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Entrepreneurship Development Program:
Curriculum

Copy of Month 1 Common Track All participants go through a foundation phase covering start

Common Track Curriculum (For All Participants)

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Consumer D2C Startup Curriculum

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Software Technology Startup Curriculum

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Detailed Monthly Curriculum

  • Common Track Curriculum (For All Participants)

    Theme: Foundations of Startup Success – From Idea to MVP

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    Week 1: Ideation, Validation & Market Research

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    Knowledge Track

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    • Frameworks for market research: TAM, SAM, SOM analysis

    • Conducting competitor analysis and identifying market gaps

    • Validating your startup idea through real-world testing

    • How to identify untapped business opportunities in emerging and mature markets

     

    Practical Track

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    • Conduct live customer interviews and validate your idea

    • Perform competitive analysis for your niche

    • Build and launch a basic landing page or prototype

    • Create a survey or form to collect real-world feedback

     

    Indian vs International Track

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    • How Indian consumer behavior differs from the US/European markets

    • Why pricing strategies vary dramatically between India and global markets

    • Impact of localization and regional preferences on business success

    • Case study: How Zomato and Swiggy adapted to India vs how Uber Eats failed

     

    Week 2: Business Model, Revenue Streams & Pricing

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    Knowledge Track

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    • Types of business models: B2B, B2C, D2C, SaaS, marketplace

    • Building revenue streams: One-time, recurring, and hybrid models

    • Pricing strategies for startups (penetration pricing, skimming, and value-based)

    • Fundamentals of unit economics and profitability

     

    Practical Track

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    • Design your startup’s business model using the Business Model Canvas (BMC)

    • Create three different revenue stream strategies for your startup

    • Calculate the cost per acquisition (CPA) and customer lifetime value (CLV)

    • Identify key profitability drivers in your startup

     

    Indian vs International Track

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    • Why Indian startups rely more on discounts while US startups focus on value

    • Challenges of price sensitivity in Indian markets

    • Impact of purchasing power on pricing models

    • Case study: Why Apple prices its products higher in India vs the US

     

    Week 3: Building and Testing Your MVP

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    Knowledge Track

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    • What is an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) and why it matters

    • Strategies for building a no-code MVP

    • Rapid prototyping and iterative development

    • Testing and refining the MVP based on user feedback

     

    Practical Track

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    • Build and launch a simple MVP for your startup

    • Use no-code tools like Webflow, Carrd, or Bubble to create a landing page

    • Collect feedback from early users and iterate

    • Create a product roadmap for future iterations

     

    Indian vs International Track

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    • Why MVP testing needs to be faster and cheaper in India

    • How to gather hyperlocal feedback in India

    • User adoption challenges in India vs globally

    • Case study: Why Meesho’s low-cost MVP approach succeeded in India

     

    Week 4: Startup Marketing & Brand Positioning

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    Knowledge Track

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    • Basics of marketing funnels (AIDA, TOFU-MOFU-BOFU)

    • Building a brand identity: Naming, logo, and visual design

    • Storytelling and emotional marketing

    • Growth hacking strategies for early-stage startups

     

    Practical Track

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    • Create your brand positioning statement

    • Design your startup’s logo and visual identity

    • Write compelling ad copy for your MVP

    • Run a micro-campaign on Meta or Google Ads with a ₹500 budget

     

    Indian vs International Track

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    • How Indian consumers perceive new brands vs US consumers

    • Key emotional triggers in Indian marketing (family, trust, and value)

    • How celebrity endorsements impact buying behavior in India

    • Case study: Why Indian D2C brands rely heavily on influencer marketing

     

    Outcome by End of Month 1

    • A fully validated business idea with real customer feedback

    • An operational MVP or prototype

    • A clear brand identity and positioning strategy

    • Hands-on experience with market research, pricing, and early-stage marketing

    • Ready to choose between D2C Track or Software Track for the next phase

  • Monthly Curriculum

    D2C Track (Months 2–6)


    Theme: Building, Scaling, and Monetizing Your Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Brand


    Structure:

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    • Knowledge Track: In-depth learning of product creation, marketing, branding, and growth strategies.

    • Practical Track: Hands-on execution of product development, marketing, and customer acquisition strategies.

    • Indian vs. International Track: Compare D2C business models, market behaviors, and funding landscapes in India vs. global markets.

    • Expert Sessions: Industry leaders, D2C founders, and growth marketers sharing practical insights.

     
    Month 2: Product Development, Branding, and Supply Chain

    Knowledge Track

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    • Product-Market Fit (PMF): Learn how to validate and refine your product idea by identifying market demand.

    • Brand Positioning and Identity: Craft a strong brand identity with unique values, tone, and visual language.

    • Supply Chain and Logistics: Understand product sourcing, manufacturing, packaging, and shipping processes.

