The perfect presents for your favorite entrepreneurs
Struggling with ideas on what to gift your favorite entrepreneur this holiday season? Have no fear, FORGE is here! We have easy (and FREE) ideas on our list for every entrepreneur in your life, both naughty and nice.
For venture curious students: An Entrepreneurial Mindset Assessment
Learn your entrepreneurial superpower! FORGE has partnered with NFTE, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship to provide an assessment for activating an entrepreneurial mindset. This online survey helps individuals understand their own strengths and areas of improvement in the 8 domains of the entrepreneurial mindset. Take your time answering these questions honestly and to the best of your ability -- there are no right or wrong answers! At the end of the survey, gain an individual report that can help guide and develop your personal entrepreneurial journey.
For student and beginning entrepreneurs: The Venturing 101 Course
Enrollment in Venturing 101! Venturing 101 is a set of short courses on topics relevant to launching a venture. After completing the experience, attendees have more knowledge about the venturing process using the Lean Canvas framework. Anyone can use the mini-course content to gain exposure to venturing and self-assess readiness to advance in the venturing process. Courses are offered online and can be completed asynchronously. Complete them all over the holiday break and be ready to launch a venture on New Year’s Day!
Once enrolled, attendees complete as many courses as they desire and receive a virtual badge for completing the core set of courses. Best of all, there is no cost to enroll! Venturing 101 is open to everyone and free of charge. Learn more and sign up here.
For those along the path to entrepreneurship: The FORGE Fireside Video Library
Learn valuable lessons and gain inspiration from other entrepreneurs and business leaders with the complete FORGE Fireside Video Library. FORGE Founding Executive Director Brian Ellerman interviews entrepreneurs and business leaders from Tucson, Arizona, and beyond. The FORGE Fireside Library contains interviews with notable business leaders like Blake Johnson and Scott Cohen, University of Arizona alumni and co-founders of Byte. The dynamic duo built the company without raising venture capital, exited at $1 billion, and share their lessons learned. Other guests have included:
- Allie Burns, CEO of Village Capital
- Shelley Miles CEO of the Singelton Foundation
- Zach Yentzer, Executive Director of Tucson Young Professionals
- Ben Waber, Ph.D., the president and co-founder of Humanyze
- Kent Cheeseman, CEO of Hamilton Distillers Group
and many more. Find the full video library at the link below.
FORGE Fireside with Santa
Still need ideas? You are in luck! This week for our Thursdays at FORGE series, FORGE hosts the big man himself - Santa Claus, the CEO of Christmas. Santa is available via Zoom, so log on and see what advice Santa has for you and the people on your list.
On this special holiday edition of FORGE Fireside, Brian Ellerman will talk to CEO Claus about how he deals with supply chain issues to meet the most important deadline of the year. Claus will also speak candidly about tips for motivating employees, where to find venture funding for an unconventional business model and how to scale quickly.
This interview will take place virtually on Zoom, as Santa will need to dial in from the North Pole, but all are welcome to join us for a live viewing over hot chocolate and marshmallows downtown at the FORGE HUB.
Special thanks to our pillar partner Startup Tucson for filling FORGE at Roy Place with so much holiday magic!
Happy Holidays!
This is our last newsletter of the year. It’s been an incredible one and we are so excited for 2023. Thank you so much to all our staff, student workers, donors, supporters, community partners, and FORGE friends for an incredible 2022!
FORGE at Roy Place will be closed for the remainder of the year but our Thursdays at FORGE series will resume on January 12th with some exciting new features! Stay tuned.
From of us at FORGE, we wish you all a very happy and healthy holiday and a bright new year!
FORGE at Roy Place is currently hiring for a Native FORGE Student Intern and two FORGE at Roy Place Student Assistants. Find all the details and apply here.
Upcoming Events
December 15th - FORGE Fireside Featuring Santa Claus
January 19th - FORGE Fireside Featuring Pueblo Vida Brewery
January 26th - Venture Cafe Phoenix Talent Night and Job Fair
What new venture will you FORGE today?