The digital revolution has created a generation of bedroom entrepreneurs able to rapidly turn ideas into apps, and put them in front of millions of customers almost instantly. Agile development culture has transformed business, and led to a slew of disruptive products, services and tools that have seen startups taking on – and taking down – established players in industries as diverse as media and publishing, insurance, music distribution, banking, retail and education.
If you've got an idea for the next big website or app, and want to know the key steps to turning it into a reality, this one-day seminar will help you hit the ground sprinting. As well as insights into market research, branding and working with developers, you'll get candid and direct advice from veterans of the UK startup scene – the people who have been there and know what the pitfalls are.
Whether your ambition is to launch the next Facebook or simply to support a niche community, this masterclass will give you the skills toolkit you need to create a viable and thriving digital business.
This course is for you if...
- You have an idea for a digital business, and want an overview of how to take it from the drawing board to the board room
- You're a technical founder or CTO who wants to know more about the business and marketing side of running a startup
- You're a business-minded founder who wants to know how to work with developers to create a product that you can put in front of your users
Course description
Mixing presentations and open Q&A discussions, this large-scale seminar offers a series of different takes on launching a successful digital startup. Attendees will get unique insights into the challenges involved, and detailed advice on how to turn their idea into a reality. Topics covered will include:
- Finding product/market fit for your product
- Funding, finance and tracking the numbers
- Branding and marketing
- How to work with developers
- The realities of working on a startup
Tutor profiles
The day will be hosted by Alan Rutter, a journalist, digital consultant and trainer. He oversaw the iPad edition launches of Wired, GQ, Vanity Fair and Vogue in the UK, and has been working with Condé Nast International on developing a digital asset management system for their 11 global markets. Alan also works with Guardian Masterclasses on curating new course strands, including the startups and business courses. Previously, Alan was online editor at Time Out, having also worked as acting deputy editor and features editor on the magazine. He has over 10 years' previous experience of working for magazines, both online and in print. Alan is one half of Clever Boxer and co-author of Launching a Creative Startup: A 60-Minute Masterclass published by Guardian Shorts. Read more about Alan on his website.
Pip Jamieson is founder and CEO of The Dots, an online community of creative professionals launching in September 2014. A passionate entrepreneur, Pip started her career working on the Brit Awards before moving to MTV, where she spent six glorious years working in a number of roles around the world. In 2009 she co-founded professional creative community The Loop, one of the leading networking and recruitment site for creatives in Australia.
Rik Lomas is a freelance coder, teacher and startup advisor. He was recently chief product officer at Picfair, and was a co-founder of Steer and a founding team member of VoucherCodes.co.uk. He has spoken at TEDx Madrid, Glug London and Design+Banter, taught for General Assembly and Shoreditch House, and produced code for clients including Orange and Sony.
Rich Brown is a leading light in London's startup scene, as co-founder of "I know this great little place...", a community of more than half a million people sharing their hidden gems in over 20 markets. He's also held the lead product role at the Richard Branson backed startup Untap.it, helping people find their potential, and at The Amazings, enabling people to learn from elders. He instructs Product Management at General Assembly, and has consulted widely in user experience across high profile projects including Prince Harry's Invictus Games. Rich has also held senior roles in client service in some of the world's leading advertising agencies, including Anomaly, Fallon, Wieden & Kennedy and Y&R, across brands like Sony, Virgin Atlantic, BBC, The Times & Sunday Times and Nike.
Book now
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Details
Date: Saturday 18 October 2014
Times: 10am-4pm
Location: The Guardian, 90 York Way, King's Cross, London N1 9GU
Price: £99 (includes VAT, booking fee, lunch and refreshments)
Event capacity: 100
Dress code: There is no dress code for Masterclasses. Please dress however you feel comfortable.
To contact us, click here. Terms and conditions can be found here.
Returns policy
Tickets may be refunded if you contact us at least 7 days before the course start date. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.
