AI for startups

About this course

This course covers using AI at every step of an early-stage startup — from testing a hypothesis to pitching an investor. It addresses the most common reason startups fail: the idea never gets tested on real people, and money and time run out before the first paying customer shows up.

The training follows the launch cycle: 'Problem and Hypothesis' covers customer interviews and using AI as a devil's advocate for your idea; 'Solution and Prototype' covers building a minimal product and testing willingness to pay; 'First Customers' covers reaching your first ten touches without ads; 'Metrics and Money' covers unit economics and a financial model without self-deception. The final project prepares you for investor conversations and first hires.

The course is for founders at the earliest stage — pre-product or with first customers. No special background is needed, but you'll need a real project or idea you can test on real people during the course.

What you'll learn

• Frame a testable hypothesis instead of an idea
• Run customer interviews without leading questions
• Use AI as a devil's advocate against your own idea
• Build a minimal prototype and test willingness to pay
• Reach your first ten customers without advertising
• Calculate unit economics and customer acquisition cost
• Build a financial model and runway
• Prepare investor materials with honest numbers

What you'll end up with

• A hypothesis and customer profile validated through real interviews
• A minimal product taken through to a pricing conversation
• Unit economics and a financial model for your project
• Investor materials built on honest numbers

This course isn't for you if you're looking for a pitch-deck template or guaranteed fundraising — it's about validating the idea and the first steps, not fundraising itself.