Startup School is a free online course for founders actively pursuing their own startup.

our goals

Throughout the course, we aim to accomplish the following:

  1. Encourage and inspire people to consider starting a company as a way to positively impact the world.
  2. Teach people how to start a startup, and equip them with the resources and tools to help prepare them now and in the future.
  3. Build a community of entrepreneurs who can encourage, teach and support one another.
participation
Participation in the course will follow two tracks:
Startup School
If you/your team are actively pursuing a startup, or will be starting one for the program. Sign up here.

In addition to having full access to all the lectures and group sessions, you will also:

Have virtual group sessions every week via online video.

Have access to a community of international founders through the Startup School forum.

Be responsible for updating Startup School on your progress once a week.

Audit
If you currently don’t have any plans to start a startup in the immediate future, but would like to learn.

You can follow along and have full access to all the lectures and class content, released once a week here.

course format

Lectures will be taught by YC partners
and industry leaders.

Week 1: How to Evaluate Startup Ideas Pt. 1
By Kevin Hale (YC)
Week 1: How to Perform User Interviews
By Eric Migicovsky (YC)
Week 2: How to Set KPIs and Goals
By Adora Cheung (YC)
Week 2: How to Plan an MVP
By Michael Seibel (YC)
Week 3: How Investors Measure Consumer Startups
By Adora Cheung (YC)
Week 3: How Investors Measure B2B Startups
By Anu Hariharan (YC)
Week 4: How to Launch (Repeatedly)
By Kat Manalac (YC)
Week 4: The Mechanics of Growth
By Gustaf Alströmer (YC)
Week 5: How to Avoid Startup Finance Pitfalls
By Kirsty Nathoo (YC)
Week 5: Improving Cofounder Communication
By Kevin Hale (YC)
Week 6: How to Create a Healthy Culture
By Tim Brady (YC)
Week 6: When and How to Pivot
By Dalton Caldwell (YC)
Week 7: How to Improve Conversion Rates
By Kevin Hale (YC)
Week 7: Intro to Pricing
By Aaron Harris (YC)
Week 8: How to Prioritize Your Time
By Adora Cheung (YC)
Week 8: How to Evaluate Startup Ideas Pt. 2 (Unfair Advantages)
By Kevin Hale (YC)
Week 9: Advice for Hardtech and Biotech Startups
By Jared Friedman (YC)
Week 9: Intro to Modern Startup Investments
By Carolynn Levy (YC)
Week 10: How to Talk to Investors About Your Startup
By Kevin Hale (YC) and Adora Cheung (YC)
Week 10: How to Become a $100B Company
By Ali Rowghani (YC)
evaluation

To successfully complete the course, you must submit at least 8 out of your 10 weekly updates and attend 8 out of 10 group sessions.

Startups that complete the course will receive a certificate of completion and have the chance to receive $15K in equity-free funding.