Leading Edge: Business Planning for Startups - 8 Week Series

What Is It?

The LEADING EDGE Strategic Planning Series makes you an active participant in a program designed for (and with) entrepreneurs just like you. Facilitators and subject matter experts are knowledgeable entrepreneurs and specialists who are attuned to the issues you will face every day. Thoughtful, insightful—and above, all practical—the series covers all aspects of startup business planning for success.

VIDEO: Prior attendees share their experience

The LEADING EDGE™ Strategic Planning Series is a hands-on, step-by-step strategic business planning program for early-stage businesses across any industry. Through this 8-week series—with expert help all along the way—you will test the feasibility of your startup, solidify your business model, and build a road map in LivePlan. You will finish the series with an actionable, strategic business plan to use as a blueprint to manage your business or to access potential financing.

Who Is It For?

LEADING EDGE is for business owners and entrepreneurs launching a new business who desire focused education and planning, accountability, networking, and the tools to build a strategic business plan to establish a successful company.

This particular course is designed to help Western Slope business owners navigate the unique challenges and opportunities of doing business across rural Colorado.

What To Expect:

• Access to an online course library of 8 videos to watch On Demand each week, taught by subject matter experts that cover each piece of a business plan
• Free 4 month subscription to LivePlan ($160 value) to create and develop your business plan throughout the 8 week course, applying the concepts from the instructional videos
• Eight 1-hr open forums hosted each week for you to ask questions to the subject matter experts, and participate in live discussions as a cohort of business owners
• Individual consulting sessions with a subject matter expert to provide continuous feedback on your business plan and strategy throughout the course

The LivePlan business planning software platform simplifies common challenges of traditional business planning templates. Participants will incorporate expert instruction, consulting, and cohort feedback with the intuitive functionality of LivePlan to develop a business plan they can confidently present to a lender or investor and use to guide their business.

Financial assistance and scholarships are available. Please email danise@northwestsbdc.org for more information.