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GUILD Academy
2021 EDITION
From Idea to Launch in 8 Weeks
Are you ready to build your dream business with the right tools and support from world-class entrepreneurship experts and investors?
Are you ready to put in the work and share this journey with a global community of like-minded female entrepreneurs and investors?
Then this unique 8-week online program is for you.
Applications are open for January 17th 2021 start
Launch Your Business Silicon Valley Style
equity free
hands-on
weekly live expert sessions
small cohorts
1:1 coaching
pitch opportunity
In just eight weeks I went from idea to launching a public benefit corporation ... , all thanks to the GUILD Academy and Anne Cocquyt's fantastic coaching.
Chelsey Glasson, Founder of Crucé
The GUILD Academy
Your fast track to entrepreneurship
Build Your Business
Silicon Valley Style
Are you ready to learn how to become a successful entrepreneur?
The GUILD Academy is for you if you just need that extra push to make your ideas a reality.
Imagine building your entrepreneurial confidence alongside an actual prototype you will launch within 8 weeks.
The GUILD Academy is the fast track towards building your business and realizing your dreams.
We helped 100+ companies take their idea to launch since we started offering this program in January 2020
Enrolling in the GUILD Academy was on my bucket list for a while, and boy am I happy that I finally took the leap and completed the course! I've worked in product development and design for over a decade at some of the world's most notable tech companies including Google and Facebook. All those years I dreamed of using my skills to start my own company, but I hadn't the slightest clue as to how to get started. Launching a company felt risky, daunting, complicated...surely not something I could do.
Fast forward to today and in just eight weeks I went from idea to launching a public benefit corporation called Cruce, all thanks to the GUILD Academy and Anne Cocquyt's fantastic coaching.
While the GUILD Academy walked me through the basic steps of launching a company and facilitated introductions to needed collaborators and advisors, Anne's personal coaching helped me overcome the limiting beliefs (e.g. you can't launch a company while raising two young kids) that had always held me back. I especially appreciate how available Anne always was for my questions, big or small, and all of the helpful supplemental resources and templates she sent my way as I worked through new tasks.
A huge thank you to Anne and everyone at the GUILD for helping me realize my dream!
Chelsey Glasson, Founder of Crucé
"Terrific resources, tools, and weekly challenges that push me to take actual steps and help me to get closer to my dream. Plus the opportunity to ask questions and receive support anytime :-)
Thank you!!”
GUILD Academy Participant Cohort 1
"I absolutely love the GUILD Academy materials (packed with nuggets of wisdom) and the guest speakers are super helpful. This journey is amazing, I learned so much. It challenges me in so many ways, nudging me to be courageous, and yes, the journey is indeed the reward!"
GUILD Academy
Participant Cohort 1
"This Accelerator is exactly what I needed. Girlfriends are a great personal support system, but only other female entrepreneurs can truly understand what you are going through. They are kindred spirits who understand the journey, will hold you accountable, and is a community you can call when you need an ear."
GUILD Academy Participant Cohort 2
"This program is truly one of a kind - it's nothing short of extraordinary. One of my favorite aspects of the academy are the weekly live AMA sessions with an industry superstar where I can ask individual questions and make a connection with them"
Hallie Salko, Founder Bluppy AI
WHAT IF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
DIDN'T LOOK LIKE THIS
BUT MORE LIKE THIS
OR THIS
"As someone with no experience in business or entrepreneurship, the academy has been the blueprint I needed to make my idea a reality. It provided the exact steps and the right resources for me to launch my MVP and get the first paying customers. Anne & her team did a phenomenal job with the content, and choosing the right experts. They supported us every step of the way, answering questions, providing perks, webinars, resources, basically anything we needed. The 1:1 sessions with Anne were invaluable to get the feedback I needed on my pitch and progress. I'll definitely refer back to the learnings from the academy often as I progress with my business. It's been one of the best decisions I've made. Thank you GUILD academy!"
Lirida Kercelli, Founder Learnable (cohort 1)
The Program
The program takes you on a guided journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur in 8 clear steps. Once you get the basics right, you will have the confidence to grow your business to the next level. We invite entrepreneurs, professors and industry experts to share their expertise and we use the methodology of rapid prototyping proven to launch multi-billion dollar businesses in Silicon Valley. You will go through a number of iterations of your product or service during the program, without losing sight of self care.
