Startups 101
Start with a problem. Build something great.
Startups 101 is a free workshop from Genesis that walks participants of all ages and experiences through defining a real problem, talking to customers, and testing assumptions before building anything. Delivered in person across the province, or virtually if you prefer. Free for groups in Newfoundland & Labrador.
Why bring it to
your group
Attendees walk away able to apply problem-identification and customer-discovery skills, whether they go on to start a company, improve outcomes at work, or build something in their community.
A different way of thinking
Startups 101 starts with the problem, not the solution. Attendees get an early look at the way great entrepreneurs think before they build.
A live conversation, not a lecture
Most intro-to-startups content is recorded and one-way. Startups 101 is a live, interactive session, in person or virtually, shaped by the questions your group brings.
What you'll cover
Finding a real problem
Talking to customers
Testing assumptions
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Who Startups 101 is for
Startups 101 works for almost any group with members interested in exploring and applying the skills great entrepreneurs use. The session adapts to the audience, from a small team gathered in a boardroom to a full conference room or lecture hall.
Faculty and instructors
Curriculum-aligned content for any class where students need to spot, articulate, and understand problems well enough to solve them. Useful across business, engineering, computer science, design, and beyond. Genesis brings a current read on the sector and a practical conversation that lands inside the work students are already doing.
Student clubs and societies
Entrepreneurship clubs, coding societies, faculty associations. Genesis runs the session on campus or virtually, on the group's schedule. Members leave with skills they can apply to their next project, internship, or idea of their own.
Associations and conferences
A natural fit for professional associations and conference programming. Attendees walk away with practical skills for identifying problems and testing ideas, useful whether they're leading a team, advancing in their field, or starting something of their own.
Format & logistics
Common Questions
What is Startups 101?
Startups 101 is a free workshop from Genesis, Newfoundland & Labrador's hub for early-stage tech startups. It introduces the skills of entrepreneurship: problem identification, customer discovery, and assumption testing. Genesis delivers it in person to groups across the province, or virtually if a group prefers.
How do I book Genesis to speak to my class or group?
Fill out the request form on this page. Tell us who your group is, how many people you expect, and when you're hoping to run it. A member of the Genesis team will be in touch within a few business days to confirm format and date.
Is Startups 101 really free?
Yes. Startups 101 is free for any group in Newfoundland & Labrador — student clubs, classes, professional associations, teams, conferences, community organizations, truly anyone. No fee, no catch.
How long does the workshop take?
Startups 101 is delivered in one-hour, 90-minute, or two-hour formats. Longer sessions allow more time for discussion and Q&A.
Who is Startups 101 for?
Anyone interested in learning the skills great entrepreneurs use: how to identify a real problem, how to talk to customers, and how to test assumptions before committing to a solution. These skills are useful whether attendees go on to start a company, apply them at work, or use them to build something in their community.
Do attendees need a business idea to participate?
No. Startups 101 is designed for people at the very beginning. Most of the session is spent on problem identification, which is where every successful startup begins.
Where does Genesis travel for sessions?
Anywhere in the province. Genesis is based in St. John's, and travels across Newfoundland & Labrador for group bookings. Startups 101 can also be delivered virtually for groups that prefer it.
What happens after the workshop?
Attendees leave with a clear picture of what comes next at Genesis, including Evolve and Membership. Genesis follows up with the organizer with resources to share with the group.
Where it leads
Startups 101 introduces the way great entrepreneurs work. For attendees who want to keep going, here are the next two steps at Genesis.
Evolve
An eight-week customer validation program for early-stage founders. Real customer interviews, a cohort of peers going through it with you, and a clear answer on whether the problem you're solving is real.
Membership
The ongoing community for founders building Genesis-supported companies. Workspace, peers, coaching,
and the wider Genesis network.
Bring Startups 101
to your group
Share a few details about the audience and the timing. A Genesis team member will be in touch within a few business days.
Have questions before booking? Email programs@genesiscentre.co.