CED has a proven track record in supporting companies at the most critical time. Our outcomes are based on our ability to deliver effective education while engaging a powerful network of experts to assist along the way. GRO leverages a network of experts CED has cultivated over the years to help your venture take off. Cohort companies will attend weekly classes delivered by top-notch speakers, receive 1:1 coaching from industry leaders and entrepreneurs, and complete assignments to help launch their venture.
“I can sum it up in three letters. WOW! GRO was the best spent weeks in the life of Active Defender.” – Jim Boyte, Active Defender Founder/CEO
12 Weeks | 24 Sessions | A game-changing experience
The secret sauce to our success is the culmination of forty years of expertise held within the CED Network. These are coaches, successful entrepreneurs, and domain experts dedicated to giving back and paying it forward to early entrepreneurs just starting their journey. In a sense, the CED Alumni Network reengaged to teach, share and support the incoming freshman class. And there is no one else in North Carolina better positioned to bring together this experience.
“Our coach was incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. He dispensed his advice and suggestions in a professional yet caring manner, leading us to make discoveries by guiding our thought process.” – Dominique & Serge Mouthon, Clever Education Solutions
what to expect
Each cohort will have a maximum of 15 companies in order to create an effective learning environment and promote cohesion among participants. The cohorts meet for two sessions each week. The first session delivers the content for a week in an interactive format by subject matter experts. The second session is a working session where content is applied to each venture in tandem with their matched coaches. Group share is prioritized weekly to promote healthy feedback and build on strengthening relationships within the cohort of companies.
| Tech Company Curriculum | Life Science Curriculum | |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | The Importance of Customer Discovery | De-Risking a Life Science Startup |
| Week 2 | Using a Business Model Canvas | Doing Effective Customer Discovery |
| Week 3 | Getting your First Customers and What is Organic Growth | Documenting Assumptions – Business Model Canvas |
| Week 4 | Crafting an Effective Investor Pitch | Understanding Non-dilutive funding |
| Week 5 | What is Product-Market Fit? | Building an Intellectual Property Strategy |
| Week 6 | Managing the Business — Cash Management | Designing a Regulatory Strategy |
| Week 7 | Growing Your Customer Base | Managing the Business – Cash Management |
| Week 8 | Building a repeatable Business Model | Building an Effective Investor Story & Pitch Deck |
| Week 9 | Open Session | Open Session |
| Week 10 | Understanding the Support You Need to Cross the Finish Line | Understanding the Support You Need to Cross the Finish Line |
| Week 11 | Wrap-up & Pitch Scrubs | Wrap-up & Pitch Scrubs |
| Week 12 | Demo Day | Demo Day |
apply and application dates/deadlines
Choosing the best investment for your company at such a critical juncture is never an easy decision. We also believe you should own all of your company, so we don’t ask for equity. What we do ask for is that you be committed to the program wholly, and prioritize the work. Your investment is $950*, which includes access to the knowledge you need, entrepreneurs who will be long-term supporters and the coaches you need to make progress.
Applications for our July Tech cohort are now open and will be accepted through June 17. Companies will be notified by June 25. Classes will start the week of July 11. This cohort is sponsored by Lenovo.