FAQ: Virtue and Value
What will I get out of the course?
You will learn to start a social business with the best long-term chance of success. You will learn how the most successful serial entrepreneurs think, including how they grow with limited means, manage risk, work with uncertainty, establish partnerships, and create the future. Along the way, you will put into practice leading entrepreneurial theories on product/service design, testing, and customer development. You will also learn meditation practices to help you grow your self awareness, work sustainably through challenges and create positive, lasting relationships.
How do I know if the course is a good fit for me?
We're looking for people who have been successful in the corporate world who want to make a shift into social entrepreneurship and are interested in how meditation can help them do that. We are also interested in employees that want to establish social entrepreneurial ventures inside their companies to move them in a more ethical direction. Motivated social entrepreneurs without a corporate background are also welcome to apply. What's most important is that you plan to start a social business soon and already have an idea for what you want to build. Your first idea might not be the idea you develop after the course, but we want students who will apply what they learn right away.
What if I don't have any experience with entrepreneurship?
That's okay, you don't have to have started a company before. It is helpful if you started a company, worked for a startup, or studied entrepreneurship because you will likely be able to absorb and implement the theory and strategy from the course more readily, but this is not necessary. We are more interested in a demonstrated history of success and your intention to start a social venture very soon.
What if I don't have any experience with meditation?
That's also okay. Just like with entrepreneurship, having a background in meditation is helpful, but not required. We will be teaching meditation so that it is accessible to beginners. You will get plenty of time to share your experience with other students and the instructor, and will get practical guidance on how to apply your meditation practice to your startup.
What kinds of businesses are you looking for people to start?
We want you to choose the business goals that will help you have the most positive impact on the future you can. Part of deciding what that is includes thinking hard about the biggest dangers and opportunities currently facing us. The other part is thinking hard about what you are best situated to address: what networks and skills you have or could develop, and what you care about especially. We will help you think more clearly about both sides of this issue.
There are some broad problems that we think are particularly important to solve. If your business will address one or more of these problems, your application will have an advantage. However, we welcome applications from anyone starting a social venture, whether it will address these problems or not. This is not a comprehensive list of important problems or solutions, and you may know better than us which problems are most important.
- distributed finance, governance, and infrastructure
- increasing community resilience
- regenerative ecology and reconnecting humans with nature
- existential risk/hope (initiatives that could have a significant impact on the survival or flourishing or the entire human species or all of life)
What does the application ask?
The application consists of a few questions to help us get to know you better, learn your work history, and understand your business idea. We evaluate your application based on how soon you intend to start your company, how well you will be able to apply what you learn in the course, and how big a positive impact we expect your startup to have. The more detail you provide us in your application the better.
How much does it cost?
The course costs $450. Limited scholarships are available.
Is funding for my venture available after the course ends?
Yes, you can apply for follow-on funding.
Where is the course taught?
Entrepreneurial Liberation is taught online. Students will come together with the instructor on a video call once/week for six weeks. You will have access to the group forum for discussions with other participants whenever you want. Ongoing mentorship after the course is available as well.
Where can I apply?
Just click the button...
If I have more questions, whom can I ask?
Email zach@theschoolforthefuture.com to set up a 1-on-1 conversation.