RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – We’re gearing up for a New Propeller Cohort at First Flight Venture Center.

Propeller is a 6-week entrepreneurial design thinking program which helps founders and entrepreneurs determine whether there is sufficient value to pursue a product or service idea. The program helps entrepreneurs identify potential markets, develop a path to market strategy, and learn how to communicate the value of the idea to early stakeholders and adopters.

Over six weeks of instruction, Propeller enables innovators to utilize the tools provided and peer interaction to consider angles from the business problem, customer value, and competitive edge–resulting in a clear understanding about the business direction and value of their idea and how to present this value in an investor-ready pitch.

Propeller serves as a first-step program for early-stage science and technology innovators by helping them bridge the gap between a brilliant idea and the business value it represents. It is based in part on the Wendy Kennedy Institute (WKI) methodology but tailored to science and technology-focused companies. First Flight seeks to contribute to our vibrant entrepreneurial community by adding Propeller as a building block for an ever-stronger innovation ecosystem.

The virtual, self-paced modules, integrated with mentor interactions, may take place over a several weeks (pace depends on the time committed by Founder). If Cohort based with facilitator, the program is typically completed over six weeks with a celebration demo day afterward.

Scholarships to:

• 20 Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI) Founders of Companies in Raleigh, North Carolina sponsored by the City of Raleigh

• Manufacturing Companies sponsored by the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership

Please contact Emil Runge at erunge@ffvcnc.org or (404) 668-2136 and Lydia Bjorklund at lbjorklund@ffvcnc.org if you have any questions.