    • Vendor and Supplier Management: Learn how to find and negotiate with manufacturers and suppliers.

    • Packaging and Unboxing Experience: Discover how unboxing experience impacts customer satisfaction and loyalty.

    Practical Track

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    • Create Your Product Prototype: Design and build your first product sample or prototype.

    • Set Up Branding Elements: Create logos, color palettes, and visual brand identity.

    • Choose Packaging Design: Select packaging materials and design an attractive and sustainable package.

    • Develop a Product Story: Write compelling product descriptions highlighting the benefits and unique selling points.

    • Test Your Product with Beta Customers: Run a small-scale product trial and collect feedback.

    Indian vs. International Track

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    • Manufacturing and Sourcing: Compare India’s low-cost manufacturing advantage vs. global quality standards.

    • Supply Chain Complexities: Understand logistics challenges in India (COD, rural delivery) vs. international shipping.

    • Branding Preferences: Analyze how branding aesthetics differ for Indian vs. international consumers.

     
    Month 3: Marketing, Customer Acquisition, and Distribution Channels

    Knowledge Track

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    • D2C Marketing Fundamentals: Learn the fundamentals of D2C marketing, including storytelling, positioning, and content creation.

    • Customer Acquisition Channels: Explore paid ads, influencer collaborations, SEO, and social media marketing.

    • Content and Influencer Marketing: Learn how to create viral content and collaborate with relevant influencers.

    • Retail vs. E-commerce: Understand the pros and cons of selling through retail vs. online platforms.

    • Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO): Learn how to improve your website’s conversion rates through design and offers.

    Practical Track

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    • Create a Marketing Funnel: Build a complete marketing funnel with awareness, engagement, and conversion stages.

    • Run Facebook & Google Ads: Set up, optimize, and scale paid ad campaigns.

    • Influencer Outreach: Identify and collaborate with micro and macro influencers for product promotion.

    • SEO & Content Creation: Create blog posts, videos, and social media content to attract organic traffic.

    • Customer Acquisition Campaign: Launch a campaign with clear metrics (CPC, CTR, CAC) to measure effectiveness.

    Indian vs. International Track

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    • Marketing Preferences: Compare how Indian consumers respond to emotional storytelling vs. US/EU consumers’ preference for logic-driven marketing.

    • Influencer Impact: Understand why influencer marketing has a greater impact in India due to social trust.

    • Distribution Channels: Learn why Indian D2C brands often rely on marketplace sales (Amazon, Flipkart) vs. global brands prioritizing owned websites.

     
    Month 4: Sales, Customer Experience, and Pricing Strategies

    Knowledge Track

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    • D2C Sales Strategies: Learn how to optimize your sales funnel, reduce cart abandonment, and increase conversions.

    • Pricing Models: Explore cost-plus pricing, value-based pricing, and dynamic pricing strategies.

    • Upselling and Cross-Selling Techniques: Learn how to maximize customer lifetime value (CLTV).

    • Customer Retention and Loyalty: Strategies to increase repeat purchases through loyalty programs and personalized offers.

    • Customer Service and Feedback: Learn how to manage customer queries, handle complaints, and gather feedback.

    Practical Track

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    • Sales Funnel Optimization: Improve your website’s conversion rates with A/B testing.

    • Create Loyalty Programs: Design and implement loyalty or referral programs to boost repeat purchases.

    • Run a Pricing Experiment: Test different pricing models to identify the most profitable one.

    • Customer Experience Enhancements: Introduce live chat, product recommendations, and faster checkout options.

    • Improve Customer Service: Set up customer service workflows with automated replies and ticketing systems.

    Indian vs. International Track

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    • Sales Channels: Compare India’s reliance on third-party marketplaces vs. global D2C brands’ focus on direct website sales.

    • Customer Loyalty: Learn why Indian customers are price-sensitive, while global markets value brand trust and experience.

    • Pricing Differences: Understand how Indian consumers prefer discounts, while international customers value premium pricing and exclusivity.

     
    Month 5: Scaling, Retargeting, and Expanding Your D2C Brand

    Knowledge Track

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    • Scaling D2C Operations: Learn how to expand production, distribution, and marketing operations.

    • Retargeting Strategies: Leverage data-driven retargeting campaigns to convert lost leads.

    • Subscription and Membership Models: Understand how to create subscription-based revenue streams.

    • Partnerships and Collaborations: Learn how to collaborate with complementary brands to expand your customer base.

    • Affiliate Marketing: Use affiliate partnerships to boost sales and increase reach.

    Practical Track

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    • Scale Ad Campaigns: Increase ad budgets and test new acquisition channels.

    • Automate Retargeting: Set up retargeting campaigns with dynamic product ads.

    • Launch a Subscription Model: Test subscription plans with exclusive offers.

