CO.STARTERS@AUT programme details

During CO.STARTERS@AUT you develop and fine-tune your ideas, critically examine every part of your business idea and determine the next steps, all through real-time feedback from people in the community.

Cost: how much is your investment?

We're looking for entrepreneurs, business owners and students to be active, engaged and invested in their own personal development and business success, which is why we require a monetary contribution.

Your investment is $1,200.00 (including GST) for the nine-week programme and includes course materials, weekly sessions with a facilitator and guest speakers, and access to community events, networking opportunities and small business resources.

Early bird registration investment is $800.00 (including GST).*

^{*If you register and pay before starting the programme}

AUT students and alumni

CO.STARTERS is free for students subject to getting a fully-paid scholarship, but there is a cost of $180 to cover course materials.

If you're an AUT graduate, you can apply for a 50% discount ($600.00 instead of $1200.00, which includes fee for course materials). Contact us for details.

Businesses

Trading businesses may be eligible for a capability voucher towards CO.STARTERS under the NZTE training scheme.

AUT staff

AUT staff may be able to complete the course as part of their professional development. Contact us for details.

When and where

Each cohort will meet once a week for 10 weeks. Each weekly session is 3 hours.

Tentative start dates

• Thursday 24 September (11am to 2pm)
• Week of 16 November (virtual cohort)

Venue

AUT City Campus
55 Wellesley St
Auckland 1010

Programme topics

• Week 1: Knowing yourself - assumptions, working styles, team building, obstacles
• Week 2: Knowing your customer - problem, solution, benefit, competition, advantage, customer
• Week 3: Getting the relationship right - marketing and message; getting, keeping and growing customers
• Week 4: Building the model to scale - starting small, distribution, revenue, typical sale, price
• Week 5: Business structures and legal considerations - registering a business, licenses and permits, IP, hiring
• Week 6: Discovering your bottom line – startup and ongoing needs, fixed and variable costs, break-event point
• Week 7: Accounting for growth  - break-even point, sales projections, cash flow, accounting
• Week 8: Planning for the future - raising capital, growth plans, goal setting, pitch prep
• Week 9: Practice pitch
• Week 10: Showcase/celebration night - sharing your story and pitching

CO.STARTERS Canvas

The CO.STARTERS Canvas helps you understand, test and refine your business ideas.