The Student Innovator Mastermind

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What is the Mastermind?

First time founders at Mason looking to kickstart their business ideas now have a new resource to help them! The Student Innovator Mastermind, created in Spring 2024 assists student entrepreneurs who seek to create and grow a business venture - but need additional support.
🚀 Picture this: a dynamic community of 20+ driven student innovators coming together to supercharge their ideas through peer-to-peer collaboration and shared wisdom. It's not just about networking; it's about unleashing the full potential of their business ideas alongside a squad of like-minded go-getters!

During the 12-week accelerator, selected students will participate in weekly experiential workshops given by seasoned business professionals. Each session is centered around a best practice, strategy, or process that is compelling, transformative, and immediately executable.

What to expect:

  • • The Mastermind group consists of 10+ Mason student innovator/founders and one facilitator, Lisa

  • Shapiro, Assistant Director, and serial entrepreneur. The group meets once a week, in-person, for 1 hour
    Fridays at 1PM for 12 weeks.

    • Participants who meet the program requirements earn a Microcredential badge upon completion of the 12 week program.

    • Each week, students hear from seasoned business experts on best practices, strategy, or process that is compelling, transformative,
    and immediately executable.

    • The group comes together to provide practical advice based on each of our own business experience to help each other overcome
    business challenges.

    • Enjoy a level of accountability as you take action after each week.

    • Provided helpful resources to develop an action plan with milestones.

Spring 2025 - 12 WEEK COURSE OUTLINE:

Week 1: February 21 - Kickoff, meet your mastermind, Intro Presentations, overview of mastermind logistics and goal setting

Week 2: February 28- Entrepreneurship Fundamentals: The principles of entrepreneurship, including mindset, traits, and skills required to succeed as an entrepreneur.

Week 3:  March 7 - Intro to Business Model Canvas: Intro to Customer Segment & Value Proposition

Week 4: No Session - Spring Break (Complete Business Model Canvas)

Week 5:  March 21 – Creating a legal business entity, Visa status constraints, – legal aspects

Week 6:  March 28 – Customer Avatar Development and Intro to Customer Discovery

Week 7:  April 4 – Customer Roles and Understanding Your Segment Buying Ecosystem

Week 8: April 11 - Customer Discovery Interview Techniques and Data Insights

Week 9: April 18 - Go to Market Strategy - Define your sales strategy, including customer acquisition methods, sales channels, pricing strategy, and sales forecast.

Week 10: April 25 –Strategic marketing plan outlining branding, messaging, distribution channels, revenue modeling, and promotional tactics.

Week 11: May 2 – The Art of the Pitch with Gisele Stolz

Week 12: May 9 – Final Pitch Presentation Showcase & Celebration with Mentors and Investors

Our Incubator

A space to incubate your ideas  

Do you have a business idea or want to learn more about entrepreneurship? At the MIX Incubator we support students and faculty from ideation to startup. This space is a resource for students at all stages of their entrepreneurship journey. Start a business, join a team, learn how to pitch your idea, it all happens at the Incubator.

Come explore what we have to offer!

Student Testimonials:

  • “I can’t emphasize enough the importance of the Mastermind and its value to me."

    Zach Suh

  • “The Mastermind accelerator has been a game-changer for my entrepreneurial journey, connecting me with awesome innovators, student entrepreneurs, and brilliant engineers. ”

    Sahil Jagtap

  • “The Mastermind program has been a game-changer, connecting me with the right peers and mentors to finally launch my own business. ”

    Jackie Baek

  • “Before joining the Mastermind, I had no idea where to start with entrepreneurship. This program gave me the structure, support, and insights I needed to go from 0 to 100.”

    Arman Mahjoor

Explore Student Innovations

  • 3D Printer - Prototype

    Our 3D Printer created these cases to help track bats and other wildlife. We printed cases for a Biology Research Project to protect electronic listening devices that needed waterproof enclosures.

  • Utilize Virtual Reality

    VR can be used to virtually travel to far away places, create all new environments, or learn in an immersive experience.

Our Sponsors & Partners

  • Nexigen

    Nexigen is an award-winning IT and cybersecurity partner, providing enterprises, SMBs, and fast-growing startups with expert service, support, and strategic insights.

  • Mason Enterprise Center

    Whether you need mentors, private offices, a shared workspace, conference rooms, or a space to host your events, we provide the capabilities you need to grow your business.

  • Mason Small Business Development Center

    Growing NoVA’s small business community with no-cost advice, training, and resources.

Contact Us

Lisa Shapiro, Assistant Director, Entrepreneur Programs
lshapir4@gmu.edu

Location
Horizon Hall
4475 Aquia Lane
Fairfax, VA