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A collection of a few resources that can help you manage your fledgling enterprise…

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Stuff that can help you

Starting a startup is a task in itself, isn’t it? There is so much to do, and so much to learn, that it can be quite an intimidating experience. You may have the idea, but you need help putting it together. Once done, there are legalities, finances and building a team…that’s just the start. 

Well, we have, in our own little way, tried to help. This page will be a growing curation of resources, that we hope you find useful. And if you have some, DO SHARE!

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The DIFC is set to undergo significant expansion and plans to use the additional space to construct more office and creative spaces, residences, retail spaces, and entertainment. That’s 13 million square feet of space dedicated to the pursuit of fintech and innovation and designed to accommodate the needs of professionals from around the world.
 
Starting a Startup – by Sam Altman – a series of 20 classes from the experts who built multiple companies in the early days of Silicon Vally, including lectures by Peter Thiel and Paul Graham.
 
Other Resources

Startup School – by Y Combinator – an incubator that needs no introduction, Startup School brings to you a series of 20 videos from  experts like Kevin Hale, Michael Seibel and Adora Cheung, covering topics such as planning MVPs, setting KPIs and startup funding. Also has links to related presentation slides. Binge watching recommended! 

Business Model Canvas– by the University system of Georgia- This project-centered course is designed for anyone who wants to understand innovation best practices and the intra-corporate entrepreneurial skills needed to lead innovation projects, teams, and strategies. 

Startup India – by the Government of India – Startup India is a government-led initiative for building a flourishing startup ecosystem in India. A series of free online tutorials covering web development, programming, finance, Artificial Intelligence and even soft skills. A good course set to look though.

Becoming an Entrepreneur– by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology – A six-week course from a university that needs no introduction. Features a combination of video and exercises, covering goal setting, product design and pitching to investors. Go for it!

Entrepreneurial Finance– by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology – A superb course on funding your startup, from the same  university (that needs no introduction!). Also has a class on Private Equity. Entrepreneurs looking for funding should have a look at this courseware. 

Entrepreneurship Specialisation– by the Wharton School – Wharton’s Entrepreneurship Specialization covers the conception, design, organization, and management of new enterprises. This five-course series is designed to take you from opportunity identification through launch, growth, financing and profitability.

PE and VC– by Università Bocconi  – Over the course, you will be understand how to be successful in raising funding from Private Equity and Venture Capital firms. An inside look. 

 

Branding, content and social media

This course from Ohio State University will help you figure out the basics of your online and digital media strategies. It covers guest lectures, case studies and a lot of useful documentation. 

Some cool (and informative) infographics

Want to write a great business plan?

This course helps you navigate the rocky road of preparing your own business plan – creating something that goes mere fluff, and actually makes sense. Taught by lecturers from Sloan School of Management, it comprises four sessions, with lecture notes and presentations. And, like the other resources on this page, it is ABSOLUTELY FREE!

Click to access the Nuts and Bolts of Business Plans

 

Ideas are good...but getting funding is better!

Most startups don’t fail because they ran out of ideas, they fail because they ran out of money…

Money makes the world go round, and pays the bills of your startup. Unless you are Elon Musk (who by the way did borrow money too), you need funding. And multiple rounds of them. Learn the basic terminology of startup funding (pre-money, post-money, a lot of money) and valuations, so that you aren’t caught unawares and lose control of your company after being diluted to eternity. Or worse.

And get in touch should you need more information, or just have a coffee to discuss!

A short look at funding terminology. Watch this space for more resources on funding, including a free course that will help you navigate the big (not bad) world of startup funding. 

Don’t forget to exercise!

A lot of funding, thousands of customers, happy, smiling employees, are all possible if you work hard, and have a bit of luck as well. But exercise can make a huge difference too – studies show that good exercise can increase brain activity and help you get funded much faster…Ok, not the latter, but it helps you stay sharp, and a sharp brain has better ideas.

So, EXERCISE.