Executive Summary
The Leaders Lab is for entrepreneurs who come together in an incubator-accelerator setting around a powerful leadership development model. The concept draws elements from two successful entities; TechStars of Boulder and the Social Venture Network of Seattle. The essence is to combine people, thinking and resources in a collaborative environment.
The Leaders Lab develops entrepreneurs through the Institute’s Inside First™ leadership development program, augmented by the Kauffman Foundation’s Fast Trac business planning curriculum, that seeks to integrate head and heart. Seasoned executives, mentors, investors and leadership coaches guide the development of not only the business ideas, but also the character formation of each individual. Participants are organized into small groups of 8 and receive $6000 in seed funding from the Leaders Lab Entrepreneurial Fund. The types of businesses sought range from; tourism and recreation, health and wellness, education and learning, clean tech, energy, and other appropriate fields.
The benefits of participation include…
- Development of comprehensive Business. The program is a “real life” MBA-equivalent!
- Creation of a written Personal Leadership Plan focused on values, purpose and vision.
- Connections with a small group of 8 non-competing entrepreneurs, mentors, and a network of graduates of the Vail Leadership Institute programs.
- Opportunity to pitch investors.
Participants meet regularly to advance their business plans and their understanding and application of organizational leadership on two comprehensive curriculum tracks. They are supported by the intellectual capital brought by the Institute’s Board of Scholars, the White River Council of mentors, and trained leadership coaches.
This modern facility will be located in the heart of the Vail Valley at the Seasons in Avon. The Lab is made up of individual cubicle offices, part time daily use desks, collaborative meeting space, computer work stations, a complimentary coffee lounge, and a leadership library.
Your responsibilities as an entrepreneur in the Leaders Lab include…
- Full participation in the week-by-week seminars, workshops and presentations over the (3) month program.
- Execution of an Incubator Agreement committing a 3% royalty of Gross Business Revenues for five years and a 3% equity stake to the Leaders Lab Entrepreneurial Fund in return for this program support.
The typical applicant for the Leaders Lab will be someone who is…
- An entrepreneur at heart; someone who is willing to initiate, to step-out and take risks.
- Someone who is willing and able to spend (3) months in the Vail Valley developing their business idea or a non-profit social enterprise.
- People committed to the arduous process of starting their own business working in small groups of 8.
- A recent college grad, a serial entrepreneur, someone wanting to leave corporate employment, or anything in between.
To help us advance this concept, please take the survey available in the "Survey Tab" under "Leaders Lab".
“What if we could get model communities in this country, and model institutions, schools, businesses and government units that would become islands of excellence in a sea of mediocrity? What if they could become models and then transport what they learn and become mentors to others so that this whole spirit of stewardship, of servant leadership, of working at the empowerment process through structures and systems could take root and flourish? I honestly think we could heal our country.”
Stephen Covey