Concept

We are

Milena, Petko, Malvina, Vera, Iglika, Yoan and Ivaylo. Our team has diverse and cross-functional experience in entrepreneurial education and has supported hundreds of startups to grow and excel under the brand of JA Bulgaria.

We use the progression model “From ABC to PhD” - a spiral approach of education as a way to create sustainable entrepreneurial competencies. Last year we decided to go Beyond and create a next level program which helps young graduates, JA alumni (18+) & professionals transform their ideas into working businesses within months.
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Our program is based on blended learning and learning-by-doing which includes both proven educational methodology and practical approach in order to create efficient and sustainable startups.

Concept

The program targets students (BSc, MSc and PhD level) along with young professionals that want to work on creating and developing lean technology startups.
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Beyond applies the open innovation model, meaning the creation of multidisciplinary teams of people with different backgrounds and competences that work in the same teams with the end goal of creating an MVP.
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Following the completion of the program, JA Bulgaria & The Edge: R&BD continue to work with the teams to aid the commercialization and scaling of their startup ideas.

We are focused in three thematic areas, but not limited to them. Therefore all ideas and entrepreneurs are welcome.

Circular economy, sustainability and raw materials

Smart cities and communities

Digital innovations in healthcare and medicine

Programme

01

Entrepreneurial mindset

Entrepreneurship. What it means to be an entrepreneur. Self-discovery and self-awareness. How to build a growth mindset.

Lean startup

02

Lean Startup Methodology. Build-Measure-Learn process. Pivot. Minimum Viable Product.

Business model

03

What is a business model. Business Model Canvas and its components. Working with Business Model Canvas. Business model generation/conception/idea validation

Product-market fit

04

From problem-solution fit to product-market fit/Achieving product-market fit. Customer feedback. Scaling. Go-to-market Strategy.

Legal

05

Intellectual Property. Legal forms. Company formation.

Product development

06

Product development process for startups. Product roadmap.

Finances

07

Acquiring and growing customers. Startup Marketing Strategy. Digital Marketing for startups. Enabling sales.

Marketing & Sales

08

Introduction to finance and strategic thinking. Financial indicators for startups. Calculating the production costs. Revenue models. Raising money. Types of startup funding.

HR

09

Building the team. Tips for team creation. Organizing a team.

10. Equity and investors relations

10

Startup capitalization table. How to choose your investors. The investment process.

11. Productivity

11

Personal productivity. Startup Team Productivity. Strategies and tools. Intrapreneurship.

12. Project Management

12

Startup Project management. Methodologies. Setting goals and planning.