BUILD Online Course

The BUILD program is one stream in the Black Start-Up Project, a unique program to provide Black entrepreneurs and business owners in Atlantic Canada with access to services and opportunities in the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem.

BUILD provides education and workshops tailored to Black entrepreneurs, including live workshop sessions delivered by successful Black leaders, experts and entrepreneurs. Using a hands-on approach, this program also offers resources and wraparound services like mentors and experts-in-residence, grant writing support, and funder introductions.

Workshops for the BUILD program run from March 22nd to June 7th on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00pm ADT

Lesson topics:

Facilitators: Tiffany Young and Mani Itiveh

What we’ll cover:

• Establishing your purpose in business
• Understanding your target market
• Competitor analysis
• Identifying market gaps
• Product/service pricing

2. How to Build a Business Model & Strategy 

Facilitator: Natalie Frederick-Wilson 

Date: March 29, 2023 (6:30PM-8PM ADT)

What we’ll cover:

• Envisioning the business
• Setting business goals
• Writing a business plan

3. How to Build a Brand & Marketing Strategy

Facilitator: Ross Simmonds

What we’ll cover:

• Building a brand
• Creating a marketing strategy
• Understanding sales techniques
• How to prepare relationships with consultants

4. How to Build a Team & Hire Talent

Facilitator: Bradley Daye

What we’ll cover:

• Hiring a contributor
• Building and managing a team
• Building an inclusive workplace culture
• Inclusive leadership

5. How to Find & Manage Cash Flow

Facilitator: Zawadi Mayeka

What we’ll cover:

• Building Budgets & Financial Statements
• Cash Flow Management and Projections
• Monetization Strategy – revenue vs. profit
• Understand the mechanics of cash flow
• Compliance and tax readiness
• Raising capital and securing funding (loan financing)
• Risk tolerance
• When can a founder pay themself

6. What is Intellectual Property?

Facilitator: Lorraine Fleck

What we’ll cover:

• What is Intellectual Property?
• Why should you protect your IP?
• What can you do with IP?
• Advantages and disadvantages of IP

7. How to Manage Finances, Accounting, Bookkeeping and Taxation

Facilitator: Alexandra MacLean

What we’ll cover:

• Systems for bookkeeping
• Liaising between the accountant
• How to avoid firefighting with finances
• What’s involved in tax season and readiness

8. How to Fund your Business part 1

Facilitator: Tia Upshaw

What we’ll cover:

• Where to locate grants
• How to apply for grants and funding
• Building grant applications and proposals

9. How to Fund your Business part 2

Facilitator: Marlon Thompson

What we’ll cover:

• How to raise venture capital
• Readiness of startup
• Traits of an investment-ready startup team
• What motivates investors

10. How to Grow your Business and Build a High Performing Team

Facilitator: Laurissa Manning

What we’ll cover:

• Business Growth
• The Startup Roadmap
• Team functionalities

11. Pitching Your Business to Investors

Facilitator: Amoye Henry

What we’ll cover:

• Types of pitches
• Components of a pitch and pitch deck
• Asking for capital
• Telling your business’ story

12. Wrapping Up and Next Steps

Sign-up for FREE weekly mentorship with Black mentors

Join small mentorship sessions to dive deeper into specific business problems and receive tactics from our Black expert mentors. Black business mentors with lived experience are available every week to support you with your business development and obstacles, build accountability, and provide encouragement and guidance.

Each mentor is available for an hour per week; make sure to book your time early, as space is limited.