COUNTDOWN TO THE NEXT CRUCIBLE
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NOVEMBER 12 2021
Business Vetting like you've never seen before
If you've got an idea for a startup, it's tough to get unvarnished feedback on the idea.
But how do you know if its REALLY a good idea or if its just friends and family being nice?
What if there was a way to test your idea and see if its got what it takes to go the distance?
WE HAVE THE SOLUTION
The Crucible is only interested in helping you take your idea to the next level. We do that through open, honest, and direct feedback of your idea.
The Crucible isn't a public competition, nor is it a cattle call for any and all ideas.
We are looking for serious entrepreneurs who need to know if their idea is valuable.
It won't be easy, but it will be worth it.
HOW IT WORKS
Participants will fill out an application that outlines their business idea. Our team will review it and from the pool of applicants will select a handful of participants.
If your selected you'll be given a date and time to show up and be asked questions from our panel.
The questions will be direct and may be a bit pointed. The goal isn't to be cruel, but to help you better understand your business idea.
If you and your idea can handle our panel, you'll be well equipped to present to any company on the planet with confidence. You've already handled the toughest questions you could expect!
QUESTION
NUMBER
ONE
"Why?"
The first question from our panel for everyone in The Crucible. “Why?”
As simple as this sounds the way people respond to it says a lot.
“Why?” can be interpreted in a lot of ways. They way participants chose to interpret this question will help us gain some insight into your mindset.
There’s no “wrong” way to answer this question. But its tougher than you might think.
THE CRUCIBLE EXPLAINED
This is an Excerpt from The Gentleman Badass Podcast. Justin Trowbridge, who will be the moderator for The Crucible, went on the podcast to explain its not just tearing down business ideas. Its tempering them to get the best possible version of the business right out of the gate.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS
THE PANEL
Financial & Funding
Experts who deal with finance, venture capital, joint ventures, licensing, and more.
Strategy & Vision
Experts who focus on whats over the horizon and how you'll get there.
Sales & Marketing
Experts who know how to sell and market to customers through multiple channels.
Business Operations
Experts who run successful businesses and know what it takes to grow long term.
Technology
Experts in the tech space who know the real costs and pitfalls of technology development.
SUCCESS OR FAILURE
In order to successfully pass all 5 panel members need to approve the idea.
In the event 1 or 2 of the panel members disapprove, we will begin a panel debate. After 15 minutes of discussion, we will vote again.
If 3 or more disapprove panel members you will have failed The Crucible without any debate required.
FAILURE
In the event you do not successfully complete The Crucible it's not the end of the line.
Starting a business is hard and you'll have way more failures than you will success. Its part of the culture to get back up and brush yourself off.
The Crucible isn't a "one and done" attempt. You're welcome to come back and present your new & improved idea at another event.
SUCCESS
When you make it through The Crucible you'll be a part of a very small group of people.
Surviving the crucible means you'll have access to the people who can help you move your idea along faster than you might on your own.
The ability to say you survived The Crucible will mean something in the startup community and you'll forever be honored in our survivors section.
WHAT THIS ISN'T
DREAM CRUSHING
This may sound like a group of people who are just in it to be mean, and that's far from the reality.
We have heard too many people say "I'm going to be the Uber/Facebook/Starbucks of XYZ" to continue to let these people go down a path to failure.
We anticipate people will be upset and maybe angry at us. And that's fine, if we "stump" you on a question that is helping point out an issue with your current planning.
We want to help you succeed and this is the business equivalent of "tough love".
A PITCH CONTEST
There is a time and a place for pitch contests with cash prizes.
To pitch an idea for a chance to "win" some money doesn't take a fully fledged idea.
We've all been to pitches where you wonder if the person made it up as they walked in.
We designed this to only allow the ideas with solid though processes and conviction to pass through.
OPEN TO
THE PUBLIC
There is no audience for The Crucible. Its not recorded nor is it live streamed.
The questions will be difficult and hearing this direct feedback can/will be tough.
We will only disclose the people who succeed. There is no shame or embarrassment associated with not completing The Crucible.
Part of the value of this experience is learning how to overcome objection and defeat.
THE NEXT CRUCIBLE IS
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FRIDAY - NOVEMBER 12 2021
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THE CASH PAYOUT
There Isn't Any
You read that right, there isn't any money for completing The Crucible.
Everyone involved in The Crucible is an expert who is sitting on a wealth of information, contacts, and resources.
Because access to all of those benefits is what everyone in the startup world is after, that is your reward. You enter into a very small group of entrepreneurs who can handle the tough questions and have a business model worth supporting.
Part of the process to "weed out" the people who aren't serious about starting their own business is the application fee.
The risk is you lose your application fee...the reward is validation and visibility to the people you need.
HOW TO APPLY
To get started you'll need to fill out our application and pay the application fee.
As you fill out the application you will probably run into questions or sections that either don't apply or you don't know the answer to. THATS FINE.
We understand you're just hitting the ground rolling with your idea. If, however, you notice a large portion of the basic questions are going unanswered, you may want to rethink your application to The Crucible.
The application fee will only be charged when you submit the form. If you're NOT selected you will not be receiving a refund.
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