customer-discovery

Applications open August 1, 2024

Fall session runs October 7 - November 18, 2024

Creating a new business or product is an exciting journey, but having a great idea is not enough. Whether you’re expanding a business, innovating your industry, or aspiring to be an entrepreneur, ensure you build solutions people really want by basing your ideas on insights, not assumptions.

idea factory icon

At the Idea Factory, you’ll learn about customer discovery – the entrepreneur's secret weapon.
It's the process of uncovering customers’ needs, wants, and pain points before building the product. It's about getting out of your own head and into the minds of your potential customers.

Increase your chances of success

Startups that actively engage in customer discovery are twice as likely to succeed as those that don't.

Become a better communicator

Learn to ask the right questions, listen actively, and build customer relationships.

Develop products customers love

Identify the problems your customers are struggling with and create solutions
they want.

Gain a competitive edge

Understanding your customers is what sets you apart, giving you a significant advantage over competitors.

Who’s it for?

  • Anyone in Virginia with an innovative idea for a new or existing business
    • Considering building a new product, service, or way to scale your business?
    • Working on an innovative solution to a problem and considering starting a business?
    • Passionate about solving a particular problem and don’t know how to begin?

What's the commitment?

  • Attend six Monday evening sessions, 6-8 p.m. (two in-person in Richmond and four online)
    • Spring Cohort: March 4 - April 15
    • Fall Cohort: October 7 - November 18
  • 5 hours weekly of independent work
  • Interviewing and surveying strangers

What are the outcomes?

  • Learn the customer discovery process
  • Identify your potential customers
  • Build a target customer database
  • Hone your interviewing and surveying skills
  • Gain customer insights and identify the best business ideas
  • Receive guidance for the next steps for your idea

Let's get started.

REVIEWS

Philip Deng

"If your business idea is a seed, Idea Factory is a little pot of topsoil, a watering can, and a whole lot of sunshine. What sprouts up may be different from what you imagined, but this program is powerful for unlocking potential, and getting started is what it's all about."

Philip Deng

Fall 2020 participant
Nicole Mason

"Idea Factory helped me synthesize that launching an idea in the marketplace is both an art and a science. Idea Factory is a safe place to learn and grow."

Nicole Mason

Spring 2022 participant
Adam White

"If you have a burning idea and you want a program that will help you test your theory and stay accountable in a very structured manner, Idea Factory is the place to be."

Adam White

Spring 2021 participant
Grace Mittl

"The Idea Factory gave me an opportunity to learn more about how to better serve my current customer base. It was such an invaluable and risk-free environment to understand if my business could evolve into a viable, scalable venture."

Grace Mittl

Spring 2022 participant
Royjay

"Going through this process is a must. The Idea Factory will allow you to understand your potential customers more and also your product or service."

Rojay Chase

Fall 2020 participant

Have questions about the Idea Factory?

THIS IDEATION INITIATIVE IS POWERED BY

Startup Virginia logo
BDLR logo

WITH FUNDING SUPPORT FROM

Go Virginia Logo
Activation Capital Logo
CED_Logo
henrico county EDA logo
Richmond Economic Development