I highly recommend investment in this venture! It offers a beginning to the transformation in learning we’ve been looking for by enabling student leadership, student driven learning, and putting the passion for learning where it belongs: with the students. Through this program, students in 6 major universities are running free and almost free classes for high school students in a wide range of subjects from the artistic to the scientific and everything in between. While quality of the actual classes would vary based on participation and leadership, the possibility of tapping into the passion and energy of college students and enabling them to share with high school students has the possibility of making learning more meaningful for everyone involved. i can even see this project developing in high schools whereby high school students may get inspired to lead learning projects for middle or elementary students in the summers.
This project has the capacity to make learning more meaningful and to increase student opportunities to make a positive difference in society. It also has the added advantage of running largely on volunteer labour.
One issue to watch will be the cost to the campus in terms of security and facilities use, and administrative fees such as managing registration and class supplies. To manage this some schools are charging nominal fees (5$ per class). Schools can also consider the advantage of bringing potential students onto campus, and need to be wary of the kind of impression and culture these classes create.
Overall an excellent venture that needs to be watched and supported to ensure effective and responsible delivery, and which has the potential to greatly increase the passion for learning in all those involved.
No, I would not invest in this venture. To begin with, the CEO, Dan Zaharopol didn’t present a problem, or pain point. He just offered a solution that leads a movement of college students who teach high school students to love learning. If there is a problem of students not wanting to learn, why didn’t he mention it? He did however present his reasons why students would choose his product. It’s because they can explore anything and everything through a program called “Splash”. This is where Mr. Zaharapol lost me however. He presented his volunteer based program as if it were a business venture. Why would anyone be interested in wasting their time investing into a program like this if the students are donating their time and the universities are offering free classroom space? There is no mention of marketing, competitors and profits to be made. He did provide a 5 year projection in that he would like to expand from 6 universities to 50 across the US. Unless you’re a high school student, why would you care about a venture like this?
I found the delivery of this CEO’s pitch quite dry and it looked like he was reading which didn’t convince me when watching for sincerity and enthusiasm. Passion for his venture was also lacking and the message was incomplete since he never had a problem to begin with.
Hi Donna,
I agree that by not identifying a pain point this pitch is weak. It almost seems like the presenter is pitching an idea as opposed to a well thought out and developed plan.
I have noticed a few of us have had polar opposite views of whether to invest or not from the same pitch and using the same criteria. Makes me wonder what it is about us the EVA (or catchers as Elsbach calls them) that also influences the decision. It could be the impact of the three stereotypes Elsbach identifies on us as individuals, or it could be our own personal interest or experiences that makes us more interested.
While I agree there was no clear articulation of the problem it was assumed that it was need to enthuse learners, and it had a good track record so far. It seemed an exciting venture – but I wasn’t sure what I was being asked to do.
It did make me go onto their site to learn more and then to either think about investing $s or think about volunteering or offer the “campus” I hypothetically might be working on.
I think I am in the same boat as you. I was not quite sure what this ‘investment’ really refer to. From an investor perspective, I don’t see a market readily available for Education Unlimited. However, from a personal perspective, I would actually want to invest my time and money into supporting this program as I see, as an educator, how this program could benefit some intellectual growth in the younger generation.
I think it is who we identify ourselves as that would result in those polar opposite views.
I noticed the polar opposite views too. Chelsea took the educative angle and my view was that of an invester in an educational company that wants to make money:) Maybe I’m totally missing something here in left field!
No, I would not invest in this venture. The principal reason for this decision is that Learning Unlimited has not presented a complete overview of their venture. There is no indication as to how an investment in Learning Unlimited would be of benefit. The gap or problem they seek to fill has not been identified and a target audience of all students and campuses is too broad. While growth is mentioned how this growth is being accomplished is not presented. Also of concern is that the competitors have not been identified. How does Learning Unlimited compare to similar ventures and what is it that sets their venture apart from the others? Who are Learning Unlimited’s leaders and advisors? There is no assurance of quality or accuracy making it impossible for the learner or educator to know that the workshops are of value.
No, I would not invest in this venture as an investor (but I would as a volunteer educator). This is because the CEO has only identify what this program does but failed to identify any marketability and venturing plans.
CEO & Team
Just from a gut feeling view, I find that how the CEO speaks seems very rehearsed and thus it lacks passion to me. At that point I stopped thinking about how the rest of the team really function. It is safe to say that is a elevator pitch fail to me.
Venture Concept
I see a vision of making a weekend interest group type of thing but it is hardly a venture concept. I see it more like a community centre type of concept but run by university instead. The venue is different, but the concept seems the same. It also reminds me of the Alumni weekend that just passed on the UBC campus. I cannot see this as a venture though. I see it more as a marketing tool that the university could use.
Marketability
As I do not see this as a venture, I do not see a marketability in this program. Would we be able to draw parental attention into investing in this program?
Venture Plan
I am not quite certain as to what direction this venture would take further down the road. Sure there might be expansion of interest group but how are these organized? Is there a way to measure the success of the program? If this program is successful, what would we expect to see? What kind of issues has this program addressed?
There are a lot of unanswered questions that would drive the investor in me away from investing in this program. However, from an educator point of view, I would love to volunteer for them to see what kind of dynamics does this program drive and what kind of students we could reach.
