Design thinking is a great framework for new products and services development and is useful to all entrepreneurs. In this workshop you will you will learn some key mindsets and tools to help you and your team in your innovation process, regardless of the process you are currently using. This is an interactive and experiential session where you have a chance to understand why design thinking is relevant to creating new products/services and experiences for your customers and explore how to apply this to your projects. At the end of the session, you will: Understand the mindsets and principles behind [Read more...]
In this webinar, we will look at how the best companies extract actionable insights from their data and convert them into the right decisions. Every company knows the value of data, and in this webinar, we will cover a few strategies to help you raise the bar when it comes to data. You’ll learn how to: How to deal with the human roadblocks of data Designing systems that can surface insights regularly Using data as the lighthouse in the fog of uncertainty Quickly designing a strategy for analytics Choosing the right KPIs for your business and balancing unexpected incentives Pre [Read more...]
This is the fastest, easiest way to write your plan and this straightforward process will bring new energy to your business. You'll find that the greatest value is developing a one-year action plan that guides your business decisions and focuses your resources where they'll be most productive. This will be an interactive, working session where you’ll have the chance to draft your Vision statement and flush out what’s next for your business. Support Your Business Success With an Actionable Plan! The One Page Business Plan® is a tool for building your business with care and intention. Your one page plan is a [Read more...]
Andre Gueziec, Silicon Valley entrepreneur and angel investor, will describe his entrepreneurial journey and provide tips on how entrepreneurs can succeed in today's startup ecosystem. Andre will discuss the following: How to start and grow your high-tech business. Alternative paths for silicon valley ventures Creative ways to raise money Discerning the fine line between persistence and obstinacy How you can create a positive, vibrant culture How to sell your high-tech business and more! Please come with your questions and comments. Andre will also sell and sign his book, You can be a Silicon Valley Success, for $15 per copy. André Gueziec is [Read more...]
Join us Monday November 18 at 7pm – 9pm for Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life This talk is for anyone has ever struggled with distraction and wants to learn to harness the superpower of super-focus. Nir Eyal, bestselling author of Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products, will explain distraction and discuss tactics we can use immediately to stay focused and help others become Indistractable.
Most entrepreneurs are hoping to build thriving companies, but the fact is, most will not survive without effective marketing. Marketing PRACTICE for Sustained Business Growth exposes a distinct pattern that leads to business failure time and again, then introduces a unique marketing paradigm that makes effectively marketing a business doable, in sequential, actionable steps. Business Marketing PROCESS, step-by-step, not MBA theory, or entrepreneurs stories (which worked for them, but likely won't for you). Veteran Creative Director, and Stanford marketing educator, Jeri Cafesin, inspired by over two decades marketing Silicon Valley seed startups to Fortune 100s, has developed the RAF Marketing Method, a practical, efficient three-step marketing process for sustained business success.
Resonating with Customers: Why Do You Matter?
Join us for this interactive discussion of how to stay in sync with your customers and collaborate with them instead of sell to them, presented by Lilia Shirman, MS ’96, Managing Director at Golden Seeds and tech industry executive. Wednesday, April 2nd 6:45 – 9:00 p.m. Menlo Park Free >>Please register online at: http://alumni.stanford.edu/goto/custvalue Why do you matter to customers? In this interactive workshop, we’ll discuss how to stay in sync with your customers’ perspectives and create tangible, unique, and relevant value propositions that link your product’s features and capabilities to customers’ business goals or personal needs. Most importantly, we’ll practice [Read more...]
IP Strategy for Startups and Entrepreneurs
We hear and read daily of IP conflicts between billion dollar multinationals, the exorbitant sums paid for IP portfolio of bankrupt companies. What is going on? Join us for an interactive talk on best IP strategies for startups and mature companies, including defense, development, and monetization of IP through case studies. Wednesday, February 19th 6:45 – 9:00 p.m. Menlo Park Free >>Please register online at: http://alumni.stanford.edu/goto/ipstrategy Michael Pierantozzi Named one of the 300 "World's Leading Intellectual Property Strategists" by IAM Magazine, Michael’s focus is in helping clients – spanning garage startups, funded startups, established companies and IP monetizers – to realize [Read more...]
Hybrid Business Models: Combining Social Good with Profits
Join us to hear how it's possible to simultaneously grow your business AND contribute to bettering the world around you. Thursday, January 23rd 6:45 – 9:00 p.m. Menlo Park Free >>Please register online at: http://alumni.stanford.edu/goto/profit4good Christine Sherry, Stanford instructor on philanthropy and the nonprofit sector, will discuss various models of social entrepreneurship, including both for profit and nonprofit organizations, the growth of hybrid business models, and how nonprofits are diversifying and expanding their revenue streams by working with for profit organizations. Christine teaches courses on philanthropy and the nonprofit sector at Stanford and has coached executives from both the corporate and nonprofit [Read more...]
