ABERDEEN, S.D. –  The Northern Innovation and Startup Center will host a CO.STARTERS Bootcamp on Nov. 1–2 at the NSU Library.

This hands-on, two-day workshop is designed for busy founders who want a fast-paced opportunity to work on their business. Over the course of 12 focused hours, participants will step away from the daily grind to explore strategy, creativity, and growth—working alongside peers, experienced facilitators, and local founders who will share their stories and insights.

“Startup Weekend is all about giving founders the time and space to actually work on a business idea they may have been thinking about for years,”said Bea Smith, director of the Northern Innovation and Startup Center. “this free Bootcamp is designed to help them work on their business, dedicating 12 focused hours to strategy, creativity, and growth.”

During the bootcamp, participants will identify their customers, refine their concepts, and develop a business model that is practical and sustainable. Whether starting from scratch or improving an existing idea, the event provides useful tools, real-time feedback, and a supportive network to help founders move forward with confidence.

The workshop runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days and covers four main areas:

Part 1: Discover – Understand your business model and how to refine it.
• Cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset
• Building your business model using the Lean Canvas
• Refining your model with customer discovery
• Refining your model through starting small

Part 2: Promote – Learn how to market your business.
• Building relationships through marketing
• Crafting your message
• Choosing your marketing channels
• Developing your “pitch”

Part 3: Build – Explore the foundational steps of financial modeling.
• Distributing your product or service
• Knowing your value (before you set your price)
• Understanding your costs
• Calculating a break-even point

Part 4: Launch – Build momentum by setting clear goals and a plan for success.
• Setting priorities that align with your business vision
• Identifying 30-, 60-, and 90-day milestones
• Creating SMART goals to stay focused
• Developing a plan to track progress and maintain accountability

The CO.STARTERS Bootcamp is led by the Northern Innovation and Startup Center.
For registration and additional information, visit northernstartupcenter.com or email startup@northern.edu.