Famous entrepreneur Mark Cuban got known for his phrase ‘sales cure all’. This is true in many ways, not least because sales boost your confidence and validate your business. But how do you go about strategy, tactics, and activities with the end goal of closing deals?

In this workshop, we cover the full sales cycle. From prospecting the ideal customer profile to contacting, building the relation, and utilizing the opportunity. We cover aspects of true value creation, customer-driven success, pitfalls, and not least closure of the sale.

The workshop centers on strategy as the overarching guiding principle. Within this strategy, we delve into the essential techniques to navigate common challenges within the sales cycle and day-to-day operations.

We believe that sales skills are essential and game-changing to any startup at any stage in any type of business, and you will get to know that any type of personality can practice sales.

In the workshop we will be using both theory and real-world examples to support the learning outcome of the workshop, and there will be plenty of opportunity to discuss.

YOU WILL GET

• A framework: from contact to closure
• Simple implementable tools to use in your startup
• A tool to keep structure of prospect dialogues

Communication happens on the recipient’s terms—so how do you make sure to communicate clearly?

This workshop is for entrepreneurs ready to shape the way their idea is understood, remembered, and shared. Together, we will explore the power of branding and storytelling in early-stage startups. You’ll learn how to communicate not just what you do—but why it matters.

We will work with tools to help you define the deeper purpose behind your business and begin building a story that resonates.

YOU WILL GET

• A better understanding of how branding influences perception
• Practical tools to shape your story and message
• New ways to communicate your idea with clarity and emotional pull

A Customer Relationship Management tool (CRM tool) is your startup’s commercial control board. It becomes key when designing and managing your customer journeys and they help you close as many customers as you can and lets you automate parts of your sales efforts.

When using CRM tools, you take a structured and strategic approach to managing and analyzing customer interactions, making the most of all your customer interactions. At the same time, it becomes a treasure trove of data to support your business case to investors, funding applications and financial forecasting in your startup.

CRM-systems come in many different shapes and sizes. In this workshop we will cover CRM-systems from a basic spreadsheet to dedicated CRM-software and build-it-yourself with NoCode/LowCode tools.

We will cover the pros and cons of different methods and help you assess which CRM-system is the best fit for your startup and help you get started.

YOU WILL GET

• An understanding of why startups use CRM – even early stage
• Introductions to 3 types of implementable CRM tools
• Hacks and tips to how to get started for free

Mastering your startup’s financial future

Financially sound operations are key to any startup that wants to be in the market for the long run. However, accurately predicting a startup’s future financial standing presents a challenging task.

Ever wondered:

• Will our startup ever achieve profitability?
• When could we potentially run out of cash?
• Do we need investment or alternative cash sources? And if so, how much and when?

In this workshop, you’ll acquire the essential skills to craft your own cash flow statement and forecast your financial trajectory.

Who should attend?
This workshop is tailored for startups that anticipate incurring development costs before reaching profitability. No prior financial expertise is necessary – all you need are basic Excel skills and a positive attitude.

YOU WILL GET

• A Financial Forecast Excel spreadsheet to start plotting your numbers and foresee your startup’s financial future.
• A Cash Flow Excel spreadsheet that keeps you informed about potential cash shortages.

If you’re exploring sources of funding, be sure to check out our “Finding the right funding for your startup ” workshop

Without money, your idea will not go far. But how can you reduce the need for money, and when you do need it, what type of funding should you go for?

In this workshop, you will get a clear overview of different funding options and what each provider expects. You will also receive tips and tricks for lowering your funding needs in the first place. By the end of the workshop, you will understand the funding landscape and be ready start creating a plan for your own funding journey. We will cover sources such as:

• Bootstrapping
• FFF (friends, family and fools)
• Case competitions
• Soft funding
• Grants for science-backed projects
• Accelerators and incubators
• Business angel networks
• Venture Capital
• Banks
• Crowdfunding
• Sales and customer cooperation’s as a financial driver

YOU WILL GET

• An overview of the various funding sources
• An understanding of the pros and cons. for each funding source
• Inspiration for your own “funding journey” for your startup

NB! You might also be interested in the workshop Financial forecasting and cash flow

Are you seeking private investors? Prepare yourself to navigate the funding process with confidence.

Securing private funding for the first time often raises important questions:

• What type of investor should we contact, how and when?
• How much equity should we offer and at what valuation?
• What ticks the boxes for private investors?

At this workshop we equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to raise private capital successfully

YOU WILL GET

• An intro to investor types, funding rounds and types of investments.
• A Cap-table Excel spreadsheet to plan future ownership distribution.
• Expert tips to make you irresistibly appealing to investors

If you’re exploring alternative funding avenues like public soft funding, be sure to check out our “Finding the right funding for your startup ” workshop

New to Business-to-Consumer (B2C) sales?

This workshop is your practical guide to understanding and mastering the essentials of selling products and services directly to consumers. It's perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs, new sales professionals, or anyone curious about effective customer connection.

