Los Angeles’ First Blockchain Accelerator for Global Growth.
New International Business Accelerator Cohort Helps Startups Design Deploy and Implement Blockchain Technology to Accelerate Global Growth.
(Los Angeles, California - October 11, 2018) To celebrate Los Angeles’ Blockchain Week, the International Business Accelerator (IBA) announces Los Angeles’ first business accelerator cohort for leveraging blockchain technology for entry into global markets. Greater Los Angeles founders eager to build global companies around the blockchain are encouraged to apply for the 12-week program taking place at the Blackstone Launchpad at USC’s Marshall School of Business from October 24th to January 30th, 2019. Applications are being accepted via Iba.io and BarbaraBickham.com until October 19th, 2018.
The IBA accepts early-stage startup founding teams and small businesses with global products, technologies and services who are looking to develop their cross-border strategy around the blockchain. Participants receive a 12-week intern, business coaching, mentorship, market research, consulting services, education and more.
The new cohort will be facilitated by recognized advanced technology CTO and blockchain expert Barbara Bickham, who also mentors at business accelerators such as Bixel Exchange, Stubbs Alderton’s Precellerator©, Make in LA and other entrepreneurial programs.
“Partnering with Barbara on this cohort makes sense on several levels,” says Michael McClune of the IBA. “First we both present companies with global expansion solutions, ours being the focus of growth and hers being the inherent nature of advanced technology.” Secondly, she shares our sustained commitment to graduate more women-led companies from the IBA than traditional male-led companies.” “Third, the IBA was built to introduce timely, sector-specific cohorts to complement the ongoing Export and InboundLA (FDI) accelerator cohorts.” “Being that Barbara is an expert in the hottest sector of business growth as well as a respected advisor to startup accelerators around town makes it a perfect union for startups eager to be on the forefront of business technology and international expansion.”
The IBA’s Blockchain for Global Growth will work with companies to launch them into global markets using blockchain technology and proven business acceleration techniques. “This access to blockchain know-how and extensive one-on-one business support is simply not available in any other program," said IBA founder Christopher Lynch, an international business expert and professor.
Participating companies will receive and have access to:
- Business coaching and consulting to build, deploy and implement the blockchain,
- Market research and development of a company-tailored cross-border growth strategy,
- A 12-week USC intern to help with administrative duties surrounding the cohort curriculum,
- Proven business acceleration techniques for entering the global market using blockchain technology,
- Training and readiness in funding, financing tools and resources and ICO/STOs,
- Continued support through the completion of their first international sale.
The blockchain accelerator is a 90-day program with six Wednesday 6-10pm seminars running from October 24th to January 23rd. Off-weeks consist of 1-on-1 coaching and consulting with mentors for benchmarks and KPIs.
10/24: What is blockchain, importance of the white paper // Creating a globally minded company
11/14: Blockchain nuts and bolts, including the dashboard // Cross cultural skills for a global business
11/28: Blockchain types// Marketing to investors, selling and marketing to global customers
12/19 - Legal, regulatory, tax and accounting essentials for blockchain companies.
1/9: Smart contracts// Finance (Crowdfunding, VC, Angel and Debt Financing)
1/23: Web 3.0 stack, cyber security // Customer care, operations management, banking and foreign exchange
2/8: Demo Day
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To learn more about the International Business Accelerator cohorts and projects, business owners are media invited to visit IBA’s website at www.IBA.io/iba-blockchain or contact Michael McClune at (310) 319.1199 and IBA.at.LAX@gmail.com. This cohort has a $5,000 program fee, comes with an intern and a limited number of scholarships may be available.