No, I would not invest in Learning Unlimited as I do not know what Dan wants or needs through this pitch.
This sounds like a great service – “leading a movement of College students to teach high school students to love learning” So I assume the problem they are solving is high school students lack of enthusiasm for learning. It is a great concept to inspire high school students by College students who may only be a few years their senior.
Dan shows his enthusiasm and passion for the project so this helps the viewer to pay attention. He provides authority through his credentials as CEO, the large growth of the movement with students served and campus’s served, and the well-known Universities served. The video clips show the excitement by both the students and teachers.
As a citizen, this pitch made me feel good as all stakeholders are benefiting: teachers, students, Colleges. But as an Educational Venture Analyst, it left me wondering what he wants other than to let me know this is a great cause through his infomercial.
I am wondering if this was more of a general pitch (to provide general info about their product and spark interest) but if a longer venture pitch aimed at investors (the head of the colleges) would get to the business details that were lacking in this elevator pitch. Even on their website they only mention the topic of cost once. Like you say Doug, it’s nice that they are letting us know about this great cause but I really think that a look at a business plan would reveal how money is made (I didn’t notice that it was non-for-profit, I am assuming it isn’t). My guess is the college who signs up pays them a fee for their services.
No, I would not invest in Learning Unlimited as Dan the CEO of this company is unclear about exactly what problem he is trying to address after viewing his pitch and exactly what the venture is. He is very enthusiastic and does mention credible schools that are involved already so this might spark some further investigating about his company. He does identify the target market but it is not clear as to how it will sovle a current issue and if this product will save money and improve learning. The visual aspect of the pitch did keep me interested as a viewer.
Catherine
No, I would not invest in this venture because as an investor I don’t understand how money would be made; details of the business plan would need to be reviewed.
I though the pitch was well laid out. It addressed a need and solution for highschool students (as well as the college student leaders) to be more engaged and excited about learning. It provided concrete details on what they have done and where they are going. The only thing I found lacking in this pitch was that he didn’t say what the universities and colleges get in return. I am not familiar with how students choose which school they will go to but I would think that creating this sort of learning opportunity could hugely benefit the university. As the president of the university, I would be very interested in learning more about this venture.
The presenter was credible and professional but I didn’t like the background as it reflected an old style of teaching, the use of a blackboard, which seemed to contradict the type of interactive learning they strive towards in their programs. It didn’t mention competition but it may provide a easier solution for the coordination of highschool student engagement than what is currently available in many colleges.
It is highly unlikely that I would invest in this venture as it is unclear to me what this product is offering. Based on the video alone, I believe they are offering services to setup a movement at each campus but if that’s the case, it is too easily duplicated and likely a limited lifespan for renewing members. However, Dan’s motivation and description of the movement gives me hope that there may be more than what was initially shown so I would likely request at least some additional details to get a better idea of what is being offered, what is being requested, and how profits will be generated.
I agree Patrick. I know of a few programs that are similar to these in our area. Day camps and after-school camps lead by university students with elementary. While the kids enjoy the camp, the program is dependent on enrollment and availability of school space to host the camps. I think the program here is more for social gain and providing university students with experience working with children rather than a money making venture?
Doug Connery 7:28 pm on September 18, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Venture pitch – Learning Unlimited
No, I would not invest in Learning Unlimited as I do not know what Dan wants or needs through this pitch.
This sounds like a great service – “leading a movement of College students to teach high school students to love learning” So I assume the problem they are solving is high school students lack of enthusiasm for learning. It is a great concept to inspire high school students by College students who may only be a few years their senior.
Dan shows his enthusiasm and passion for the project so this helps the viewer to pay attention. He provides authority through his credentials as CEO, the large growth of the movement with students served and campus’s served, and the well-known Universities served. The video clips show the excitement by both the students and teachers.
As a citizen, this pitch made me feel good as all stakeholders are benefiting: teachers, students, Colleges. But as an Educational Venture Analyst, it left me wondering what he wants other than to let me know this is a great cause through his infomercial.
Doug.
Jenny Brown 3:02 pm on September 22, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I am wondering if this was more of a general pitch (to provide general info about their product and spark interest) but if a longer venture pitch aimed at investors (the head of the colleges) would get to the business details that were lacking in this elevator pitch. Even on their website they only mention the topic of cost once. Like you say Doug, it’s nice that they are letting us know about this great cause but I really think that a look at a business plan would reveal how money is made (I didn’t notice that it was non-for-profit, I am assuming it isn’t). My guess is the college who signs up pays them a fee for their services.
C. Ranson 8:09 am on September 22, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
No, I would not invest in Learning Unlimited as Dan the CEO of this company is unclear about exactly what problem he is trying to address after viewing his pitch and exactly what the venture is. He is very enthusiastic and does mention credible schools that are involved already so this might spark some further investigating about his company. He does identify the target market but it is not clear as to how it will sovle a current issue and if this product will save money and improve learning. The visual aspect of the pitch did keep me interested as a viewer.
Catherine
Jenny Brown 2:54 pm on September 22, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
No, I would not invest in this venture because as an investor I don’t understand how money would be made; details of the business plan would need to be reviewed.
I though the pitch was well laid out. It addressed a need and solution for highschool students (as well as the college student leaders) to be more engaged and excited about learning. It provided concrete details on what they have done and where they are going. The only thing I found lacking in this pitch was that he didn’t say what the universities and colleges get in return. I am not familiar with how students choose which school they will go to but I would think that creating this sort of learning opportunity could hugely benefit the university. As the president of the university, I would be very interested in learning more about this venture.
The presenter was credible and professional but I didn’t like the background as it reflected an old style of teaching, the use of a blackboard, which seemed to contradict the type of interactive learning they strive towards in their programs. It didn’t mention competition but it may provide a easier solution for the coordination of highschool student engagement than what is currently available in many colleges.
Patrick Pichette 8:50 am on September 23, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
It is highly unlikely that I would invest in this venture as it is unclear to me what this product is offering. Based on the video alone, I believe they are offering services to setup a movement at each campus but if that’s the case, it is too easily duplicated and likely a limited lifespan for renewing members. However, Dan’s motivation and description of the movement gives me hope that there may be more than what was initially shown so I would likely request at least some additional details to get a better idea of what is being offered, what is being requested, and how profits will be generated.
kstackhouse 12:09 pm on September 23, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I agree Patrick. I know of a few programs that are similar to these in our area. Day camps and after-school camps lead by university students with elementary. While the kids enjoy the camp, the program is dependent on enrollment and availability of school space to host the camps. I think the program here is more for social gain and providing university students with experience working with children rather than a money making venture?