ventureprise will be hosting an information session to provide an overview of the 49er iChallenge, focusing on the application process and preparation for the competition. The 49er iChallenge, a pitch competition featuring UNC Charlotte students, will take place on April 3rd. The winner will be awarded a […]

Ventureprise was awarded an NC IDEA ecosystem grant to bring the Ventureprise Launch customer discovery program to early-stage, innovation-driven startups in Charlotte and western North Carolina. The curriculum takes early stage entrepreneurs through customer discovery and business model generation activities modeled after the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (NSF I-Corps). Ventureprise operates a NSF I-Corps […]