Startup
A 6-week, practical sprint with mentors to validate your idea, set up the business, and land first customers — administered by MCCEF (501c3).
Program Overview
6 weeks of founder sprints, mentor check-ins, and working sessions to validate your idea, set up the business, and ship a lean go-to-market plan. The cohort emphasizes practical deliverables, not pitch theater.
Who It’s For
- First-time founders or builders turning a side project into a business
- Idea → prototype stage (pre-revenue or first users)
- Ready to talk to customers, test assumptions, and iterate weekly
Program Summary
A focused 6-week sprint: validate the problem with real customer conversations, define a lean MVP, set up essentials (entity, EIN, bookkeeping), craft your first offer and pricing, launch targeted outreach, then consolidate learnings into a simple go-to-market plan with a few trackable KPIs.
Mentors & Format
Sessions are led by MCCEF staff with guest founders and subject-matter experts. Format includes weekly workshops (2 hrs), optional office hours (1 hr), and peer accountability.
Admissions & Cost
- Status: Applications closed for 2025. Join the interest list for 2026 updates.
- Eligibility: Adults 18+. Teams of two may attend together.
- Tuition: Will be posted with 2026 applications. Limited need-based assistance planned.
FAQ
Time commitment
Plan for 3–5 hours weekly: 2 hours workshop, ~1 hour office hours, and ~1–2 hours of field work.
Do I need a pitch deck?
No. We prioritize real conversations and small tests. Slides are optional.
What happens after?
Graduates join the MCCEF founder circle for ongoing check-ins and partner intros when appropriate.