YOU WILL GET

We break down B2C sales success into 3 essential modules:

• Creating Exceptional Customer Experiences: Learn to design smooth, memorable interactions, from user-friendly interfaces to quick, responsive customer service.
• Delivering Quality That Speaks for Itself: Discover what truly makes a product or service valuable—assessing reliability, functionality, and exceeding customer expectations.
• Marketing Magic: Attracting and Retaining Customers: Dive into effective marketing strategies, including brand building, leveraging social media, and creating a positive image that resonates with your audience.

WORKSHOP FORMAT

Your learning will be hands-on, featuring:

• Practical case studies
• Group discussions and real-world scenario analyses

How do you know if your business idea holds real potential? Is your idea any good—and what are the first steps you can take to move it forward?

‘Mature Your Idea’ is a 2-hour workshop designed for early-stage entrepreneurs who are just starting out.
Together, we’ll slow down to speed up—taking time to dive deeper into your concept, explore the problem it addresses, and uncover why it matters. You’ll walk away with stronger direction and new insights to continue developing your idea. Whether your idea is just a spark or already taking shape, this session helps you build the foundation for something more solid.

WHAT YOU WILL GAIN
- A better understanding of the problem your idea addresses
- New insights and reflections on your idea’s direction
- A first step toward aligning your motivation with the problem you aim to solve

SIGN UP

28 August from 10.00-12.00
Sign-up here

26 September from 10.00-12.00
Sign-up here

6 November from 12.00-14.00
Sign-up here

12 December from 9.00-12.00
Sign-up here

Join our 3-part workshop series designed to help you refine your business idea. Gain a deeper understanding of what problem you are solving for your customer, the solution you provide and learn how you differentiate from your competitors.

WHAT WILL YOU GET
Throughout the workshops you will get an understanding of the various strategic elements involved in building a business.

REQUIREMENTS
The Startup Essentials workshops are open exclusively to members of The Kitchen.

Please note - The Startup Essentials workshops are mandatory for all. We expect a significant part of your founder team to participate in all three workshops.

Workshop 1/3: The problem
Why are you the right person to do this?
Why start with the problem?
Do you really know who your customers are?

Workshop 2/3: Your solution
How does your solution fit?
Can you predict the future?
How do you fake it till you make it?

Workshop 3/3: Your position
How different are you really?
What is the most dangerous sentence in the English language?
Why should you communicate your value?

Workshop 1:  11 September 9.00-12.00

Workshop 2:  17 September 12.30-15.30 

Workshop 3: 25 September 09.00-12.00 

SIGN UP: HERE

October
Workshop 1:  7 October 12.30-15.30 

Workshop 2:  22 October 9.00-12.00 

Workshop 3:  30 October 12.30-15.30 

SIGN UP: HERE

November
Workshop 1:  12 November 9.00-12.00 

Workshop 2:  20 November 9.00-12.00 

Workshop 3:  26 November 9.00-12.00 

SIGN UP: HERE

Pitchweek is a high-paced work zone to sharpen your pitch – and your business.

A great pitch deck is essential when talking to investors, grant providers, or anyone curious about your startup.

Throughout the week, you’ll build a strong, 10-minute pitch deck with support from business developers and peer feedback.

It all leads up to a Friday finale in front of a panel of investors and entrepreneurs.

You’ll leave with:
A clear, convincing pitch
A stronger business case
Real pitch experience in front of stakeholders

Block your calendar – this is where your idea takes shape.

YOU WILL GET
- A convincing 10 min. pitch deck
- A more solid business case
- Experience pitching to investors and other stakeholders

PROGRAM
May be subject to minor changes

Monday: Kick-off
Tuesday: Feedback session
Thursday: Pitch rehearsal and feedback
Friday: Pitch presentation

PRACTICAL INFO

Dates:
29 Sept. 10.00-12.00
30 Sept. 13.00 -15.30
2 Okt. 13.00 - 16.00
3 Okt. 10.00 - 13.00

NB: Pitch Week is only open to startups that are part of The Kitchen. Consult your business developer before sign-up.  

SIGN UP: HERE

An intense 2-week work zone where you work to build a clear and convincing pitch deck targeted Innoexplorer.

The intense week ends in a finale on Friday where you pitch in front of a panel of investors, commercial people and other entrepreneurs.

We know from experience that your pitch deck and communication will improve dramatically over the course of the week.

YOU WILL GET
- A convincing pitch, tailored Innoexplorer
- Experience pitching to investors and other stakeholders
- A more solid business case

PROGRAM
20 Okt. 12.30-15.30: Kick-off
24 Okt. 09.00 -11.00: Feedback session
30 Okt. 09.00 - 11.00: Pitch rehearsal and feedback
31 Okt. 10.00 - 13.00: Pitch presentation

NB: Pitch Week is only open to startups that are part of The Kitchen. Consult your business developer before sign-up.

SIGN UP: HERE