Startup workshops that build tomorrow's entrepreneurs

The Startup Bug facilitates globally recognized entrepreneurship programs for aspiring founders and innovators
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Trusted by top-tier Programs and Schools worldwide
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World class programs and experiences

Customized learning
Bootstrapping, vibe coding, investment 101, customer discovery, business modeling, and so much more. Curate a tailored training for you students or teams.
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About Startup Sprints
Start your business
Pitch ideas, form teams, and learn how to build a business model. Ultimately, your team will present a fully developed pitch to a panel of investors and advisors.
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About Founder Lab
Experiment and learn
Founders learn how legit startups operate by building Product, Engineering GTM/Sales and Customer Success teams. Practice experimentation and user testing to inform product iteration and team strategy.
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About MVP Startup Studio
Testimonials

You're in good company

Roy Schmidt
Program Manager Startup Support
magnuson center for entrepreneurship
dartmouth college | Hanover, NH
"The Startup Bug has been a great partner in facilitating our program for students interested in jumping into the basics of new startup creation. Thanks to the positive reception from our students and staff, the Founder Lab has become a consistent part of our fall term programming. Students often look back on this program as the starting point of their relationship with our center."
Stuart Krohn
Teacher
view park high school
"The Startup Bug has been an amazing partner with our business capstone class. They work with our students over Zoom and teach them how to build their own elevator pitches that the students present to local Los Angeles leaders. Nick's approach with the students put them immediately at ease and our partnership has been a huge success. I can't give a higher recommendation."
Christian Agbalekpor
Founder, X-lab
mandela washington fellowship
koforidua, ghana
"The Koforidua Startup Bootcamp made a significant impact on our entrepreneurial community by equipping young people with essential startup skills. Despite joining remotely, Nick facilitated his session with remarkable clarity and energy during the hybrid event, leaving a lasting experience. Participants were truly inspired by the experience."
Benson Abila
Founder, m-taka & homeless of kisumu
mandela washington fellowship
kisumu, kenya
"Partnering with The Startup Bug to deliver the KWIWES program has been an invaluable experience for Homeless of Kisumu. The expertise they provided in curriculum development and training of trainers significantly strengthened our ability to support women entrepreneurs in Kisumu. The collaboration has been a pivotal factor in the success of this initiative."
global reach

Impact metrics that inspire

We're proud to have impacted aspiring entrepreneurs all over the world. And the mission is far from over.
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50+
Workshops Led
20+
Universities
2000+
Students
15+
Countries
What it Looks Like

Entrepreneurs in action

Recent Locations

Where budding founders recently caught the bug

Shippensburg, PA USA

The annual Diller Center Innovation Academy (powered by our "Founder Lab" program) hosted by Shippensburg University, invites high school students from > 6 high schools across the county to campus to build sustainable, cleantech businesses.

Kisumu, Kenya

The 2024 Kenyan Women's Initiative for Waste Entrepreneurship and Sustainability was a U.S. Department of State-sponsored "Train-the-Trainers" program that taught female entrepreneurs how to launch sustainable businesses in the waste sector.

Hanover, NH USA

The annual Magnuson Center Startup Weekend (powered by our "Founder Lab" program) teaches Dartmouth College students the basics of new venture creation while exposing students to all of the opportunities at the Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship.

Koforidua, Ghana

The 2024 Koforidua Startup Bootcamp was awarded by IREX and the Mandela Washington Fellowship, allowing us to accelerate 25 adult entrepreneurs' business ideas, introduce them to invaluable mentors, and build a community of innovators.
FAQ

I want to know..

If you don't see an answer to a question you have, hit "Join us" and send us a message.
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What does The Startup Bug do?

We facilitate entrepreneurship education workshops for beginner, intermediate, and advanced entrepreneurs. Our programs vary in duration, content, and purpose, but the foundation lies in teaching core entrepreneurial concepts that help budding founders build successful startups and teams.

Every program embraces experiential learning where participants "learn by doing", which means they aren't sitting through lengthy lectures. They will learn in short lessons and apply their learnings in real time.

Who are your facilitators?

Nick Chagin and Aidan Leahy have 15 years of combined training delivery experience with top-tier clients including the US Air Force, Procter & Gamble, Dell, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, and dozens of universities.

Nick or Aidan will facilitate your program (if you have a preference, let us know!).

Learn more about the facilitation team on our About Us page.

How much do different programs cost?

The short answer is not as much as you would expect. We work with organizations to understand their budget and factor in expenses like facilitator travel and accommodation, program management, and data/website hosting services into the final quote.

Book a time with our sales team to learn more.

Are these programs facilitated online, hybrid, or in-person?

All of the above. The energy of an in-person program can't be beat, but we've facilitated engaging virtual programs all over the world in countries like Kenya, Liberia and Haiti (and a few U.S. locations as well).

Consider a hybrid program if you want to convene all of your participants in one room while The Startup Bug tunes in remotely.

What kind of organizations does The Startup Bug work with?

We primarily work with universities and high schools, both domestically in the United States and abroad.

We are fortunate to also impact youth globally through a variety of U.S. Department of State initiatives.

Lastly, we facilitate workshops for corporations and companies striving to develop more intrapreneurial teams.

What do I receive when I sign up for a program?

Your team will receive:
-Dedicated program management from the initial kick-off call through the end of the program, which includes cadenced planning calls
-A dedicated program website to promote your program
-Marketing flyer templates and digital assets
-Email templates for the stakeholders you'll need to recruit for your program