MATTHEW SPURR’s Post

Exciting Entrepreneurship Trek Experience on the East Coast Last month, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in an entrepreneurship trek spanning Maryland, D.C., and New York, organized by Johns Hopkins Innovative Lab Fast ForwardU, and The Johns Hopkins University - Carey Business School. It was a whirlwind adventure filled with learning, networking, and exploration, and I'm thrilled to share three key takeaways from this unforgettable experience: 1️⃣ The Week of Intensive Learning: One of the highlights of the trek was the week-long series of classes where we delved into the 📕 "The Hard Thing About Hard Things." This captivating read provided invaluable insights into the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, making it a must-read for anyone venturing into the startup world. 2️⃣ Invaluable Networking Opportunities: Networking opportunities abounded throughout the trek, connecting with Hopkins alumni, venture capitalists, and students from diverse disciplines. These interactions not only expanded my professional network but also provided inspiration and mentorship from seasoned industry professionals. 3️⃣ Exploring the East Coast: Beyond the classroom and boardroom, the trek offered the chance to explore the rich history and vibrant culture of the East Coast. From walking the streets of New York City to visiting iconic landmarks, each moment was a lesson in history and inspiration. I am immensely grateful to the organizers, particularly the Johns Hopkins Innovative Lab, Fast ForwardU and The Johns Hopkins University - Carey Business School, for orchestrating such a transformative experience. Their dedication and vision created a platform for growth, learning, and unforgettable memories. Here's to the power of entrepreneurship, lifelong connections, and the spirit of exploration! 👏👏 Cheers to the memories made, lessons learned, and connections forged during this entrepreneurship trek! 🌟 #Entrepreneurship #EastCoastTrek #Networking #LearningExperience #Gratitude 🌟

To every entrepreneurial student who's not doing anything entrepreneurial: you don't need more "experience under your belt". How do I know? Because over the past few weeks, I've watched tons of our students in Catalyst XL's Cohort 4 come up with new startup ideas, build websites and MVPs, and start the process of going from 0 to 1. And I've seen others already start working at early-stage startups. We know the truth that nobody talks about: students aren't building things because our universities don't tell us how. They want us to secure steady jobs at big companies so that we can boost their statistics. But it turns out that in only 4 weeks, you can give students everything they need to become real players in the world of startups. That doesn't just mean education; that means community. Our students are constantly setting up meetings with each other, collaborating on projects, learning from each other, and boosting each other towards their goals. I'm beyond inspired and grateful to all the students participating in our latest Cohort. Thank you for the time and effort you put in each day. And for those not in the program, applications for Cohort 5 recently opened up. Feel free to check us out with the link in the comments. #collegestudents #university #career #entrepreneurship #startups #venture

Announcement: I'm excited to share that I am launching a cohort-based course on Maven about Entrepreneurship and Startup Operations 🚀 This new course will launch in spring 2025. Please register your interest here to be notified when registration opens: https://lnkd.in/eHXT4Ppj 👉 Course Details This course is designed to empower aspiring entrepreneurs, early-stage startup employees, and young operators with the critical skills and strategies needed to build and scale successful ventures. The ideal profile has 1-3 years of relevant work experience within relevant spaces (e.g., tech, startup, VC). This comprehensive program will take you on a dynamic journey. From ideation and business planning to team-building, fundraising, and navigating complex market challenges, you'll gain an unparalleled toolkit to transform your entrepreneurial dreams into reality. 👉 Course Overview I'm still putting final touches on the topics and I will adapt the course plan based on the needs of participants, so please let me know what topics you're most interested in covering. Some potential areas we could explore include: - Startup Ideation and Validation: Conduct insightful research, build low-cost MVPs, and quickly assess the viability of your ideas - Business Planning Essentials: Craft a compelling business plan and pitch deck to attract top talent and investors - High-Performing Team Building: Develop strategies for assembling and leading exceptional, cohesive startup teams - Funding Strategies: Exploring diverse funding options - Operational Excellence: Put robust systems and structures in place to drive efficiency, scalability, and resilience The course will feature a blend of live instruction, community discussions, a case study, and self-paced learning materials - empowering you to learn at your own pace while benefiting from personalized guidance and accountability. 👉 Course Dates  This course will launch in Spring 2025. To be among the first to know when registration opens and to secure an early bird discount, add your name to the waitlist today! I'm incredibly excited to build this course alongside a community of passionate, like-minded doers. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to reach out. I can't wait to connect with you on this entrepreneurial journey! #maven #hungrytolearn #entrepreneurship #businessoperations #tech

Registration has officially launched for Cohort Two of Oregon Entrepreneurs Network's virtual entrepreneurial programs! STARTUP BUSINESS ESSENTIALS SERIES Monday's, August 5th - September 16th This is a five week virtual program covering topics like Business Entity Structure, Developing a Healthy Financial Structure, and Funding Your Company. ANGEL OREGON TECHNOLOGY Tuesdays, August 20th - September 17th Three-week investment-readiness education series and pitch practice for technology startups at any stage of development. Early stage companies ready for dilutive capital investment may apply to this program. The investment opportunity will be open and finalized during the Fall cohort. OREGON ANGEL FOOD Wednesdays, August 21st - September 18th Three-week investment-readiness education series for food and beverage startups at any stage of development. ANGEL OREGON LIFE & BIOSCIENCE Thursdays, August 22nd - September 19th Three-week investment-readiness education series for life and bioscience startups at any stage of development. Early stage companies ready for dilutive capital investment may apply to this program. The investment opportunity will be open and finalized during the Fall cohort. Individuals who participate in the Startup Business Essentials Series will receive a $25 discount on Angel Oregon programming. Find out more and register at oen.org/programs

