Gate 1 : Ideation and the Founders Team 

Find Your Idea, Build Your Team

Gate 1: Ideation and Founders Team

Turn Your Passion into a Startup Idea and Find Your Crew.

Have an idea buzzing in your head (or no idea at all)? Gate 1 helps you come up with impactful startup ideas from what you love, and shows you how to find the right people to build it with. You'll brainstorm creative solutions to real problems, learn how to team up with friends or classmates, and start your personal innovation journal along the way.. Through practical exercises, students will create a portfolio showcasing their entrepreneurial mindset and strategies for addressing real-world problems.

Gate Structure

The Gate is divided into several Keys ( Themes), each focusing on a specific aspect of entrepreneurship. Each Key includes readings, discussions, practical assignments, and business-related deliverables. 

Themes you will cover

  • Key 1 : Ideation: from Passion to Brainstorming Problems to Solve

    Key 3 : Build a Founders Team

    Key 3: Sifting Out Good Ideas from Bad

    Key 4 : Raison d’être of the Business

Applications and Assessments

The programme emphasises the practical application of each concept through various exercises to be performed both independently and in groups. These activities provide learners with opportunities to grasp the concepts and develop their skills.

What do you get from it?

  • Identify a meaningful problem to solve (something you care about) and turn it into a solid idea.

  • Learn a step-by-step brainstorming process to test if your idea could work in the real world.

  • Figure out how to build a founding team with people who bring skills you might lack (so you’re not doing it alone)

  • Craft a compelling reason for your business (‘raison d’être’) that tells everyone why your startup exists

  • Reflect on your progress and learn to bounce back from challenges – entrepreneurship is a journey!

  • Practice pitching your new business idea in 30–60 seconds – perfect for sharing with mentors or friends

Delivery System

  • Concept Notes

  • Applications Exercises of each Theme

  • Videos Explaining Each Concept by Experts and Entrepreneurs

  • Webinars to discuss the themes with students

  • Thematic Interactive Discussion with the Learners

  • Peer Evaluation

  • Mentorship Session

  • Virtual Class

  • Assessments

What is Required From You 

The Gate is divided into several sections, each focusing on a specific aspect of entrepreneurship. Each module includes readings, discussions, practical assignments, and assessments.

Certificate and Badges

Students are awarded a certificate upon completion of the gates. They also receive badges upon completing an application related to a specific skill set. 

How we support you

We will provide support throughout your learning experience. Your learning Success manager will be available to support you if you have any questions or need any help. You can also schedule one session with a mentor to discuss entrepreneurship questions related to this gate. 


Idea Generator and Team Builder

  • Skills

    1. Problem identification

    2. Market pull vs tech push

    3. Idea generation

    4. Idea filtering

    5. Problem statement design

    6. Founding team formation

    7. Team charter creation

    8. Raison d’être articulation

    9. 30–60s pitch creation

    10. Ideas journal keeping

  • Use Case

    1. Spotting real-world problems to build a business around

    2. Choosing between solving market needs and using new technology

    3. Creating multiple startup ideas from scratch

    4. Selecting the most viable, impactful ideas to pursue

    5. Structuring and presenting a clear problem definition (Problem Canvas)

    6. Assembling a team with complementary roles (Hacker, Hustler, Hipster)

    7. Defining team roles, goals, and shared values

    8. Crafting a purpose-driven mission for a new venture

    9. Presenting a startup idea clearly and persuasively

    Documenting problems, ideas, and reflections over time