madeleine lee

Hi Kevin, like my colleague, I am unable to tell if this venture has been implemented and running for several years or if it was constructed for this course. You have done a lot of research and provided lots of information about the business and its concept. Breaking down the different layers of the business is useful. However, the venture is quite overwhelming with information that seems to be repeating itself and sometimes not consistent. The venture's focus is for K-12 and post secondary education but it is seeking investment/buyers from corporate training. It would be helpful to have seen the ventures 1-3-5 year plan and which stage it currently is at. Unlike the other proposed venture, this venture seems to have been implemented for a while now. Courses provided are focused on inquiry-based teaching strategies, how is this applicable to corporate setting, if you are considering corporate investors? would they even know what inquiry-based is. I would also like to see a sample learning section of a course. What makes this PD opportunity different and unique? What exactly would an investment mean for me? What is the return? financially and for my institution. I would suggest to keep the site simplified with key selling points to hook potential investors.

Hi Janna, it is apparent that you are passionate about animals, specifically dogs. You venture is focused on addressing the current issues, but as an EVA, I would need more information about the venture before I can decide whether it is feasible. How much is the course, how long is the course, how is the course different from competitors, if any? I am concerned with an online course, the venture has not addressed how it will ensure the student is accountable for what they have learned. Through the video taping of activities, how will the students gain feedback or know how to improve their skills. They will have to wait how long to receive feedback. Could the venture expand on real-time assessment/training opportunities. The safety of the animals is also a concern of mine. This venture has a lot to consider, such as different jurisdiction rules/policies as well as legal and insurance issues with training on animals. Thank you for showing me there is a need for more care and the value of dog trainers, but more information is needed before an investment can be considered.

Hi Ali! like my classmates, I also went a reviewed Babbel to learn more about it before diving into your venture pitch. I like that you had focused on the areas that were lacking and updated Babbel to be more appealing. It would be nice to explain why the additions and how it will support/advance learning of language. However, the venture upgrades were more focused on the educational changes, such as micro lessons and sensory learning through visual and audio. Is there more that can be done with the wide range of technological capabilities. As a learner, how do I know if what i'm saying is correct? Is there a form of tracking or assessing my progress/improvement? Video capabilities? conferences? I am unclear if i'm investing to be part of a trend or to advance the education sector. I'm also not sure what the direction of this venture is. The innovations in the 2.0 edition are valuable, but has not brought the product to the 21st century of technological advancement that it could be.

Hi Stephanie. Thank you for a detailed venture pitch that brought a personal and clear direction about the purpose. Your main reason for the app is to address the changing need of future employees 'millennial' in favouring professional development vs financial incentives. This is a concept that is probably harder to sell investors, understanding of a different generation. Your venture may benefit from showing research or examples of how this generation is different from current or past employees. The differentiation would better justify the need for such a product. I do appreciate the analysis and comparison of current competitors. Learngevity has the main features but is continuously updating to meet the technological changes. Incorporating social media and a peer-tracking/competition incentive similar to fit bits. The product is ready to launch, but how will it evolve in the next 5-10 years. Expand beyond financial sectors? I would be interested in learning more about this ventures plans and confidently invest in its future.

This a great and innovative idea. From a business perspective, the concept is well though of by expanding Makerspace and combining its delivery with features of airbnb. I appreciate that your considered the insurance and safety component of such a risk for a potential host. This inventory of space seems to be limitless. How would you manage the wide range of 'makerspace' options. What is considered suitable and what is not? As the target audience is K-12 students, will the host be required to complete criminal record checks? or other background checks before delivering/renting out the space to the group. Who will be accountable for the children. I agree with Albert that the 10% commission seems a tad high. His suggestion of buying shares may be something to consider and keep us EVA accountable and collaborative with the SOMA concept. I would be more comfortable if this venture was more narrowed to begin with, in order to ensure the safety and security of our K-12 students in the initial stage of implementation.

Rob, your venture puts a new spin on the purpose of LMS, which tend to be student-centred. I would agree with Ryan S. in that it would have been better to see a comparison between Last Dash and newer LMS, which is more widely used now a days. I also am a bit curious about the return of investment. How many users are you anticipating within the 18 months? is that sufficient time? Your venture pitch easy to understand. A sample visual of how the LMS would like would've help in understanding its application. Also, if the LMS is focused on combining information for teachers, how would the LMS support a student's learning experience? Is there a need for that as well. As an EVA, organization of educators apps/systems would help the educators, but my focus is in enhancing the student's learning experience in a cost-effective way. I don't think I would be able to do so, at this point. Further refinement of the LMS would be required. P.S. thank you for the nicely laid out website and in-person elevator pitch. It was well done.

Justin, this is a great venture and would be useful for anybody regardless of age. This venture has room for growth and can be applied in the workplace setting or for general professional development. I would like to see a bit more explanation about the benefits of microlearning, which I believe is the main element that distinguishes Microgrammar from its competitors. I don't see much of a difference in the basic and premium packages, that justifies the $1.00 cost. The profit margin seems min. based on the cost of services provided. If you could 'beef-up' the premium package with features that would be more appealing to consumer, a fee of more than $1.00 would be reasonable. On a side note, I appreciate that as the CEO and founder, you are passionate about the venture and are willing to earn less to support your team growth. To personally pitch your venture in front of the camera...well you definitely deserve high props for that.

Albert, your business venture is very creative and will definitely be something families would be interested in exploring for their children, especially if its a cheaper alternative to private school, but produces similar results. Growing up I attended BrainChild (a tutoring services) but was never engaged in the content because it was repetition of the same concept. Your venture combines components of Makerspaces and tutoring services, to allow the student to grow in ways that they may be able to. I would be interested in seeing more visual to help explain the process. I would also suggest not referring to the student as 'clients'. You began your venture pitch with a sports analogy, and could've ran with it throw out the pitch. I agree with Ryan D. that an option would be to reduce cost by eliminating or reducing the number of storefront and moving to digital communication tools. I would be interested in investing in this venture after learning more about its services and how the team plans on "design, refine, support, represent, advocate, implement, connect and mentor learning opportunities."

Ryan your venture pitch was very detailed, thorough and concise. You considered all angles and provided a support to your clienteles from beginning to end. Key highlights for me include that Open Allies is a not-for-profit educational venture, that it understands the administrative constraints, and that it supports crowdfunding for schools who may not to be able to afford the idea. The pitch is suitable for different types of institutions and as thus is aiming high. This may be a good or bad thing. For me, as an EVA, I would like to know specifically what you can offer. I guess you have me hooked and wanting more info. I would be interested in knowing more about this venture. PS. the Piktochart design was clear and easy to navigate. Thank you for this pitch.

Great concept Ghassan. Having the students take ownership of their own meal plan while gaining valuable experience in teamwork, planning, finance, etc. This venture has room for growth and provides a detailed description of its services. As an EVA, I would be concern about long-term viability of running this program. Educators are quite busy with their current workload. If we were to start this program, it would require maintenance and some sort of follow-up. Does the service provide support to educators? This is a long-term investment that will need to be self-sustainable as it may not be worth the cost on an annual basis. The concept is great, but the viability will need to be further considered.