Workshop: Succeeding in the Start-up Ecosystem

This workshop aims to guide cognitive science PhD students on starting a company within the start-up ecosystem., with an emphasis on how to use venture capital (VC). It will cover essential concepts, stages, decision points, and skills needed to improve chances for success. The workshop will also compare VC funding phases with those in academic research to make the concepts and processes more accessible. This workshop will begin by helping students calibrate their motivations and timelines for creating a startup company or joining one. After a review of the typical startup lifecycle by a venture capitalist, three startup founders will explain their career trajectories and critical decision points. They will then introduce important decisions about product, market, software, and funding strategies. Students will then participate in breakout sessions in one of these four areas. After the breakout sessions, the workshop will conclude with open discussion with the presenters