Funding a Business Course – Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative

Overview

In our Funding a Business Course, we guide you through a hands-on process for evaluating funding alternatives, presenting to potential funders and navigating a funding process. This course is 12-weeks long and is well suited for entrepreneurs looking to raise funding for a business with social impact.

What You Will Learn

Unit	Topics Covered
Introduction	Explore your relationship with money and how it can impact your perception of raising money for the business Discuss why it is important to get outside funding and what you need to have in place to begin raising funds Assess your current business, business plan, and emotional readiness for funding
Funding Needs	Review and update your current financial forecast to determine realistic funding needs and use of proceeds Learn how to present your financial forecast and funding needs in a concise way Update your business plan to describe the key assumptions of your financial forecast and funding needs
Understanding the Process & Key Terms	Learn about different funding alternatives and funders’ processes, timelines, and key terms Identify funding alternative(s) that are aligned with the purpose, values, and funding needs of your business Develop a plan for raising money and update financial forecast to reflect funding alternative(s)
Identify Potential Funders	Identify potential funders to reach out to and build a potential funder prospect list Understand how to reach out to and build relationships with potential funders Conduct informational interviews with a couple of potential funders to understand their processes
Due Diligence	Gain an understanding of how funders perform due diligence on potential funding opportunities Learn how to produce due diligence documentation, organize a due diligence dataroom, and manage due diligence requests Establish a due diligence dataroom
Executive Summaries & Online Profiles	Learn how to summarize your funding opportunity in a one-page executive summary for potential funders Learn about online platforms for listing your funding opportunity, and identify platforms your business should create a profile on Create your executive summary and online profiles
Begin the Funding Process	Prepare application, online profile, or other documentation to begin the funding process Draft and get feedback on your funding application, online profile, or other documentation Begin the funding process by submitting your funding application, online profile, or other documentation
Storytelling	Gain an understanding of the key elements of a presentation to potential funders Learn how to craft a story to capture the attention of potential funders Develop a funding pitch for your specific funding source
Pitching	Learn how to pitch the business to potential funders Identify key questions that may arise when pitching to potential funders Hold a practice pitch and receive feedback from an advisor
Networking	Learn how to use networking events to increase your business’ visibility and enhance fundraising efforts Learn how to initiate conversations and begin cultivating relationships through networking events Present your business at our entrepreneur networking event
Managing the Funds	Gain an understanding of how to manage funds received from funders and create reserves to cover payments to funders Create a plan for managing cash flow after funding Discuss how to evaluate and access the next round of funding
Final Presentations	Present your funding pitch and progress to your peers and mentors Receive constructive feedback from your peers and mentors to refine your fundraising process

Prerequisites

Must be making sales to customers or have letters of intent for sales to potential customers, have a basic website and social media for your business, and have an up-to-date business plan.

Commit to Building Your Business

Average time commitment for our Funding a Business Course is 10 hours / week dedicated to building your business, and includes the following weekly activities:

Title	Weekly  Activity	Weekly Commitment
Background Materials	Series of required background readings and videos on each unit to be completed online prior to the weekly workshop sessions Describes concepts and their applications in developing a business	1-2 hours / week
Workshops	Weekly workshop sessions led by an expert instructor Lecture and discussion on background materials, group activities, and reflection	3 hours / week
Business Development Activities	Weekly activities focused on your business development Apply concepts learned in background materials and workshops	2-10 hours / week
Peer Mentoring	Weekly video conference with small peer group of other entrepreneurs in your course Present weekly business development activities and receive constructive feedback from peers	1 hour / week
One-on-one Mentoring	Weekly one-on-one meetings with your mentor Discuss business progress, review weekly business development activity, and connect with resources to meet business needs	30 minutes / week

Meet Your Mentors

Apply for Our Entrepreneur Academy

To take our Funding a Business Course, you must be enrolled in our Entrepreneur Academy.

Our Entrepreneur Academy is a year-long entrepreneurship certificate program to support small business owners in creating plans, improving operations, accessing capital, and developing leadership capabilities to build resilient businesses with social impact.

Learn More About Our Entrepreneur Academy

Apply for Our Entrepreneur Academy