Program History

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PhillyiHub is operated in partnership with Mt. Airy CDC. MACDC Business Services Coordinator Aaron Crump founded PhillyiHub in 2016, alongside David Simons of Kingdom Social Media. In fall 2021, with the support from the Wells Fargo Open for Business initiative, Mt. Airy CDC partnered with Fairmount CDC to expand access to the program for neighbors in Fairmount, Brewerytown, Francisville, Sharswood, and Spring Garden.

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Typical Curriculum

** PLEASE NOTE: Curriculum subject is to change for future cohorts. **

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A schedule of six, three-hour classes is led by David Simons. The outline of 2024 classes is tentatively as follows:

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WEEK ONE: How to Find Your Winning Idea

• What are the key skills, resources, and knowledge you need to be an entrepreneur?

• Do you have the right product or service?

• Identifying the right customers that will pay for your product or service

• How will you fund your startup?

 

WEEK TWO: Testing Your Business Idea

• Determining market demand for a product or service

• Customer interviews and market research

• Competition and industry research

• Utilizing the Lean Canvas model to validate your idea

 

WEEK THREE: Pricing & Money

• How do you price your product or service?

• Determining the amount of capital you need to start your business

• How much money do you need to keep the business going (cash flow)?

 

WEEK FOUR: How to Market Your Business Effectively

• Branding and articulating your message and unique value proposition

• Strategies for startups to find the right customers

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WEEK FIVE: Sustaining Business Through Operations

• Location of the business

• Licensing, legal, and insurance

• Hiring the right team and outsourcing

• Developing operational processes for a sustainable business model through systems and technology

 

WEEK SIX: Visualizing Your Business Through the Lean Canvas Model

• Each person presents their business model canvas and gets feedback from classmates and invited guests

• Share community resources and next steps