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Incubator 5 days

Validation Workshop Series

Most startups fail because they build something nobody wants. This 5-day intensive workshop teaches you how to validate your idea before you write a single line of code.

You’ll work through the ELEMENTS framework—a structured approach to problem validation, customer research, solution design, and testing. By the end of the week, you’ll know whether your idea is worth pursuing, who your target users are, and what MVP to build.

This workshop is designed for teams at the very beginning of their startup journey. If you have an idea but haven’t validated it yet, start here.

Curriculum

01

Day 1: Problem Validation

  • Introduction to the ELEMENTS framework
  • Problem identification: what problem are you actually solving?
  • Team formation and role definition
  • Hypothesis creation: stating your assumptions clearly
02

Day 2: Customer Research

  • Interview techniques: how to talk to users without biasing them
  • User persona building: who exactly has this problem
  • Pain point mapping: understanding the depth and frequency of the problem
  • Market sizing: is this problem big enough to build a business around?
03

Day 3: Solution Designing

  • MVP scoping: what's the smallest thing you can build to test your hypothesis?
  • Feature prioritization: MoSCoW method and ruthless cutting
  • Tech feasibility assessment: can you actually build this?
  • Business model canvas: how will you make money?
04

Day 4: Validation Testing

  • Prototype creation: building clickable prototypes in Figma
  • User testing: running sessions with real target users
  • Feedback integration: turning qualitative feedback into actionable insights
  • Iteration cycles: refining the prototype based on real usage
05

Day 5: Mentor Mapping & Demo Day Prep

  • Pitch deck creation: building a pre-seed deck that tells your story
  • Demo day presentation: practicing your pitch in front of mentors
  • Mentorship matching: connecting with domain experts for ongoing support
  • Program graduation and next steps

What You'll Achieve

  • Validate (or invalidate) your startup idea with real user feedback
  • Understand your target users, their pain points, and willingness to pay
  • Have a scoped MVP ready to build
  • Create a pitch deck and deliver it in front of mentors
  • Get matched with mentors for ongoing support

Mentors

Facilitated by startup operators, product managers, and investors who've validated dozens of ideas. Our mentors have built companies, raised capital, and know how to separate signal from noise in early-stage validation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a team to apply?
Yes. Teams of 2-3 work best. Solo founders can apply, but we encourage you to find a co-founder before Day 1.
What if my idea gets invalidated?
That's a win. Better to learn in 5 days than after 6 months of building. We'll help you pivot or refine your idea based on what you learn.
Is this only for tech startups?
No. The ELEMENTS framework applies to any customer problem. We've had teams working on SaaS, hardware, marketplaces, and services.

Ready to Start?

Schedule a Call

Discuss your path with an admissions mentor. No pressure, just clarity.

Schedule a Call