The Fall bootcamp will focus on entrepreneurs looking to start a small business. Whether you're looking to commercialize a family recipe, expand your sneaker-reselling side hustle, or open a franchise business, this is the two-day intensive for you.
This workshop series is designed to get you up and running and ready to go as a small business owner. Learn about how to conduct market research, budgeting, franchise agreements and structures, legal requirements and more. Create your first business budget, learn about how to build a team, and meet other like-minded entrepreneurs.
Come join us and other entrepreneurs for a weekend of networking and development! Registration is absolutely free for the extended SFSU community!
Saturday November 15, 2025
Location: LFCoB Innovation HUB - HUM125
| Time | Session | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | Welcome Breakfast & Networking | Continental breakfast, coffee, teas |
| 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | Define the Business Idea with Design Thinking | A fundamental element of any business is clearly defining what you are selling, and what people are buying. This session is designed to help you articulate your idea. |
| 11:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. | Break & Networking | |
| 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Small Business Law | Learn about what it takes to start an organization, what to consider, and the legal issues at play when deciding to start an organization. |
| 12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. | Lunch | Self-serve lunch included in the bootcamp |
| 1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. | Market Segmentation & Customer Values | Knowing what you're selling goes hand-in-hand with who you are selling to. This session will help you determine who you are selling to, how to reach them, and how to position your product to them. |
| 2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Break | |
| 3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m | Budgeting & Logistical Basics |
Start to build out a forecast to get an idea of your sources and uses of funds. How much start-up capital would you need, and how much in sales can you expect from your venture? We will learn about business budgets and go through the real nuts and bolts of the systems you need in place when you start a business. When and how to you get legal, accounting/bookkeeping help. What about insurance and computer system? These are the things to think about before you make your first dollar of sales. Note: You may want to bring a lap top for this session. Workshop materials will be provided electronically. |
| 4:15 p.m. | Wrap-up, networking | Find out more about the programming and resources that are available to you within the LFCoB. Where to prototype, get help and mentorship, or find co-founders. Learn about seed-funding opportunities with IncuGator and through our Pitch Competitions. |
November 15, 2025
- Define the Business Idea with Design Thinking
- Small Business Law (Mark Ciotola)
- Market Segmentation & Customer Values (Sybil Yang)
- Budgeting & Logistical Basics
Next Step Resources:
- Apply for a free mailbox in the HUB (HUM125) for your SFSU start-up
- If your startup is ready to take the next step, apply for the IncuGator
- If you need help with business, legal or technical consulting, visit us during open consulting hours!
- Are your ready to pitch your business idea? Think about pitching at the SFSU Innovation Pitch Competition!
- Feel like you need to learn more about entrepreneurship? There's a minor program for that: Entrepreneurship Minor.
- Market Segmentation & Customer Values -Sybil Yang, PhD
- Small Business Law - Mark Ciotola, JD, MBA
- Franchise Law - Mark Ciotola, JD, MBA
- Hiring & Building a Team - Susan Roe, PhD
- Business Budgeting Basics - Sybil Yang, PhD
- Define the Business Idea with Design Thinking - Sybil Yang, PhD
- Basic Systems of the Startup -Steve Scher
- Building Your Team & Next Steps -Steve Scher