Entrepreneur Bootcamp Class 4

This session focuses on one of the most common and costly startup mistakes: overspending. Participants learn how businesses generate revenue, what it takes to operate, and the financial tools needed to understand profitability.

Guest speakers cover key funding and capital access options, including a banker discussing SBA loan programs and lender expectations, a representative sharing microloan opportunities, a presenter outlining SBIR and STTR funding programs, and investors or capital partners providing insight into funding readiness.

Participants are also introduced to core financial concepts such as fixed vs. variable costs, direct vs. indirect costs, and economies of scale, along with real-world factors that impact profitability like seasonality, growth, emergencies, and reinvestment needs.

The session includes an overview of essential financial documents, including statements of financial need, projected financials, expense and amortization schedules, 24-month cash flow projections, sensitivity analysis, break-even analysis, and balance sheets.

The hands-on activity requires participants to create a draft monthly budget using estimated costs, followed by homework to refine it with real data gathered through research and vendor outreach.