College students: "I'll start a business when I've spent a few years building capital and getting experience at a big company." Nope, you won't. It turns out experience in corporate almost never translates to entrepreneurial skills. And that's because the two professions couldn't be more different. In corporate, you're plugging into an existing system. In entrepreneurship, you're building a new one from absolutely nothing. And the only way to gain that skill of building is by actually building. Not by doing what your boss says for 5 years. So what should entrepreneurial students do? They should get a head start by working on their own ideas ASAP. And I should mention that we built Catalyst XL to help them do exactly that. Except it's risk-free, only takes 4 weeks, and connects them with a bunch of other students and mentors doing the same thing. Link is below for anyone curious. #collegestudents #universiy #CS #computerscience #programming #SWE #techjobs #entrepreneurship #startups #tech #venture #accelerator

Join us Virtually - Thursday, March 21 • 6:00pm - 7:00pm As part of Invent Penn State Start Up Week, we will be offering SMART Goals for Start Ups. Crafting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals is not just a choice but a necessity for startups embarking on their journey toward success. In today's fiercely competitive landscape, startups need a strategic roadmap to navigate challenges and seize opportunities effectively. By embracing SMART goals, startups gain a powerful tool to propel their growth trajectory with precision and purpose. These goals instill clarity, ensuring every team member understands their role in achieving the company's objectives. With measurable benchmarks, startups can track progress, identify areas for improvement, and celebrate milestones. Moreover, setting achievable and relevant goals keeps teams motivated and aligned with the startup's overarching vision. Time-bound goals inject a sense of urgency, driving momentum and accountability throughout the organization. Embracing SMART goals isn't just a strategy; it's the cornerstone of startup success, empowering entrepreneurs to turn aspirations into tangible achievements and propel their ventures to new heights. Join Invent Penn State and the Eastern Pennsylvania Region LaunchBoxes, a consortium of Scranton, Hazleton, Wilkes-Barre, Schuylkill and Lehigh Valley. Register here: : https://lnkd.in/e_ZFEwFT Speaker: Frank Sorokach Assistant Teaching Professor, Business, Penn State University Frank M. Sorokach is a business owner, entrepreneur, educator, and speaker. He is focused on applying new concepts, systems, and technologies to improve business strategies, tactics, and processes. This includes the integration of not only technology but also new management theory his includes the integration of not only technology but also new management theory. Frank has been a faculty member at Penn State University since 2012 and has taught in higher education for over 15 years with several different institutions. Over that time, he has taught in various disciplines, including business, economics, marketing, project management, and technology.

Why make a final year project when you can create a final year product? 💡 Imagine graduating with more than a degree – a product, a startup, a future! Here’s why you should turn your project into a product: ➜ Projects get you grades. ➜ Products solve real-world problems and create impact. Why build a product? ➜ To turn your skills into something marketable. ➜ To launch your entrepreneurial journey right out of university. ➜ To gain real-world experience that textbooks can’t teach. It’s not just about passing one course ↳ It’s about creating something with the potential to change lives. Your final year product could be your first step towards being a founder, an innovator, a game-changer. Imagine a world where student ideas become startups – let’s make it happen! 🌟 P.S. What idea would you turn into a final year product? Come DM Let’s Discuss.

Warning: We can’t promise success (even our own lol), but we can promise laughs and some solid advice. Check out our blog! 😂

7:48 PM Hello connections, I am so excited to share my journey from ideation to implementation in the Entrepreneurship Development Program at JECRC Incubation Centre! I'm passionate about leveraging technology to solve real-world problems and drive innovation and honing my skills in entrepreneurship. 1. Working closely with budding entrepreneurs, I learned invaluable lessons about idea validation, market research, and business model development. I was constantly inspired by the passion and motivated to push the boundaries of what's possible. 2. I actively participated in entrepreneurship workshops, seminars, and networking. These experiences not only expanded my knowledge but also allowed me to connect with industry experts, mentors, and fellow entrepreneurs who shared valuable insights and advice. 3. One of the most rewarding moments of my entrepreneurship journey was witnessing the growth and success of startups that originated from our university ecosystem. Seeing ideas evolve into viable businesses and making a tangible impact on society reinforced my belief in the power of entrepreneurship to drive positive change. 4. As I continue my journey at JECRC University, I am excited to further explore the intersection of technology and entrepreneurship, contribute to the vibrant entrepreneurial community, and leverage my skills and experiences to make a difference in the world. What I've learned till now includes: 1. From diving into Design Thinking for innovative ideation to understanding the intricacies of Patent Filing and trademarking, the journey has been enlightening. 2. Learning about Intellectual Property Rights and the significance of protecting ideas has been a game-changer. Crafting a compelling pitch deck and delving into Marketing strategies has honed my entrepreneurial skills. * 3. Exploring Entrepreneurship Innovation and Corporate accelerators has opened up new horizons, while understanding Product Market Fit has been crucial for refining our offerings. 4. The phases of MVP and diving into No-Code tech