BRAIN TRUST

Kick-Off Meetup

March 31 , 2015

BRAIN TRUST

HAPPENING TONIGHT

1.  Brain Trust Overview

2.  Q & A

3.  Initial Meetups Setup

BRAIN TRUST

A BIG THANK YOU

BRAIN TRUST

INTERCONNECTED NETWORK

� The Brain Trust aims to engage

experienced and emerging

entrepreneurs within a

collaboration framework

designed to maximize the success rate of new and growing

businesses. It provides

entrepreneurs the support they

need in their journey. This program

was created by entrepreneurs to the benefit of entrepreneurs.

BRAIN TRUST

� Missing from the N. Alabama landscape:

"Rubber meets the road" answers to entrepreneurial questions. Advice which fills in critical gaps. Support which goes beyond the academic basics.

You need a safe trustworthy place to discuss ideas and hash out challenges.

� You want help to avoid repeating mistakes others have made.

� You want an opportunity to give back and feel appreciated.

� WHY THE BRAIN TRUST?

BRAIN TRUST

HOW WE CONNECT

� Getting involved means attending activities and meet peers face to face.

� Activities are designed to sharpen skills while having fun:

•  Focus group meetups

•  One-on-one coaching and mentoring

•  Training & Orientation

•  On demand problem solving

•  Other gatherings like pitch sessions, happy hours, boot camps, celebrations, and competitions

� You join and get involved. Members only!

OUR VISION

A startup community that represents our diverse make-up. At its core: a network of successful entrepreneurs that give back.

� Engaging

� Launching

� Accelerating

� Connecting � Educating

FROM IDEA TO STARTUP

Entrepreneur Startup

ONLINE CO.STARTERS BRAIN TRUST SLINGSHOT

O N B O A R D I N G G R O W T H

Engage

Learn

Master

Mentor

EVENTS

Connect

The Brain Trust program provides a starting place for those who are not sure where to begin and for those that have graduated

from our acceleration programs.

BRAIN TRUST

WHO BENEFITS?

� Entrepreneur

•  You want to start a business.

•  You are starting a business.

•  You have a business now and need help.

•  You have a business now and need to take it to the next level.

•  You want to go big and need some major resources. •  Find your path.

•  Discover the answers to the questions you do not know to ask.

•  Shake loose of your detractors.

� Does this Describe You?

BRAIN TRUST

WHO BENEFITS?

� Mentor You have experience as a successful business owner and want to give back.

� Coach or Advisor You have specialized knowledge and want to contribute while making others aware of your expertise.

� Investor You have made your money and want to invest wisely. You have no stomach for mindless speculation and want access to solid opportunities with full transparency.

� Does this Describe You?

BRAIN TRUST

WHO BENEFITS?

� Facilitator You love to help others succeed and enjoy accommodating connections.

� Volunteer You are excited and just want to be part of the genesis of this movement.

� Sponsor You are a product or service provider and need to reach an exciting group of influencers who will be shaping the areas future.

� Does this Describe You?

BRAIN TRUST

HOW THE BRAIN TRUST WORKS

1.  Join Brain Trust Meetup Group

2.  Agree to the Code of Conduct

3.  Agree to the liability release

4.  Get engaged

5.  If you need help - contact Alan Derrick

� How meetups are run:

•  Round table format with a facilitator to keep us on track. •  Multiple people in the same boat. •  Mentors, advisors, and coaches with seasoned

experience or specialized skills.

� Getting Started

BRAIN TRUST

ON-LINE

Rocket Hatch http://braintrust.rockethatch.org

Meetup http://meetup.com/braintrust •  News distribution •  Calendar of events •  Communication between members •  File and image hosting •  Member profiles

Linkedin http://linkedin.com •  Resumes

BRAIN TRUST

GET PLUGGED IN

� Meetup.com is our portal and platform where we

exchange real time information.

�  Linkedin works in concert with Meetup and acts as

our on-line resume so others can know you.

BRAIN TRUST

PRINCIPLES OF CONDUCT

� All Brain Trust participants are united behind these principles:

•  The purpose of the Brain Trust is to foster success for the entrepreneur.

• All activities are conducted in a transparent and ethical manner.

• We participate and contribute in an unbiased, positive, and constructive way.

• We recognize and support the uniqueness of individual needs while encouraging cross fertilization of minds.

• We treat all information with the utmost of confidentiality.

• We reveal and avoid situations involving conflicts of interest, real or perceived.

• Above all else, we do not get in the way of the entrepreneur.

BRAIN TRUST

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU

� Active participation

•  Typically 2 hours every other week.

•  Some of you will want to do much more.

•  Participation level is up to you.

•  The more you put in, the more you get out.

� Orientation

•  How to play nice, etiquette, etc.

•  How to get what you want from the program.

•  Code of Conduct.

•  Sign off - At your own risk!

BRAIN TRUST

KARMA AS CURRENCY

� Everyone is a recruiter.

• We are lean. You are our advertising medium. • Bring two people you know.

BRAIN TRUST

DUES AND EXPENSES

• We think that it will be $50/year.

• Cut in 1/2 at $25 this year as we ramp up.

• Collected annually. You will be billed later. Try before you pay.

•  In addition, some activities are pay as you go.

• Other activities are covered by sponsors.

BRAIN TRUST

WHEN

� We want your suggestions.

� Morning, Lunch, Afternoon,

or Evening. What time of day is best?

� Sun, Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs, Fri, or Sat. What days

are best for you?

� Other

BRAIN TRUST

WHERE

� Confirmed venues •  Design Lab •  Huntsville Madison County Chamber of

Commerce

� Any other suggestions? •  Audience suggestions

� Where do meetups and other activities take place?

BRAIN TRUST

LET’S SET UP SOME MEETINGS

S O M E I D E A S

•  Entrepreneurs in the Startup Phase.

•  Entrepreneurs in Business.

•  Entrepreneurial Spirits Who Need Direction.

•  Advisory Committee.

•  Mentors, Advisors, Coaches, Investors

S U G G E S T E D AT T H E E V E N T

•  Small Team Leadership.

•  Product Development & Manufacturing.

•  Artist + Community.

•  Food.

•  Gaming & Cartoons.

www.rockethatch.org