Modules
The GUILD Academy is an 8 week - 8 module program (+4 bonus modules). The core of each module is a ~15-30 min video session taught by a Silicon Valley expert and highly curated content to dive deeper. No Blah Blah! Every week you will have an assignment and check in on your progress.
Live Ask Me Anything Sessions
After every step, there will be an AMA session to help you resolve any questions you might have. These sessions will be moderated by a GUILD host and are joined by one of the industry superstars. This is your chance to connect live with world-best experts and get your questions answered.
Tools & Workbook
Using tools and learning by doing are part of what it takes to efficiently build and manage your business. Each week you will get bite-sized exercises in the GUILD Academy workbook to apply the learnings. We also share our favorite tools and proprietary templates to build and grow your business.
Mastermind Circles
Peer support is one of the secrets on your journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Get feedback from your mastermind circle during the program.
Stronger Together!
Curated Content
Every module has an expert to help you get the basics right, but learning is so much more diverse. We offer you a complimentary curated library with the best global content to dive deeper.
The GUILD Membership
After graduation, you will continue to have access the GUILD community platform and the the GUILD Academy alumni group. Continue growing your business alongside inspiring women from across the globe.
"I’ve grown more in the last week than in 4 years in university. Although USF is an exceptional institution, the Guild provides education in more ways than one. I am learning so much and it has only been a week! The material is presented in such a clear concise manner that it is easy to understand. Often times, I have experienced people explaining something so much to the point of confusion rather than clarity. But not with The Guild. I am very grateful for you Anne and the community you have put together here. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I will be able to achieve my goals not just in business but in life"
Silvana Angulo, Founder of LashMap (Cohort 2)
Finalists of our First Demo Day
The Experts
We assembled some of Silicon Valley's finest and most reputable experts to share their top insights with you and give you feedback and advice. You will meet these experts either in engaging 15min video segments each week, recordings from past webinars, at live "Ask Me Anything" Sessions or at the virtual demo day at the end of the program.
Founding Partner & CEO Edison International
Partner
Lightspeed Venture Partners
Co-Founder
Global Scaling Academy
Author of Blitzscaling
Managing Partner
Prototype Thinking Labs
Angel Investor
Aletta Angels
Advisor, Mentor, Investor, Founder/co-host of Care by Design Podcast
Founder of the GUILD
GUILD Academy host
Co-founder and Chief Brand Officer, Red Antler
Entrepreneur in Residence at 500 Startups
Managing Director Business Models Inc.
Author
Founder
Qualitative User Researcher Facebook
Founder and Managing Director
HealthTech Capital
Angel Investor
Golden Seeds
Co-Founder & CEO
YouNoodle
VP SAP.iO
Business Development & Partnerships Manager
iFundWomen
Professor of Entrepreneurship
Hult International Business School
Founder
Jenny Kassan Consulting, Author "Raise Money On Your Own Terms"
Founder and CEO
SmartUp.life,
Author "10 Faces of Innovation" and "The Entrepreneur's Faces"
Founding Partner
Spero Ventures
Dr. Lyndsey Harper
Founder and CEO
Rosy
Co-founder
CapitalT
Jennifer Neundorfer
Co-Founder and Managing Partner Jane VC
CEO & CO-Founder
invisu.me
Dr. Elsa Jungman
Founder & CEO @Dr. Elsa Jungman (ELSI)
CEO and Founder of
Milk Stork
Business Builder, Marketing Strategist, Best-selling author, Board Member
Founder & Partner
Grit Ventures
Angel Investor
Founder
AVRA Talent Partners
Paul Brassard
Managing Partner and Lead Advisor at Volition
Founder and Chief Creative Officer
Noise 13
CFO & Strategy Designer
Business Model Inc.
Our Partners & Sponsors
We are proud to present our global partners.
Want to become a partner? Contact us
SHOWCASE
As a GUILD Academy participant who has completed the program you will have the opportunity to showcase your company.
If you complete the program, the presenting companies will have a chance to showcase their ideas in front of Silicon Valley angel investors and VCs.