Chelsea M Woods 4:05 am on May 23, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I highly recommend investment in this venture! It offers a beginning to the transformation in learning we’ve been looking for by enabling student leadership, student driven learning, and putting the passion for learning where it belongs: with the students. Through this program, students in 6 major universities are running free and almost free classes for high school students in a wide range of subjects from the artistic to the scientific and everything in between. While quality of the actual classes would vary based on participation and leadership, the possibility of tapping into the passion and energy of college students and enabling them to share with high school students has the possibility of making learning more meaningful for everyone involved. i can even see this project developing in high schools whereby high school students may get inspired to lead learning projects for middle or elementary students in the summers.
This project has the capacity to make learning more meaningful and to increase student opportunities to make a positive difference in society. It also has the added advantage of running largely on volunteer labour.
One issue to watch will be the cost to the campus in terms of security and facilities use, and administrative fees such as managing registration and class supplies. To manage this some schools are charging nominal fees (5$ per class). Schools can also consider the advantage of bringing potential students onto campus, and need to be wary of the kind of impression and culture these classes create.
Overall an excellent venture that needs to be watched and supported to ensure effective and responsible delivery, and which has the potential to greatly increase the passion for learning in all those involved.
Donna Forward 8:42 pm on May 26, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
No, I would not invest in this venture. To begin with, the CEO, Dan Zaharopol didn’t present a problem, or pain point. He just offered a solution that leads a movement of college students who teach high school students to love learning. If there is a problem of students not wanting to learn, why didn’t he mention it? He did however present his reasons why students would choose his product. It’s because they can explore anything and everything through a program called “Splash”. This is where Mr. Zaharapol lost me however. He presented his volunteer based program as if it were a business venture. Why would anyone be interested in wasting their time investing into a program like this if the students are donating their time and the universities are offering free classroom space? There is no mention of marketing, competitors and profits to be made. He did provide a 5 year projection in that he would like to expand from 6 universities to 50 across the US. Unless you’re a high school student, why would you care about a venture like this?
I found the delivery of this CEO’s pitch quite dry and it looked like he was reading which didn’t convince me when watching for sincerity and enthusiasm. Passion for his venture was also lacking and the message was incomplete since he never had a problem to begin with.
Claire Burgoyne 9:24 pm on May 27, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Donna,
I agree that by not identifying a pain point this pitch is weak. It almost seems like the presenter is pitching an idea as opposed to a well thought out and developed plan.
Denise 5:45 am on May 27, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
HI Donna and Chelsea,
I have noticed a few of us have had polar opposite views of whether to invest or not from the same pitch and using the same criteria. Makes me wonder what it is about us the EVA (or catchers as Elsbach calls them) that also influences the decision. It could be the impact of the three stereotypes Elsbach identifies on us as individuals, or it could be our own personal interest or experiences that makes us more interested.
While I agree there was no clear articulation of the problem it was assumed that it was need to enthuse learners, and it had a good track record so far. It seemed an exciting venture – but I wasn’t sure what I was being asked to do.
It did make me go onto their site to learn more and then to either think about investing $s or think about volunteering or offer the “campus” I hypothetically might be working on.
Denise
Sherman Lee 10:58 pm on May 27, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Denise,
I think I am in the same boat as you. I was not quite sure what this ‘investment’ really refer to. From an investor perspective, I don’t see a market readily available for Education Unlimited. However, from a personal perspective, I would actually want to invest my time and money into supporting this program as I see, as an educator, how this program could benefit some intellectual growth in the younger generation.
I think it is who we identify ourselves as that would result in those polar opposite views.
Sherman
Donna Forward 9:15 am on May 27, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hello Chelsea,
I noticed the polar opposite views too. Chelsea took the educative angle and my view was that of an invester in an educational company that wants to make money:) Maybe I’m totally missing something here in left field!
Curious,
Donna
Donna Forward 9:17 am on May 27, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Sorry, I meant to address that to Denise. I apologize!
Donna
Claire Burgoyne 12:08 pm on May 27, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
No, I would not invest in this venture. The principal reason for this decision is that Learning Unlimited has not presented a complete overview of their venture. There is no indication as to how an investment in Learning Unlimited would be of benefit. The gap or problem they seek to fill has not been identified and a target audience of all students and campuses is too broad. While growth is mentioned how this growth is being accomplished is not presented. Also of concern is that the competitors have not been identified. How does Learning Unlimited compare to similar ventures and what is it that sets their venture apart from the others? Who are Learning Unlimited’s leaders and advisors? There is no assurance of quality or accuracy making it impossible for the learner or educator to know that the workshops are of value.
Sherman Lee 11:08 pm on May 27, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
No, I would not invest in this venture as an investor (but I would as a volunteer educator). This is because the CEO has only identify what this program does but failed to identify any marketability and venturing plans.
CEO & Team
Just from a gut feeling view, I find that how the CEO speaks seems very rehearsed and thus it lacks passion to me. At that point I stopped thinking about how the rest of the team really function. It is safe to say that is a elevator pitch fail to me.
Venture Concept
I see a vision of making a weekend interest group type of thing but it is hardly a venture concept. I see it more like a community centre type of concept but run by university instead. The venue is different, but the concept seems the same. It also reminds me of the Alumni weekend that just passed on the UBC campus. I cannot see this as a venture though. I see it more as a marketing tool that the university could use.
Marketability
As I do not see this as a venture, I do not see a marketability in this program. Would we be able to draw parental attention into investing in this program?
Venture Plan
I am not quite certain as to what direction this venture would take further down the road. Sure there might be expansion of interest group but how are these organized? Is there a way to measure the success of the program? If this program is successful, what would we expect to see? What kind of issues has this program addressed?
There are a lot of unanswered questions that would drive the investor in me away from investing in this program. However, from an educator point of view, I would love to volunteer for them to see what kind of dynamics does this program drive and what kind of students we could reach.
Sherman