Bizkitchen: The Juan Great Leap Startup Lab
Over the last few years, I’ve built four successful firms with the help of some really amazing people:
It was then that I realized something – what I really wanted to do was to help people build startups! And so over the last few months, I’ve tried to crank out a system which could help me: a) manage all the existing startups, b) build a value-multiplying ecosystem, and c) create even more startups with more people!
The name we’ve come up with for this system is called Bizkitchen.
The system’s wheels are slowly churning: Bizkitchen set to release around 2-3 more exciting startup concepts in 2013, with several more in deep incubation. (ADDENDUM: Strata was just launched in April 2013)
We plan to release 2-3 startup concepts every year from hereon.
How is this lab different from Startup Accelerators like Startup Weekend or programs like Smart’s Ideaspace or Globe’s Kickstart program?
Well, for starters, you can’t “join” Bizkitchen. It isn’t event-based. You can’t “apply” to it. We create startups in a more grassroots manner. We seek ideas and people out, then if an idea captures our imagination – we will try to help you quickly build a company from scratch: from picking the right founders, to testing the idea using lean startup methodologies, to releasing MVP’s, and ultimately launching. The approach is very organic.
Another very different mindset we have is the inclination towards the bootstrapped approach. One trend we see now is the immediate tendency for entrepreneurs to approach investors, usually sacrificing equity, control, and freedom.
Sometimes, funding is exactly what a business needs to start. Sometimes though, it just isn’t. You CAN bootstrap and be profitable (take a look at this). You can retain equity and control and love what you’re doing. It should always be the first option.
At the very least, in bootstrapping first you can create traction, which in turn, creates a whole lot more bargaining power for you at the investor’s negotiation table.
So wait, if I have an idea for a startup, can BizKitchen help me?
Yep. And you don’t need to join any event, or do a pitch, or submit a business plan. All you need to do is to email me at peter@juangreatleap.com and request a coffeetalk with me.
We can help you:
refine the idea
outline a plan of attack
set you up with co-founders (if you need)
manage your back-end functions: admin, HR, accounting, etc…
recruit your first, critical employees
set-up your first office within our premises or outside
share contacts and resources with ALL the member startups
source your funding
create a calendar of transition from part-time to fulltime in the startup
test your ideas using lean startup methodology
We’ll help you piece your unique startup puzzle together
