Validate Before You Build: Cultivator’s START Program

We believe that true innovation begins with deep understanding. Too many brilliant ideas never get off the ground because founders start pitching, fund raising and building too soon. Don’t build in the dark!   

Avoid common pitfalls that founders make in the early stages. Our 7-week START program centers on a fundamental truth: you must validate your core problem and target customers first.

Why START is different

START isn’t about jumping straight to a solution. It’s about a methodical, customer-centric approach that ensures your efforts are aligned with real market needs. The 7-week program empowers you to:

• Deep Dive into Customer Discovery: Learn how to conduct unbiased conversations with potential customers, uncovering their true pain points and unmet needs.
• Validate Your Problem: Identify recurring problems across a broad customer set. If a clear problem continues to show up, that’s strong validation that it’s a problem worth solving.
• Refine Your Value Proposition: Craft a compelling solution that directly addresses those validated problems and resonates with your ideal customers.

What you’ll achieve in 7 weeks

By the end of the START program, you won’t just have an idea – you’ll have a validated foundation for a scalable business. You will be able to:

• Clearly articulate a real, validated problem based on direct customer insights.
• Define a specific and well-researched Ideal Customer Profile (ICP).
• Craft a compelling Value Proposition rooted in real customer insights that align with both the problem and ICP.
• Demonstrate early traction and momentum through structured learning, expert coaching, and active engagement with our vibrant founder community.
• Secure initial sales and/or Letters of Intent (LOIs), proving early market demand.

How we get you there: Cultivator’s value

The START program is built on a foundation of personalized support and a strong community:

• Expert Coaching & Accountability: Our Program Coordinator provides bi-weekly 1:1 coaching sessions, helping you narrow in on one clear problem and solve it exceptionally well. We’ll review your customer interviews to surface pain points, explore pivots, and challenge your thinking.
• Vibrant Community Access: Connect with fellow founders and the Cultivator team through our dedicated Slack workspace and a growing peer network of tech startups.
• Hybrid Support: Benefit from the best of both worlds with hybrid programming – in-person sessions at Cultivator HQ and virtual participation via Zoom. You’ll also have access to hot-desk space at our headquarters.
• Exclusive Perks & Discounts: Gain access to free or discounted software, tools, and services through Cultivator’s extensive partner network.

Is START for you?

START is specifically designed for early-stage tech founders who are looking to validate problem-solution fit. This includes startups that are:

• In the ideation phase
• Pre-revenue or beta testing
• Earning early traction or revenue

If you’re creating something but aren’t yet 100% sure who it’s for – or what painful problem it truly solves – START is where you need to be.

Where does START take place?

START is delivered through a flexible hybrid format:

• In-person at Cultivator HQ: Located at 2375 College Ave. Regina
• Virtual participation: Via Zoom, ensuring flexibility no matter where you are

Ready to validate your vision?

The START program follows a rolling intake model, with cohorts typically running 3-4 times a year. Don’t build in the dark. Join START and build a strong, validated foundation for your tech venture!