The NAFI Process

Using the Business Model Canvas (BMC) as a framework we will explore techniques to help you describe:

Value Proposition

Customer Segmentation (i.e. Customer Discovery)

Channels

Customer relationships

Revenue Stream

Key Resources

key Activities

Key Partnership

Cost Structures

In this session you'll be asked to present your updated BMC and to report back on what you discovered and what pivots have resulted.

We will look at the major sources of funding for early-stage businesses. We will examine debt and equity and pay special attention non-diluting grants and connect you with support services to apply if there is a good fit.

In week 8 you'll be asked to report back on what sources of funding you are persuing, why and how you will implement those plans.

In this workshop we'll focus on the practical aspects of managing Intellectual Property including:

What is IP, Why is it important

Should I protect it and how?

What does IP protection cost and will it be worth it?

How do I use IP to create value for my business?

How can IP create competitive advantage?

What do I need to know about licensing and the assignment of IP?

You'll be asked to report on topics including:

What IP does your business have?

Are you protecting it and if so how?

Based on your new knowledge how are you going to fully exploit your IP?

What actions are you going to take to implement your IP strategy?

In this workshop we will walk you through the key principle of equity investing covering off on topics such as:

Pre- and Post-money valuation

Dilution and 'Growing the value of your slice of the pie'

Understanding a capitalisation table

Ordinary and Preferred stock

Upside and downside Provisions (e.g participating stock and Anti-dilution provisions)

SAFE Notes and Convertible notes

ESOPs

You'll submit your answers to some questions based on some equity investment scenario questions to check your understanding of the principles. You'll develop your own company's capitalisation table and model the impact of some likely investment scenarios. Based on an investment offer scenario you'll develop some credible options for negotiation with an in-coming investor.

In this critical workshop we'll take you through the key components of a modern investment pitch to explain the function/goals of each section.

You'll see example slides from the pitch decks of famous companies (from when they were start-ups) to exemplify the lessons.

This workshop will also examine the characteristics of investable founders to examine what investors are looking for.

You will have the opportunity to revisit your own company's pitch deck and begin to revisit it to incorporate the lessons you've learned. You'll continue this iterative process with your mentor.

Whether your company is ready to accept capital or not, NAFI participants will make a bone fide investment pitch to a panel of potential investors that NAFI will assemble. At this session (if you're ready) you can invite investors to respond to your 'ask', or if you're not ready, you will have the opportunity to present your opportunity in the pitch format and receive genuine feedback.