    • Partnership Outreach: Identify and pitch potential brand collaboration partners.

    • Optimize Distribution: Expand delivery zones and collaborate with logistics partners.

    Indian vs. International Track

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    • Scaling Challenges: Learn how Indian D2C brands struggle with logistics, while global brands focus on expanding product lines.

    • Partnership Models: Understand how Indian brands collaborate with local influencers, while international brands prioritize celebrity partnerships.

    • Customer Experience: Compare customer service expectations in India (price-driven) vs. global markets (experience-driven).

     
     
    Month 6: Exit Strategies, Funding, and Long-Term Growth

    Knowledge Track

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    • Exit Strategies: Learn about acquisition, private equity buyouts, and IPOs for D2C brands.

    • Funding and Investment: Understand how to raise capital from angel investors, VCs, and retail investors.

    • Retail Expansion: Learn how to transition from D2C to physical retail stores.

    • Brand Licensing and Franchising: Understand how to license your brand or franchise your business.

    • International Expansion: Learn strategies to expand your D2C brand globally.

    Practical Track

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    • Prepare for Funding: Create a pitch deck, financial projections, and investor outreach plan.

    • Run a Large-Scale Campaign: Execute a full-scale marketing campaign to boost brand visibility.

    • Retail Expansion: Explore offline partnerships with retailers.

    • Set Up Franchise Models: Create a framework for franchising your D2C business.

    • International Expansion Strategy: Develop a global expansion roadmap with compliance checks.

    Indian vs. International Track

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    • Exit Differences: Understand why Indian D2C brands often seek acquisitions, while global brands aim for IPOs.

    • Funding Trends: Compare the VC funding environment for D2C in India vs. global markets.

    • International Expansion Challenges: Learn the hurdles Indian brands face when expanding abroad.

  • Software Technology Startup

    Software Track (Months 2–6)


    Theme: Building, Scaling, and Monetizing Your Software Startup


    Structure:

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    • Knowledge Track: In-depth learning of technology, business strategies, and growth models.
       

    • Practical Track: Hands-on implementation of concepts, building, testing, and launching your software startup.
       

    • Indian vs. International Track: Comparing business models, scaling challenges, and funding opportunities in India vs. global markets.
       

    • Expert Sessions: Investors, founders, and tech leaders sharing real-world insights.
       

     
    Month 2: MVP Development and Technology Architecture


    Knowledge Track

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    • Product Development Lifecycle: Understand the step-by-step process of building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) from idea to launch.
       

    • Tech Stack Selection: Learn how to choose the right programming languages, frameworks, and infrastructure for your software startup.
       

    • UI/UX for Software Products: Learn the fundamentals of user experience design, wireframing, and prototyping.
       

    • Cloud Infrastructure & DevOps: Explore cloud services (AWS, GCP, Azure) and DevOps practices for deployment, scaling, and security.
       

    • Agile and Scrum Methodologies: Learn Agile project management frameworks to streamline product development.
       

    Practical Track

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    • Build Your MVP: Design and develop a working MVP with essential features and functionalities.
       

    • Code Optimization: Refactor code for efficiency, scalability, and performance.
       

    • Integrate APIs and External Services: Connect third-party services (payment gateways, authentication, etc.).
       

    • Database and Backend Setup: Develop a scalable backend architecture with efficient database design.
       

    • UI/UX Implementation: Create a user-friendly interface with a focus on usability and design consistency.
       

    Indian vs. International Track

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    • Software Development Trends: Compare trends in India vs. global markets (e.g., mobile-first vs. cloud-first approaches).
       

    • Tech Talent and Hiring: Understand the differences in hiring software engineers in India vs. US/EU.
       

    • Data Privacy and Compliance: Learn how Indian startups comply with local regulations vs. international standards (GDPR, HIPAA, etc.).
       

     
    Month 3: Advanced Software Development and Deployment


    Knowledge Track

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    • Backend Development: Deep dive into backend logic, API design, and server-side processing.
       

    • Frontend Development: Advanced concepts in frontend frameworks (React.js, Angular, etc.).
       

    • Database Management: Implement database optimization strategies for scalability and performance.
       

    • Software Security: Learn cybersecurity fundamentals, encryption, and protection against vulnerabilities.
       

    • Continuous Integration and Deployment (CI/CD): Explore automation tools for efficient software delivery.
       

    Practical Track

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    • Backend and API Development: Build robust APIs, optimize server-side code, and implement caching.
       

    • Frontend UI Enhancements: Refine the design, optimize performance, and implement dynamic features.
       

    • Version Control (Git): Use Git and GitHub for version control, branching, and collaboration.
       

    • Deployment: Host your software product on a cloud platform with automated CI/CD pipelines.
       

    • User Testing: Conduct internal testing to identify bugs and improve user experience.
       

