College of Charleston Launching Tech Startup Bootcamp

Is a startup for you? Do you have an idea for the next Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat? If you’ve ever thought about starting a tech startup company, the College of Charleston’s School of Professional Studies is launching a Tech Startup Bootcamp aimed at helping budding entrepreneurs turn ideas into reality. The program begins September 29 and runs through November 17 at the college’s North Campus.

The Tech Startup Bootcamp is designed to give entrepreneurs the information, tools and confidence needed to start their own technology business. The course is structured with eight three-hour classes as a combination of lectures, guest presentations, and hands-on work that will focus on topics such as product management, funding, pitching your product, and sales and marketing.

During the program, students will:

• Discover what it takes to turn a tech concept into profitable reality.
• Learn the business, technical and legal issues involved in building a tech startup.
• Participate in guest sessions from local business leaders and investors
• Discover what you need in a pitch presentation so that you can raise funds and attract top talent.

In the final class, students will pitch their business idea to the Harbor Entrepreneur Center for placement in their next 13-week business accelerator program.

The course will be taught by two technology executives with management and startup business experience.

Charles Wyke-Smith is Chief Product Officer of Bublish, a book discovery platform. In 2009, he co-founded PeopleMatter, an HR platform for the services industries. Wyke-Smith has worked in Web product management and consulting roles at Wells Fargo, ESPN Videogames, and Benefitfocus.

Sebastian Steadman is a strategy and technology consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton. He has provided consulting for senior executives at the Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Center. Steadman is a speaker coach for TEDx Charleston and a mentor with the College of Charleston and the Citadel.

The cost of the course is $495. The deadline to enroll is September 22.