Class 4: August 27, 2026 · ENTR 5000
Notes from August 27, 2026. These notes record the discussion and instructions given that day. For current requirements and due dates, use the assignment guidelines and semester schedule.
Two tracks for every sprint
Each sprint should advance both technical capability and entrepreneurial learning. Technical goals can include coding, prompting, computer use, hosting or understanding software architecture. The entrepreneurial track asks what must be true for an idea to create enough value that people will support it.
Choose a hypothesis and a way to learn about it. Useful methods include researching existing alternatives, observing real work, interviewing potential users, examining communities where problems are discussed, and studying why comparable businesses failed. AI can help organize research and identify places or questions to investigate; it does not replace evidence from the people and setting involved.
The goal is to become able to face a new challenge and plan how to learn what it requires. Existing expertise changes the appropriate learning goal; everyone does not need an identical technical assignment.
Learning should change the build
The six-meeting cadence was clarified as kickoff/proposal → build → build → feedback → build → present. The first Thursday is a building day; the middle and final Thursdays provide feedback. Most building and feedback happen in class, while fieldwork and research often happen outside it.
A hypothesis or planned product can change during a sprint when the evidence supports it. The final presentation should explain what was built, what was learned, and how that changes the next cycle. Pay attention to small frustrations: a modest improvement can create meaningful value when it addresses a repeated user problem.
Prepare for Tuesday, September 1
- Everyone: bring a first-sprint idea, a hypothesis to investigate, initial steps for learning about it, and one to three technical skills you want to develop.
- If you already have a venture or work underway: also prepare a current-state summary of less than one page, roughly 300–400 words or shorter, covering development and progress toward market. AI assistance is allowed for this informational summary.
- Use the Google Doc template to be shared in Slack. This first submission is completion-based: show thoughtful, reasonable effort rather than trying to guess an unannounced rubric.
- If you are stuck choosing an idea, ask for help.