New Jersey Innovation Acceleration Center

We received a grant from Synchrony Bank that supports Lean Startup Training for entrepreneurs in Northern New Jersey. The Lean Startup provides a scientific approach to creating and managing startups and to get a desired product to customers' hands faster. The Lean Startup method teaches entrepreneurs how to drive a startup, how to steer, when to turn, and when to persevere-and grow a business with maximum acceleration. It is a principled approach to new product development. The plan is to introduce the Lean Startup methodology throughout Northern NJ by partnering with other academic institutions within the region (Stevens, Seton Hall, NJCU, and NJIT) to recruit potential participants.

There will be a series of three-session Business Model Canvas workshops that will offer technology-based entrepreneurs the skills needed to develop their own business models. We will leverage the curriculum we previously developed under the Lean Startup Accelerator. The program will offer additional one-on-one coaching to follow the initial training to help entrepreneurs customize a model for their business. This will enable them to respond to the due diligence requirements of potential funders and to create a persuasive case for funders to offer the additional support they need.   

If you have any questions, please reach out to Michael Ehrlich, ehrlich@njit.edu