The second workshop in the Startup Basics programme covers a key part of your entrepreneurial journey: understanding your customer.

In this workshop we'll cover:

• Introduction to customer validation – we’ll clearly explain what customer validation is, why it matters and how real companies have changed their ideas after speaking to customers. No jargon, just practical examples.
• How to identify your customers – we’ll guide you through how to work out who you should be talking to and why.
• Customer personas – you’ll create a simple customer persona to clarify who you’re targeting and what problem you’re trying to solve. This is mostly individual work, but you’re welcome to chat to things through with others.
• Talking to customers – we’ll show you how to move from ideas on paper to real conversations, including where to find potential customers and how to approach them.
• Good questions vs bad questions (quick game) – a relaxed group activity where you’ll spot which questions actually get useful insights.
• Your first conversations – you’ll identify three real people you could speak to and draft five questions you’d like to ask them.
• Relaxed networking – we’ll finish with informal time to chat, compare ideas and see who might have useful connections or shared interests.

Startup Basics programme: 

Whether you’re actively thinking about starting something, or just want to explore the idea in a low-pressure way, this programme is designed to help you take your first steps. Led by our friendly and experienced team, this series of workshops breaks down the startup process into clear, manageable steps. You can attend individual sessions if that suits you best, but you’ll get the most value by joining the full series and learning alongside the same group of people.

For all students and recent graduates from the University of Edinburgh.

If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch at students@ei.ed.ac.uk

You can view and register for other upcoming sessions here.

Privacy notice: 

Please note that we may take photos and videos at this event to help promote our services within the University of Edinburgh and beyond. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please speak to a member of the team before the event begins. 

Accessibility notice: 

If you have any questions or accessibility requirements, please don’t hesitate to email us. We’re committed to making our programmes as inclusive and accessible as possible.