Weekly Challenges

Challenge 1: Video Face-Off (10% weighted)
Each team will write a 60-second script, test the script in front of at least 10 people, revise it, and then record a 60-second video of a team member reading the script into a webcam.
Challenge 2 - Startup Forensics (10% weighted)
This is an industry crash course exercise in which teams engage in a multi-faceted investigation, using tools such as Google AdWords, Mintel and trade association websites to get up to speed on the industry. Teams must also interview experts and customers to gain deeper insights.
Challenge 3 - CSI Snapshot (10% weighted)
This week we check in with get out of the building progress. Teams at the top of the CSI Leaderboard win this challenge. Each team could also win up to $500 to support research, design or product development over the next four weeks.
Challenge 4 - Storytelling Slam (20% weighted)
Hone your message into a refined, compelling story. You must register a domain name and tell your story on your own website. You may choose from a variety of multimedia tools to help effectively convey the updated message, which could include a video scribe, animation, printed collateral materials, professional voiceovers or other.
Challenge 5 - CSI Final (25% weighted)
We’ll take a final look at the tally on the CSI Leaderboard and add in other points of validation, like surveys, website hits, and letters of intent. Top teams win this challenge. More at CSI Challenge.
Launch Challenge 6 - MVP of the MVP (25% weighted)
We’re looking for the most valuable player with the best minimum viable product. Teams must take their story and put it into action: some kind of concept test that will help determine feasibility. Online teams should have some functionality online. Physical product and service teams must have plans for a working prototype.

How to Win Challenges

Each week, teams will present the deliverables of their challenge to the rest of the class via PPT in class. Peers will vote each week on the winner of the challenge in their section. The instructor will tally peer votes and cast his own equally weighted vote, resulting in weekly challenge winners, which will be posted on the leaderboard.

Note that later challenges are weighted more heavily than early ones. Students on teams that perform within the top 20% in challenges will receive a base grade of High Pass (H). The bottom 10% will receive a base grade of a Low Pass (L). Individual grades will be determined by a combination of the base grade adjusted according to intra-team peer evaluations and instructor evaluation of individual contributions. It is possible for an H team to have an L teammate and vice versa.

Evaluation Criteria for Challenges: Peers and the instructor will vote on challenge winners based on these criteria:

Creative	Employed problem-solving imaginations to tackle the disparate variables presented in this challenge.
Strategic	Worked smart. Made logical, data driven choices. Focused on the right things, not driven to distraction.
Industrious	Worked hard. Made the effort necessary to get the job done well.
+/- Difficulty Factor	Some teams start with a harder project, and you may consider their track record for overcoming obstacles.

Tools of the Trade

To complete challenges, students will be using numerous online tools. You are not limited to these tools.

Dropbox or Box or Google Drive – file sharing
Fiverr – graphic design and multi-media cheap jobs
GoDaddy or Cheapnames– domain registration
Google AdWords – keyword planning
Google Docs – real-time feedback during class
LaunchRock and KickoffLabs – web landing pages
iStockPhoto – quality images

Please email me if you have some tools to add to the list.