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 a kickoff educational sessions to support teams in exploring product-market fit. There will also be an in-person final session to wrap up content and share learnings amongst the group.
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 and access office hours
- Access a Canvas site with materials to support the customer discovery process
- Prepare for follow-on Polsky Center programs, like the New Venture Challenge
Program Timeline
Application Deadline
The current application deadline has passed.
Application and Eligibility
Team members will be expected to dedicate 8-10 hours/week to the program.
Eligibility requirements:
- Minimum of two teammates who are committed to attending two in-person sessions at the Polsky Center, completing out-of-class assignments, and meeting at least twice with their assigned coach during 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.