FAQs
Q: What is 6MSU?
6 Month Startup is a program created by Dave Parker, Seattle VC and Angel Investor, to help startup founders prepare their business and is a practical "Roadmap from Ideation to Revenue"
Q: What can I expect from 6MSU Kitsap?
You can expect to work on your startup idea, receive some practical high-level guidance on topics like identifying target audiences, selecting business models, protecting intellectual properties, marketing your idea, and preparing elevator pitches and pitch decks. It draws on mentors from the community with business experience that will ask hard questions with the intent of helping you be successful - but the founders are required to do the work - not the mentors or community. 6MSU is not a business school or certified program. It is a supportive, guided program that helps founders move forward with their business idea.
Q: What are the dates and times?
Consult the 6 Month Startup Kitsap registration page for the specific details and links to register.
Q: Do I need to register for each session?
Yes. Each session has an independent registration. Please register through the links for each session on the registration page.
Q: What is the cost?
The cost is $35/session for general public, and $20/session for students.
Q: Will food and drink be provided?
Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Please be sure to register so that we can get accurate headcount per session.
Q: Will I get investment funding after going through 6MSU?
6MSU encourages bootstrapping and traditional business growth and it is the sole responsibility of the Founders to determine the best path for their business. We will spend time assisting Founders in preparing pitch decks and they are encouraged to pursue funding vehicles that make sense for their goals. There is no plan to "fund startups" out of the program and their are no funding vehicles waiting on the other side of the program. However there is a Kitsap group of investors that are actively looking to create a fund that may be showcased in the future. The work that a founder does through 6MSU will prepare them for traditional growth in addition to seeking venture capital (and help them to understand what areas need to be worked on). We hope to have guest speakers come to share the realities of Angel and VC funding with the session participants.
Q: Who can attend 6MSU?
Anyone who registers and can commit to being a Founder, Mentor, or Supporter (investor/leader). This is not a program for general public, so it is expected that attendees #give-first and help one another.
Q: Will everyone sign an NDA?
We will cover this in Month 1, but the quick answer is "No". NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements) are almost impossible to enforce for ideas, and the greatest threat to a founder is "not" having feedback as compared to "someone stealing my idea". We will in fact encourage wide open and honest communication - the more feedback and constructive criticism a founder receives, the better!
Q: Can I attend remotely?
6MSU is not set up for this at this time. However, if there is enough demand, we will evaluate solutions.
Q: My cofounder is located elsewhere. Can s/he participate via livestream?
Not at this time, unless there is a dependable video conference solution set up in the future.
Q: I am a high-school or college student, can I attend 6MSU?
Absolutely!
Q: Who does the work?
Glad you asked! The Founder does the work. We repeat, the Founder does the work (along with their team). If a Founder does not do the homework from month to month, they can still participate in the next session, but they will not receive mentor time or be allowed to speak in front. To respect the work of their colleagues, it is expected that Founders commit to doing the work and assignments. After all, this is YOUR idea and business!
Q: I have a day job, is 6MSU right for me?
If you have the desire to take your idea to the next level, this is a great program. The session slots are built for the evening hours (6:30 to 9:30) so as to not impact the traditional work day. If you are simply exploring "does my idea have legs?" this is also a good program. Founders will learn techniques to simply define the marketability and viability of their idea, in a non-threatening, constructive, and encouraging format.
Q: I have an idea I have been working on for years, is 6MSU for me?
Generally yes. However, it is expected that you will be as objective as possible and listen to the input from the mentors, no matter how constructively critical the feedback is. A super power that Founders have is the unwavering belief in their ideas. 6MSU is a great place to learn if that superpower is actually laced with destructive "kryptonite". History is filled with founders who had a vision that the market responded to (Steve Jobs, Amy Chang, Bill Gates, Rich Barton, and others).
Q: I can't make all of the meetups. Can I still do it?
You can jump into any session, but to receive the mentor support and speak up front (when the program calls for it), you will have been expected to have done the previous month's homework.
Q: Is this only for tech-related startups?
No, any startup founder can join. We will speak heavily to technology startups (since there is significant opportunity there) however we will also discuss Service businesses and alternate business models.
Q: Who's facilitating / leading / teaching this?
The facilitators will be industry veterans with both Fortune 500 business experience and startup experience. Mentors will also be present that have significant industry experience and longer careers. Both groups will be hand picked to help share their experience and wisdom in a #give-first philosophy. It is also expected that Founders help Founders when possible - an ecosystem is stronger when people volunteer to help.
Q: How can I help?
Glad you asked! We have a special page "Partner With Us" you can use to let us know who you are and how you want to help. We are putting out a call for all business leaders, civic leaders, and alliance leaders who have a heart for seeing an entrepreneurial ecosystem thrive here in Kitsap and the greater Olympic Peninsula (from Gig Harbor to Port Angeles to Bainbridge Island). Our collective vision is to create a successful and self-perpetuating ecosystem of entrepreneurship (founders/startups/training/funding) take root in this wonderful place we call home.