Programs at The Commons
CO.Starters Core
Accelerate Your Business in this 10-Week Resource-Rich Training and Mentorship Program
What to Expect
Insights, connections, resources, and tools to help you build a thriving sustainable business.
Session 1
Session 2
Knowing Your Customer: Customer, Problem, Alternatives, Idea Testing
Session 3
Finding The Right Solution: Solution, Benefit, Advantage, Starting Small, Brand Identity
Session 4
Getting the Relationship Right: Marketing & Message; Getting, Keeping & Growing Customers
Session 5
Building Blocks: Distribution, Revenue, Typical Offering, Price
Session 6
Structures & Systems: Business Structures, Licenses, IP, Hiring
Session 7
Session 8
Financial Modeling: Break-Even Point, Sales Projections, Cash Flow, Raising Capita
Session 9
Planning For Growth: Raising Capital, Growth Plans, Goal Setting, Storytelling
Session 10
Who Should Apply
The Commitment
10 Sessions
Attend all 10 sessions. More than 2 absences may result in disqualification.
Develop
Develop your Business Model Canvas, a strategic tool to manage your business model.
Support
Support fellow participants in troubleshooting and challenging their assumptions.
Participate
Participate actively in facilitated group discussions. Engage guest speakers, challenge your assumptions and talk to potential customers.
Fieldwork
Complete “fieldwork” between sessions to develop your plans.
Special Circumstances
If special circumstances may prevent or limit your attendance, please let us know. We try our best to accommodate needs due to transportation, childcare and “day jobs.”
The Benefits
Mentorship from some of Denver’s top entrepreneurs
Pitch refinement and the platform to share your business with a large community
Pro bono legal assistance
Joining Denver’s CO.STARTERS alumni network with over 150+ successful business owners
A community of entrepreneurs to lean on
Professional headshots
You’ll learn the structure of starting a business that you can use for future endeavors
Certified Facilitators
Trusted volunteer business leaders from the community and CO.Starters alumni are certified to co-facilitate the program.
Ira Coleman
CO.Starters Alum & Founder of Button & Zipper
Kerby Meyers
Principal, The Communications Refinery
Olivia Omega Wallace
Branding Strategist & Co-Founder, Wallace Marketing Group
Program Cost
Application Fee: Free
Standard Tuition: $300, includes facilitation, guest speakers, materials and refreshments.
*This nationally- recognized program normally costs $1,500 for each participant. However, The Commons mission is to offer programming, resources and the necessary tools to start and grow a business at little to no cost to further break down barriers, making entrepreneurship accessible to everyone. With the support of grants and sponsorships, we are able to heavily subsidize this program and cover the cost so each entrepreneur pays $300 for the full 10-week program.
Tuition Assistance: Full or partial assistance available by request and based on financial need for applicants accepted for the program.
Program Dates
CO.STARTERS at The Commons is offered throughout the year. Classes are every Wednesday night for 10-weeks from 5:45pm to 9:00pm.
Currently CO.STARTERS is held virtually via Zoom.
Upcoming Start Dates
Cohort #16:
- Application Deadline:
- Notification Date:
- Session # 1 – January 13
- Session # 3 – January 27
- Session # 4 – February 3
- Session # 5 – February 10
- Session # 6 – February 17
- Session # 7 – February 24
- Session # 8 – March 3
- Session # 9 – March 10
- Celebration – March 17
Cohort #17:
- Application Deadline:
- Notification Date:
- Session # 1 – April 7
- Session # 2 – April 14
- Session # 3 – April 21
- Session # 4 – April 28
- Session # 5 – May 5
- Session # 6 – May 12
- Session # 7 – May 19
- Session # 8 – May 26
- Session # 9 – June 2
- Celebration – June 9
Cohort #18:
- Application Deadline:
- Notification Date:
- Session # 1 – June 30
- Session # 2 – July 7
- Session # 3 – July 14
- Session # 4 – July 21
- Session # 5 – July 28
- Session # 6 – August 4
- Session # 7 – August 11
- Session # 8 – August 18
- Session # 9 – August 25
- Celebration – September 1
Cohort #19:
- Application Deadline:
- Notification Date:
- Session # 1 – October 20
- Session # 2 – October 27
- Session # 3 – November 3
- Session # 4 – November 10
- Session # 5 – November 17
- Session # 6 – November 24
- Session # 7 – December 1
- Session # 8 – December 8
- Session # 9 – December 15
- Celebration – December 22
Start Your Application
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