It’s Not About Having A Better Product

10850 E. Traverse Hwy, Ste. 4400,Traverse City MI 49684

22 June, 2022

Description

This event is tailored for early-stage tech founders, players (investors, consultants, educators etc.) in the tech start-up ecosystem, students interested in entrepreneurship, and anyone else who wants to learn more about why market and competitive analysis is critical to start-up success. The session covers: Why market research and competitive analysis can make or break your businessFounder misconceptions about the market and competitionWhat should market research for a start-up looks likeGetting the information you really need: What is your true market potential? Do people really want your product and will they pay for it? How to learn from competitor successes and mistakes. And, defining how you will outcompete and grab market share and revenues.As consultants with the Michigan SBDC Tech Team, Dr. Marquicia Pierce and Melanie de Vries advise advanced technology founders and executives on driving growth and raising funds for their early-stage startups. For the past 12 years, Dr. Marquicia Pierce has infused creative storytelling and business acumen to produce compelling brand identities, company narratives, technology overviews, roadmaps, and pitch decks. Her mission is to elevate the business story of innovation as she works with tech entrepreneurs and accelerators in their commercialization endeavors. Prior to joining the tech team, Marquicia was a product development manager at a tech accelerator for therapeutics. Prior to these activities she managed a Michigan State University academic start-up (acquired) focused on oncology pharmaceutical compounds. She complemented her doctorate in Molecular Physiology & Biophysics with Engineering Management at Vanderbilt University and received an MBA from Northwood University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Purdue University. Marquicia is also the founder of Ruby Leaf Media, scientific communication and business consulting company to help life science start-ups, portfolio companies, and incubators grow their businesses and earn industry recognition. Melanie de Vries is a growth strategy guru with a history of successfully developing marketing and sales strategies that build and improve profitability. Her focus is on identifying plans and tactics for driving rapid growth and building new innovations that obtain and keep clients and expand market share. Melanie mixes her extensive knowledge in business strategy and entrepreneurship with effective processes to tailor solutions for each organization’s specifics needs. She also brings her passion, enthusiasm and compassionate shoulder to cry on to every client meeting. Her recent experience includes serving as CEO and Co-Founder of PaymentScholar (an edtech start-up). She has worked in the entrepreneurial ecosystem as an independent consultant advising start-up organizations on strategic planning, market positioning, market analysis, brand development, and customer discovery. She has also served as the senior marketing officer for Deloitte & Touche/Deloitte Consulting, The Learning Care Group and ForeSee Results. She is an Honors English graduate of the University of Michigan. Her areas of expertise include Go-To-Market and Commercialization Strategy and Tactics, Complex B2B Sales and Client Management, and Customer, Market and Competitive Research and Analysis, and Investor Pitch Presentation Coaching.