Tallahassee’s First Technology

Entrepreneurial Program


 

TechForce provides valuable advice to early stage companies, focusing on helping technology companies in our community navigate through vulnerable stages like funding and prototype development.

This program is highly interactive and is taught by local business experts, researchers, and specialists to help improve the chance of success in the market by providing insight into:

  • Entrepreneurship 101
  • Intellectual Property
  • Financing Strategies
  • Prototyping
  • Pitch Training
  • Business Presentations

The TechForce program will also help prepare participants to compete in our TechGrant Elevator Pitch Night where they can compete to win up to $25,000. By the end of the TechForce course participants will have 95% of their TechGrant application complete and will have a leg up on the competition.

Participation in TechForce is not required to compete in the TechGrant program but it is strongly encouraged. 

Registration for TechForce is currently closed. For information about future classes, please contact Ron Miller, Executive Director, at rmiller@inn-park.com

Details and Application

  • COURSE FEE:  $99 per team of two
  • SIZE LIMITS:  Enrollment for each course is limited to the first 12 companies that qualify
  • LOCATION & TIME:  Virtual platform (TBD), 11AM-1PM
  • FACILITATOR: TBD
  • APPLICATION:  Apply online here for TechForce

* We strongly recommend that two individuals in the management of the company participate together in the course.

View a sample Class Schedule!

Each class is held from 11:00AM – 1:00PM typically on Tuesdays and Thursdays.   

*Schedule is subject to change.

Class 1

Introductions & Startup Basics

Introduction to the concepts of entrepreneurship, opportunity recognition, characteristics of entrepreneurs, creativity, innovation, team building, and differentiation strategies.

Class 2

Identify User Need

Based on National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps model, participants will integrate scientific inquiry and industrial discovery in an inclusive, data-driven perspective by rigor, relevance, and evidence.

Class 3

Business Models and IP

A company’s plan for making a profit by identifying the products/services the business plans to sell, its identified target market, and any anticipated expenses and help to attract investment, recruit talent, and motivate management and staff.

Class 4 

Design Challenges

Find new ways to work within accelerated turnarounds, balancing the thinking with the actual doing, staying relevant, and remaining true to core conceptual ideas while keeping up with technology and customer engagement.

Class 5 

Prototype Systems

Exploring rapid prototyping technology for design and manufacturing including paper, foam, 3D CAD modeling, virtual prototyping, stereolithography (liquid resins, laser cured), selective laser sintering (laser “welded” polymers), and fused deposition modeling (extruded thermoplastics).

Class 6

Perfect Pitch

Create a great investor pitch deck by articulating a compelling and interesting story with a strong, thorough, and engaging presentation for angel and venture capital investors.