INTRODUCTION

Introducing my course "Startup Leadership and Fundraising: A Foundation for Success," the first in the "Who Says You Can't" startup series. Drawing from 37 years of entrepreneurial experience across nine startups, I believe leadership is the most valuable asset in a startup – more important than technology, product, or market opportunity.

Course Structure

This 19-lesson course provides essential foundations for founders before they dive into product development, go-to-market strategies, or scaling operations. The curriculum covers:

The Entrepreneurial Journey

• What drives founders to leave stable careers for startups
• Jothy's personal transition from academia to entrepreneurship
• Lessons learned from founding his first company

Critical Leadership Challenges

• Developing the entrepreneurial mindset
• Determining who should be CEO and recognizing when you might not be ready
• Navigating your first time as CEO
• Understanding founding team dynamics
• Dealing with founders who've gone rogue

Fundraising Fundamentals

• Different funding rounds for startups
• Executing a friends and family raise
• Creating compelling investor pitches
• Understanding Angel Investors
• Working with venture capitalists
• Raising your first price round
• Mastering term sheets
• Surviving due diligence

The Value Proposition

Jothy shares that his course delivers real-world knowledge from someone who's been in the trenches, including:

• Why investors are not your friends (a lesson that cost him millions)
• How to think like a VC to anticipate their moves
• The psychology behind successful fundraising
• Leadership challenges rarely discussed elsewhere
• Honest lessons from failures, not just successes

The Complete System

This course is part one of a four-course comprehensive startup education system:

1. Startup Leadership and Fundraising: The essential foundation
2. Building Your Business from MVP to Profitability: Product development and market fit
3. People and Culture: Building the startup dream team
4. Mastering Startup Operations, Exit Strategies and Beyond: Advanced leadership topics

Each course builds upon the previous one, creating a roadmap for startup success at $375 per course, with discounts for multiple purchases.