TV and the Internet: Today’s Battles, Tomorrow’s Innovations
Join us for a discussion on the disruption of TV and the entertainment business with Steve Jacobs, a consultant focusing on innovative companies at the intersection of content, technology, and commerce after two decades with CBS and Sony. Steve will review how technology is changing our media consumption habits, challenging old business models, and moving in new directions. Please register online at: http://alumni.stanford.edu/goto/tvandtech Tuesday, December 10th 6:45 – 9:00 p.m. Menlo Park (address provided upon RSVP) Free Bio: After two decades of work for CBS and Sony, Steve Jacobs is the principal of his own management consulting firm focusing on innovative [Read more...]
The Emotional Dynamics of Investor Relationships
This talk will give you a unique opportunity to step back from your pitch deck and delve into the emotional dynamics that can drive or derail investor-entrepreneur relationships. You will walk away with: 1) a more nuanced understanding of the range of emotions investors and founders experience during pitch negotiations; and 2) skills & tactics to avoid the emotional traps founders frequently fall into when outreaching or pitching to investors. Wednesday, November 13th 6:45 – 9:00 p.m. Menlo Park Free >> Please register online at http://alumni.stanford.edu/goto/investorrelations2013 Short Bio: Anamaria Nino-Murcia is an entrepreneur coach who works exclusively with early-stage founders and startup [Read more...]
Tour of the Midpeninsula Community Media Center
Join us for a special expanded tour of this area’s award-winning resource for video production: TV shows and your own business video! This is a custom tour designed to reveal the unique capabilities of the Media Center. You’ll learn about how you could produce your own TV show or volunteer to help another show, see how the cameras work or what working in the production booth is like. The Production Manager will be leading the tour and is the expert on their services and technology. Wednesday, October 9th 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. 900 San Antonio Road Palo Alto Free >> [Read more...]
Existential Entrepreneurship – Are You Ready?
Many entrepreneurship lectures focus on the "how" of becoming an entrepreneur, while neglecting the "why." Is entrepreneurship right for me? Rashmi Menon, who teaches entrepreneurship for Stanford Continuing Studies, will be leading an interactive session to explore these questions. Please register online at http://alumni.stanford.edu/goto/existential Tuesday, September 17th 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Menlo Park (address provided upon RSVP) Free Contact: Kathryn Gorges, MA ’90 at kagorges@alumni.stanford.edu Startups in Silicon Valley are inherently sexy, so most of us dream of being entrepreneurs at some point in our career. Many entrepreneurship lectures focus on the "how" of becoming an entrepreneur, while neglecting the "why." [Read more...]
See 3D Scanning and Printing at the TechShop and Visit to Studio RED
Tours of the TechShop! We will be able see the 3-D scanner, 3-D printer, and other machines for fabricating with plastic, metal, wood, leather and actual fabric. Tours can last ten minutes or an hour, depending on how many questions you ask! PLEASE RSVP AT THE LINK -- Location information available at: http://alumni.stanford.edu/goto/techshoptour Tuesday, July 23rd 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Menlo Park, CA 94025 Free Contact: Eve Sutton, eve@well.com (650) 325-3234 10am-9pm leave msg after 6 rings Groups of 4-10 members can start touring the Tech Shop at 6pm (before 6pm is even better)-- just gather at the front counter and wait [Read more...]
Join our planning meeting!
June 19th in Menlo Park, CA we're having a meeting dedicated to facilitating volunteers like you to form teams around our themes and programs for the year and put together one event. This is a fabulous opportunity to get to know more alumni and also the well-regarded speakers we have presenting at our events. Each event team is mentored through the process so that it's fun, successful and rewarding. Contact Kathryn to get more information about when and where the planning meeting will be held.
After the Pitch: Working with Investors
Come hear successful investor Steve Eskenazi present tips on how to successfully work with VCs and Angels. http://alumni.stanford.edu/goto/AfterThePitch Wednesday, May 22nd 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Menlo Park (address provided upon RSVP) Free Contact: Kathryn Gorges, MA ’90 at kagorges@alumni.stanford.edu Steve Eskenazi has had a long and successful career in angel investing, venture capital, investment banking, and technology, spanning more than 25 years. Steve is currently a member of the Angels Forum and has amassed a very successful angel investing track record. From 1997-2008, Steve was a managing director/managing general partner with Walden Venture Capital, where he was responsible for building [Read more...]