    Indian vs. International Track

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    • Tech Stack Preferences: Compare the tech stacks used by Indian vs. global startups.
       

    • Compliance and Legal Differences: Understand how data protection and IP laws vary.
       

    • Funding for Tech Startups: Compare the funding landscape for software startups in India vs. US/EU.
       

     
     
    Month 4: Monetization, Growth Hacking, and Customer Acquisition


    Knowledge Track

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    • Pricing Strategies for SaaS/Software: Learn how to price your software product with tiered, usage-based, or flat pricing models.
       

    • Growth Hacking Techniques: Explore viral loops, referral programs, and creative marketing strategies.
       

    • Customer Acquisition Channels: Learn about performance marketing, SEO, content marketing, and partnerships.
       

    • Customer Retention & Engagement: Understand the techniques to boost retention and reduce churn.
       

    • Analytics and Metrics: Learn to track CAC, CLTV, MRR, and churn rates to optimize business performance.
       

    Practical Track

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    • Create a Go-To-Market (GTM) Strategy: Build a launch plan with acquisition, pricing, and promotion strategies.
       

    • Run a Pilot Launch: Test your software with a small group of users and gather feedback.
       

    • Customer Persona Development: Define your ideal customer profiles and their pain points.
       

    • Optimize Acquisition Channels: Use data-driven experiments to find the most effective marketing channels.
       

    • Automate Customer Onboarding: Build an automated onboarding sequence with emails, tutorials, and tips.
       

    Indian vs. International Track

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    • Pricing Models in India vs. Global Markets: Understand how Indian customers perceive pricing differently from international users.
       

    • Customer Behavior Insights: Compare customer acquisition strategies in India vs. US/EU.
       

    • Funding Sources: Learn how Indian startups rely more on bootstrapping vs. global startups that seek VC funding.
       

     
    Month 5: Scaling, Automation, and Advanced Analytics


    Knowledge Track

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    • Scaling Your Software Product: Learn how to scale infrastructure, databases, and backend operations.
       

    • Advanced Data Analytics: Use data science tools to analyze user behavior and make data-driven decisions.
       

    • Automation in Software: Learn how to automate tasks like customer support, billing, and reporting.
       

    • AI and Machine Learning: Understand how to incorporate basic ML models into your product for personalization.
       

    • Cloud Optimization: Improve performance, reduce costs, and enhance reliability with cloud optimization strategies.
       

    Practical Track

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    • Scale Your Backend: Optimize servers and databases to handle high traffic and improve response time.
       

    • Set Up Automated Marketing Funnels: Implement email and retargeting automation.
       

    • Use Data Analytics: Analyze customer data to identify trends and make product improvements.
       

    • Introduce Basic AI Features: Implement basic AI-powered features (recommendations, personalization).
       

    • Optimize Cloud Infrastructure: Improve performance and reduce costs by optimizing cloud resources.
       

    Indian vs. International Track

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    • Scaling Challenges in India vs. Global: Learn about infrastructure and cloud service limitations in India.
       

    • Automation Trends: Compare automation adoption rates in India vs. international markets.
       

    • Funding and Valuation Differences: Understand why Indian startups often have lower valuations compared to their global counterparts.
       

     
    Month 6: Exit Strategies, Funding, and Long-Term Brand Building


    Knowledge Track

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    • Exit Strategies: Learn about acquisition, IPO, and secondary sales as exit options.
       

    • Preparing for M&A or IPO: Understand the legal and financial processes for mergers, acquisitions, or going public.
       

    • Fundraising Strategies: Learn how to approach VCs, angel investors, and private equity for funding.
       

    • Brand Building and Thought Leadership: Position yourself and your software brand as industry leaders.
       

    • International Expansion: Learn how to expand your software business globally.
       

    Practical Track

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    • Build an Exit Plan: Create a plan for acquisition or IPO with financial projections.
       

    • Prepare Investor Materials: Create pitch decks, financial models, and term sheets.
       

    • Run a Large-Scale Campaign: Execute a marketing campaign to drive customer acquisition.
       

    • Optimize Your Business for Sale: Make your startup attractive for acquisition through optimized metrics.
       

    • Establish Partnerships: Form strategic alliances with larger companies or industry players.
       

    Indian vs. International Track

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    • Exit Differences: Understand why Indian SaaS startups have fewer IPOs and M&As.
       

    • Funding Trends: Compare VC and PE preferences in India vs. global markets.
       

    • International Expansion Challenges: Learn the hurdles of expanding Indian software businesses abroad.

  • Final Investment Pitch Day: The Grand Finale

    Event Overview:

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    The Final Investment Pitch Day is the culmination of the 6-month program, where all participants present their startups to a panel of investors, startup mentors, and industry experts to raise funds for their million dollar dreams.

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