Register your interest for the CO.STARTERS business programme now!
If you’re an aspiring or seasoned entrepreneur, looking to launch a new product or service, the CO.STARTERS business programme is for you!
CO.STARTERS is a weekly course designed to help you find the best approach to starting and growing a business. Collaborate with others who share your entrepreneurial spirit as you work through your business model.
The ten-week programme will equip you with the insights, relationships, and tools needed to turn your ideas into a sustainable and thriving endeavour. Each week the cohort will work through a theme/topic together, with local entrepreneurs and professionals coming as guest speakers to share their knowledge and inspiring stories.
CO.STARTERS programmes have run successfully across the West Coast. Graduates of the programme have gone on to do inspiring things across the Coast.
View past Co.Starters graduates
About CO.STARTERS
The CO.STARTERS programme was developed in Chattanooga, TN, USA by Enoch Elwell, a co-founder of The Company Lab business/enterprise hub, which has played a key role in the revitalisation of Chattanooga. It was developed as a means to empower community leaders in assisting aspiring entrepreneurs, start-up’s and existing small business owners/managers in developing their businesses.
CO.STARTERS is a ten-week cohort based program that equips aspiring entrepreneurs with the insights, relationships and tools needed to turn ideas into action and turn a passion into a sustainable and thriving endeavour. This program is based on the Business Model Canvas incorporating Lean Start-Up methodology which has been used by highly successful entrepreneurs and corporations around the world, such as Microsoft, Intel, Xerox, NASA and 3M. CO.STARTERS utilises and develops locally based facilitators and mentors, while bringing in expert guest speakers for inspiration and guidance.
Development West Coast is a part of the CO.STARTERS® network. Learn more at www.costarters.co
Programme Details
- Date: Beginning Tuesday, 17 September (10 week programme)
- Time: 5.30pm - 8.30pm
- Venue: DWC - 54 Tainui Street, Greymouth | Hokitika St John - 134 Stafford Street, Hokitika
- Facilitators: Zane Smith and Fiona Hill
- Cost: $500 + GST
- Take advantage of this highly subsidised course and register today!
Register interest now!
Programme Dates:
- Tuesday, 17 September - Greymouth
- Tuesday, 24 September - Hokitika
- Tuesday, 1 October - Greymouth
- Tuesday, 8 October - Hokitika
- Tuesday, 15 October - Greymouth
- Tuesday, 22 October - Hokitika
- Tuesday, 29 October - Greymouth
- Tuesday, 5 November - Hokitika
- Tuesday, 12 November - Greymouth
- Tuesday, 19 November – Hokitika (Celebration Night)
Once you've registered interest
One of the team from DWC will be in touch to have an initial discussion to ensure participants are fully aware of the course content that will be covered, time commitment involved, to determine this is the right course before you apply. After this discussion, you will be provided with the application link, should the course be the right fit for you.
Once you've applied
Once we have received your application, you will receive an email confirming and to arrange an appointment for you to complete a pre cohort interview with your facilitators.
Please be aware there is a limited amount of spaces for this cohort but there will be further opportunity to complete CO.STARTERS again next year.
Payment Options
Please note the programme fee is due prior to the programme commencing. We're happy to discuss a payment plan if required but this needs to be confirmed before the programme commences. Please contact us at events@dwc.org.nz or 03 769 7000 to discuss.
Course Schedule
Week One: Knowing Yourself
- Introduction, assumptions, working styles, team building, obstacles.
Week Two: Knowing Your Customer
- Customer, problem, alternatives, idea testing.
Week Three: Finding the Right Solution
- Solution, benefit, advantage, starting small, brand identity.
Week Four: Getting the Relationship Right
- Marketing and message, getting, keeping and growing customers.
Week Five: Building Blocks
- Distribution, revenue, typical offering, price.
Week Six: Structures and Systems
- Legal and accounting considerations
Week Seven: Discovering the Bottom Line
- Startup and ongoing needs, fixed and variable costs, break-even point.
Week Eight: Financial Modeling
- Break-even point, sales projections, cash flow, raising capital.
Week Nine: Planning for Growth
- Growth plans, goal setting, celebration prep.
Week Ten: Celebration