Pitch Night for Stanford Entrepreneurs
We will be hosting 4 investors and entrepreneur experts who will be providing constructive feedback to 4 startups chosen to pitch. The presentations are open to all Stanford entrepreneurs and guests as an opportunity for learning about pitching. http://alumni.stanford.edu/goto/pitchnight2013 Tuesday, April 23 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Palo Alto $10 for online registration $15 at the door For more information contact Kathryn Gorges, MA ’90 at kagorges@alumni.stanford.edu We are inviting anyone in the Stanford family (alumni, students, faculty) to apply to pitch! This is a great opportunity to both learn AND make key connections.
Pitching Your Startup: VC Recommendations
Stephanie Palmeri, a Principal with SoftTech VC, will be giving us inside tips on how to capture the attention of the VCs and Angels you’re pitching. http://alumni.stanford.edu/goto/StartupPitch Tuesday, March 5th 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Menlo Park (address provided upon RSVP) Free Contact: Kathryn Gorges, MA ’90 at kagorges@alumni.stanford.edu Steph Palmeri is a Principal with SoftTech VC, where she invests in early stage consumer internet companies including next generation commerce, mobile services, and saas. She has over a decade of experience working at the intersection of marketing and technology. At SoftTech VC, Steph’s work includes opportunity reviews, due diligence, market analysis, and [Read more...]
Bootstrapping Your Startup: Learn what it really takes
Christina Yu, Owner of IntoBenefits, San Jose, CA, will talk about her experience bootstrapping a successful startup. http://alumni.stanford.edu/goto/bootstrap Tuesday, February 19th 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Menlo Park (address provided upon RSVP) Free Contact: Kathryn Gorges, MA ’90 at kagorges@alumni.stanford.edu A Story of not Just Another Typical Minority Female Entrepreneur She had a dream, and a big one too….. Christina Yu came to the Bay Area 15 years ago with only $250 in her pocket and a huge dream - a dream to make her mark and make a difference in the local corporate landscape. It is exactly because of that [Read more...]
Why People Buy: Insights for Your Marketing Strategy
Learn how to explore why people like things and how to put these insights to work for your marketing strategy. Stanford Graduate School of Business Associate Professor of Marketing, Jonathan Levav will show us how to understand how customers think and uncover the factors that determine what they will and won’t like. To capture value from customers, marketers need to understand how they think, and uncover the factors that determine what they will and won’t like. In his presentation Jonathan will explore why people like things, and how to put these insights to work for your marketing strategy. http://alumni.stanford.edu/goto/buyinginsights Tuesday, [Read more...]
The Early Stage Startup: Planning For Success
This seminar will help you find out what it really takes to get investors interested and willing to invest in a new venture. Khaled Nasr, from InterWest Partners, will shed some light on what is important at this critical early stage and provide you with answers and industry guidelines. http://alumni.stanford.edu/goto/earlyfunding Early Stage Startup Funding Success Tuesday, December 11th 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Menlo Park (address provided upon RSVP) Free Contact: Kathryn Gorges, MA ’90 at kagorges@alumni.stanford.edu When you're first getting ready to start a new business, there's a lot to consider: company incorporation, technology, product, team, business planning, financials, fund raising are all on [Read more...]
Accelerate Your Startup
Join us to get a set of practical steps and templates you can use immediately to get your startup off the ground or to the next level. Alex Cowan, MS ’99, will be speaking about his latest book on starting a business using the techniques of leading companies such as lean thinking and agile development to innovate faster and improve quality. Alex Cowan is the founder & CTO of Leonid Systems and author of ‘Starting a Tech Business’. http://alumni.stanford.edu/goto/accelerate Thursday, November 15th 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Menlo Park (address provided upon RSVP) Free Contact: Kathryn Gorges, MA ’90 at kagorges@alumni.stanford.edu [Read more...]
How to Get the Most for Your Legal $$
Anyone who has ever started a business knows that it's critical to find expert legal counsel. But once you do, how do you work with that counsel to get what you want, and more importantly, what you need? Join Neal Williams from Carr & Ferrell LLP, who will give us some pointers on how to turn an obligatory burden into a helpful asset. Tuesday, October 16th 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Menlo Park (address provided upon RSVP) Free Contact: Kathryn Gorges, MA ’90 at kagorges@alumni.stanford.edu
Pitch Night 2012
We will be hosting four angel investors who will be providing constructive feedback to 5 startups chosen to pitch. Thursday, May 17 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Palo Alto – Menlo Park area Price: Free Contact: Kathryn Gorges, MA ’90 at kagorges@alumni.stanford.edu
Powerfully Pitch Your Startup Idea
Matt Abrahams, ’91, will join us to discuss how to create and confidently deliver compelling, authentic startup pitches. Monday, April 16, 2012 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Menlo Park Price: Free RSVP to Kathryn Gorges, MA ’90 at kagorges@alumni.stanford.edu