Customer Discovery Bootcamp
The Customer Discovery Bootcamp is intended for early-stage ventures to explore their problem-solution fit by engaging directly with potential customers and industry stakeholders.
- Teams will gain experience in the process of customer discovery, including conducting customer discovery interviews
- Polsky staff will facilitate educational sessions to support teams in exploring product-market fit
- Teams will have access to office hours and individualized support
Program Benefits
- Expand your network and gain insight from potential customers and industry stakeholders
- Identify potential partners for future technical and business development
- Receive individualized coaching
- Prepare for follow-on Polsky Center programs, like the New Venture Challenge
Key Dates and Deadlines
Application Deadline
The current application deadline has passed.
Application and Eligibility
Team eligibility requirements include:
- Minimum of two teammates who are committed to attending all three required workshops and completing out-of-class assignments. Team members fully participating in the program will be expected to dedicate 8-10 hours/week to the program.
- Early-stage startup idea – teams are not required to have fully-functioning prototypes or proof-of-concept data
- Current graduate or undergraduate student at the University of Chicago
- Curiosity and enthusiasm for learning about the customer discovery process
Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously completed customer discovery coursework or who are not eligible for other customer discovery programs (i.e. Polsky I-Corps program). Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee and qualified applicants may be invited to interview. Only one application is required per team.
Participants are required to attend five sessions and complete in-class and out-of-class assignments. A minimum of two team members must attend these sessions.