YOUR GUILD ACADEMY HOST
Anne Cocquyt
Founder & CEO The GUILD
Anne is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for connecting people. After a career in the corporate world of IT, finance and digital health, she developed and sold a consumer product startup, acquired a startup and founded the GUILD (letsguild.com).
The GUILD is an AI-powered community of entrepreneurs and innovators from 50+ countries to connect and learn together. In 2020 Anne helped over 100 entrepreneurs in the GUILD Academy programs launch their business. She mentors, advises and coaches startup founders in rapid prototyping, business strategy, go to market and growth. Anne ran Genentech’s first global startup competition and continues to offer the GUILD’s founder funder programs and virtual summits to change the odds for female entrepreneurs.
How much does it cost?
This is an equity-free program!
EARLY BIRD
(expires 12/17 11:59pm PST)
SPECIAL $997
instead of $1,997
THE ULTIMATE PACKAGE
8 week program
+ 4 BONUSES
Access to the GUILD Academy Online Curriculum on Desktop and App
Weekly Live AMA Sessions with Experts
Mastermind Circle
Weekly Planning Assistance
Tool Box & Workbook
Done-For-You Templates (Financial Planning Excel, Checklists, etc.)
Curated Content Library for each Module
Hands-on Support from the GUILD Academy team
2 x 30 min 1:1 Coaching Sessions (value $499)
1-year GUILD PRO membership (value $279.99)
SERENDIPITY virtual summit VIP pass (value $299)
Virtual Showcase with Top Investors
Certificate of Completion
$50k perks, prizes and discounts
BONUS:
Startup Finances Module
Product Success Metrics Module
Competitor Template
Team Module
Quantitative Research Module
“I wanted to let you know that from the founder/funder session, I got to meet a VC and they are making an investment. Thanks so much.”
Jill Bourque
Founder & CEO RushTix
“Highly actionable sessions. Transformational experience with high quality content and the same incredible attendees of high caliber that I am matched with on the GUILD. I loved the diversity and relevance of every session.”
SERENDIPITY Unconference attendee 2019
“Thanks to the GUILD founder funder program, I got introduced to a company I invested in at the beginning of Aletta Angels"
Anke Huiskes
Founding Partner Aletta Angels
"This week was so incredibly helpful in helping me realize exactly what I need to focus on both now and later down the line in my business model! It is awesome to see everything coming together so cohesively as we move forward in the program!”
GUILD Academy Participant
"I feel prepared every time I walk into a business meeting (for my startup) and without a doubt in my mind the GUILD Academy helped me feel that way."
GUILD Academy Participant
“This was the most useful session on pitches. I learned a lot just by listening to the investor’s feedback"
GUILD Academy Participant
About The GUILD
Since 2016, the GUILD offers its members a global community, an online platform and curated 1:1 meetings as well as unique online and offline events. Join a community of like-minded women and connect, learn, and grow together.
Scholarships
Changing the Odds for Female Entrepreneurship
The GUILD Academy offers the world's first tailored online program with peer support for the next generation of female entrepreneurs. Female entrepreneurs are still an underrepresented group of innovators and need your support to get access to the education, resources and networks in order to launch successful businesses.
Consider sponsoring 5, 10 or more female entrepreneurs to gain access to this unique program. Partner with us and get a scholarship package.
Is this program for you?
Are you passionate about starting your own successful business?
Are you ready to learn new exciting skills and connect with awesome women around the world? And most importantly: are you ready to put in the work? Yes?
Then this is for you!
What if I already launched my business?
Please take a look at the curriculum and check if you could benefit from the different modules. You can also check the business readiness checklist to evaluate where you are in your business. At the end of the program you will be able to respond to all questions with "Yes". https://www.letsguildacademy.com/checklist
Can I apply for a scholarship?
We encourage women from all backgrounds to send us an application for a scholarship! Include why you are in need of a scholarship, what your business idea is and how far you've made it so far. Include your monthly household income and what you would do with the $$$ you save by receiving a scholarship. Please send us an application via email.
What type of business idea can I apply with?
