Empowering entrepreneurs through software development literacy
THE CHALLENGE
As technology supports the commercialization efforts of nearly every business, it is increasingly important for entrepreneurs to possess basic literacy in the terms, tools, and processes of software development to effectively and confidently engage with a team to build their solution.
Technology is a pivotal value driver for many companies inside and outside of the tech sector. From native plant-focused greenhouse owners who want to help their customers better plan their gardens, to start-up cofounders looking to improve how 8–12-year-olds and their parents engage in learning about menstrual health, many entrepreneurs are starting businesses that are founded in or supported by custom technology solutions. Yet, those entrepreneurs are often experts in their business and the related subject matter—not in the process of developing those tools with a software development team. This knowledge gap can further limit entrepreneurs from underrepresented or marginalized groups, diminishing their confidence and limiting access to critical business launch and development funds as a result.
THE PEOPLE
Entrepreneurs who want to build a digital solution for their business with confidence and efficiency
Software designers and developers who want to build an effective solution for their client
Investors and funders who want to see the potential value of the business idea brought to life
Working through goal setting on an individual, business, and MVP-level
OUR SOLUTION
To address this need and support entrepreneurs, we designed a series of hands-on, practice-based workshops that demystify the software development process and equip participants with practical tools to collaborate effectively with design and development teams, whether that be a single tech co-founder or a full-service design and development agency. The workshops were designed with practice in mind: increasing participant comfort with the terms and tools used in software development through active individual engagement and collaboration with cohortmates.
Participants share what they learned, found challenging, and plan to do as a result of their homework
Key features include:
Tools for problem definition and feature prioritization, including scalable templates available for immediate use, to better understand the problems being solved
1:1 mock scoping calls with experienced technologists, giving insight into the factors that surround the familiar answer of “it depends”
Pro bono project engagement with early-career technologists to further gain practice with project scoping and communicating with an external team
RESULTS & IMPACT
By the end of the series, entrepreneurs who are actively engaged are expected to be able to:
“(These workshops were) instrumental in defining the vision and priorities for our initiative”
“(This experience provided) exceptional guidance in MVP development, goal setting, and effective communication with technology professionals”
Better speak to how software development works, in everyday language and with their business context in mind
Clearly communicate their business goals, challenges, and current state in a variety of visual ways that are common to design teams
Effectively engage with a pro-bono development or design team to make progress on their business goal(s)
NEXT STEPS
This program originated to serve entrepreneurs in Southeast Minnesota, with an emphasis on supporting underrepresented or marginalized groups. Nationwide demand has encouraged us to explore further development of an online, asynchronous program with similar goals, with an estimated launch date of late Summer/Fall 2025.