How Estonian start-ups can become world-leading companies.
If you are pre-revenue for your new venture, we call you an APPRENTICE ENTREPENEUR
STEP 1: FIND A FOIL
Before you even formulate your idea, you need a second person who agrees with you ethically and philosophically but has the opposite character type.
Typical combinations include extrovert/introvert, creative/realistic and starter/finisher.
STEP 2: GO TO MIKKELLER AND WRITE YOUR FIRST BEERMAT
Elevator Pitch, First Customer, Mentor
STEP 3: ATTEND OUR SALES ON A BEERMAT WORKSHOP
Discover if you’re a ‘Magnet’, ‘Maker’ or ‘Monitor’.
We help you refine your strapline and Elevator Pitch and show you how to sell.
STEP 4: VISIT YOUR FIRST MENTOR
Enlist your Mentor’s help in finding your First Customer, for an initial sale of €10,000, as ‘training’.
STEP 5: SECURE YOUR FIRST SALE OF €10,000
You are now a SEEDLING (working from home). Build a balanced mainly virtual Founding Team of Cornerstones (Sales, Delivery, Finance etc.….). Double sales.
STEP 6: FIND AN OFFICE OR SHARED WORKSPACE
You are now a SAPLING. Grow to 20 people. Double sales again, and again.
STEP 7: THE BIG DECISION: ‘BOUTIQUE’ OR ‘UNICORN’
If your desire is to secure a billion-dollar valuation, then identify and nurture a ‘Grown Up’, someone already experienced in running large companies.
STEP 8: IDENTIFY 100 TARGET CUSTOMERS IN A WESTERN COUNTRY (e.g., UK)
We can assist you with this task.
STEP 9: REFINE THIS LIST TO 30 HOT PROSPECTS
We can assist you with this task.
STEP 10: SECURE YOUR FIRST FOREIGN CUSTOMER
Set up a low-cost sales office in a location near your First Customer
We can assist you with your first sales visits.
STEP 11: IDENTIFY 30 PROSPECTS IN A LARGER MARKET (e.g., USA)
Repeat the process. Set up a local sales office there. You are now a MIGHTY OAK
We can assist you with this task.
STEP 12: SET UP IN THAT TERRITORY
Become a Unicorn. Don’t be Evil. Create your own Legacy and Pass It Forward
We look forward to seeing you back in Mikkeller!