You can apply with any type of business idea which has a service or product to offer and is scalable beyond your home market. Whether it is building a wine tasting platform, a virtual travel service, a smart baby monitor or a digital diagnostics company. We help you iterate and test your ideas with "rapid prototyping" methodologies which is not suitable for opening a local restaurant or selling a product on an e-commerce store. If you have any doubts, please contact us at
What if I don't have an idea right now?
We built the Academy in a way that anyone wanting to learn the skills to rapid prototype a business can participate. If you don't have an idea with which you want to participate in the Academy, we encourage you to go through the IDEA FACTORY which is a 4 week program offered by the GUILD before the Academy. In the Idea Factory we run you through the first module of the GUILD Academy in 4 weeks so that you have a head start. How to join? Go to https://letsguild.mn.co/all-courses and select the PRO membership.
Does it matter where I live in the world?
It does not matter! We will teach you the universal skills you need to launch a business. On top of that, you can learn from those who built a successful business in the heart of entrepreneurship, Silicon Valley. You will learn from the best and apply the same methods in your region and country.
What if this timing doesn't fit my calendar?
We will launch new cohorts of our GUILD Academy in 2021.
This cohort will accept 50 founders globally. We will accept on a rolling basis, when you apply, you will be notified about your selection within 2 days of applying, so you can make arrangements accordingly. If we are at full capacity early, we will open up a waiting list for the next cohort.
What if I want to start a non-profit?
If you want to start a non-profit, you can definitely participate and benefit from learning the skills and the method we use in the program. The main difference between a for and non-profit business is the legal structure and where profits end up. As a non-profit you need to have good product-market fit, a clear target audience and awesome marketing and fundraising strategy, just like any for-profit business. We will not cover non-profit specific topics but focus on validating your product or service idea as part of your non-profit.
How much time should I attribute to the program?
Budget at a minimum of 5 - 10hrs per week. This is for the AMA session, the video module, digging into additional content, connecting with your mastermind group and your workbook task. We ensure that you set goals at the beginning of the program. Depending on your goals your time effort will differ widely. Some weeks will be more intensive with regards to your tasks than others. Building a startup is not a small task and we will help you create a plan and set expectations with regards to outcomes as well as time commitment.
How do you select who gets admitted?
As long as you have an idea or want to develop an idea that is something that can scale beyond your immediate home market and it is not a coaching business or a consulting company, it is likely that you get accepted.
What happens if I miss a week?
You are more than likely to follow along if you miss one week’s module and you can make up for it in the next week. If life happens and you won’t be able to follow the program at a certain point, you will be able to access all video modules and content even after the program. You won’t have the support from your peer mastermind group, however you will have access to the community channel and ask any questions when you do the program on your own terms. You will also have access to the GUILD community for additional support and connections.
Do I have to pitch?
If you don’t feel comfortable pitching at the end of the program, you don’t have to pitch. But it’s great practice and a safe space!
Can I get a refund?
Updated November 2020: If you do not see results after the first 2 weeks, you show up to the welcome session and our first AMA session, you send in your workbook exercises of the first two weeks and then you tell us that you don't love it, you'll get your money back. Yes, that's how convinced we are that you'll love it.
In certain cases and if you can present aggravating circumstances, we can give you a voucher for a future cohort. We decide on a case-by-case basis. If you are not convinced that this program is for you, please consider other programs.
Can I access the material at any point in time? Even after the course?
Yes, you will have lifetime access the materials of the course AND you will get access to the GUILD Academy Alumni group on the GUILD platform where we post new relevant content.
How do I interact with other participants?
You will be able to interact with everybody in the course via the GUILD course platform. This is like a Facebook group but better. You can also interact with anybody in the GUILD in the general GUILD platform.
You can opt to join a mastermind group of 4 peers and discuss weekly topics. We give you a discussion topic for your mastermind group every week
We will invite you to a “meet and greet” online session at the start of the program and you will receive weekly invited to AMA (Ask Me Anything) live websessions where you can ask your questions and hear other people’s questions.
Do I need a tech business idea to join?
No, you can apply with any idea. Check the curriculum to see if this is what you want to learn about.
What happens after the academy?
You can join our exclusive alumni group on the GUILD platform. We are constantly working on new materials and will provide you with access to new courses, materials and webinars that are part of your membership.
Contact
San Francisco
