Startup Awareness and

Leadership Training (SALT)

Playbook for the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre
(IEDC)

Kerala Startup Mission G3B, Thejaswini, Technopark Campus, Kariavattom, Kazahakuttom, Thiruvananthapuram
Ph: 0471-2700270; Email: iedckerala@startupmission.in www.startupmission.kerala.gov.in
INTRODUCTION

Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre (IEDC) is a flagship initiative of

Kerala Startup Mission to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among the student
and academic fraternity in the educational institutions in the State of Kerala and
considered as an umbrella programme that would play an instrumental role in fostering
innovation culture in academic institutions. KSUM is coming up with programmes that
support the startup ecosystem and to nurture and nourish the entrepreneurial mindsets
in and around every IEDC.

Startup Awareness and Leadership Training (SALT)

Startup Awareness and Leadership Training is a training programme specifically

designed for students of 9th & 11th standards. IEDCs can select a nearby high school to
implement this programme with the required mentorship and training provided by the
KSUM.

The programme aims to create awareness about entrepreneurship opportunities among

school students and to inculcate scientific spirit among young minds. The SALT
programme can be conducted based on the flexibility of the host institution (Host
Institution is the IEDC that hosts the SALT Programme). While selecting institutions, due
weightage may be given to institutions having Tinker labs. The SALT programme is
envisaged to cover the basics of Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Innovation, Personality
Development, Communication, and much more. Students who have successfully
completed the programme shall be given certificates and other goodies.

Date
Application opens on: 12th September 2021
Application closes on: 5th December 2021
Trainer’s Training Session on: 11th December 2021

Venue
Online - Any online Platforms (For eg: Google meet, Zoom, Airmeet etc.)

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Offline - Classrooms/ labs with power & internet connections

Role of Kerala Startup Mission

KSUM will provide Training of Trainers, Standardisation and Quality Assurance &
Monitoring.

Role of IEDC

IEDCs can select the schools in their own respective localities. The nodal officers can
contact the Principals of the schools and share the details regarding the program.
Student details are to be collected by the IEDCs (Name, Contact No, Email ID, Address,
Name of School, Class (9th or 11th), District) in an excel or using any online form.

IEDCs have the liberty to choose the dates, resource persons (students of IEDC) and other
materials (ppts, pdfs, etc) successfully conduct the programme. Few materials provided
by KSUM shall be incorporated along with the other resources. The programme is
designed in 5 modules and the details are explained towards the end.

Registration

IEDCs should register on the Innovate Portal under “PROJECTS”. The registration closed
on 5th December 2021. During the time of registration, nodal officers have to upload the
details of the students handling every module, the template of which is given in the PPT.
The Online Form circulated among the schools can be opened for a period of 15 days to
call for the applicants. Keeping a cap of 30 students per school is advisable to deliver
high quality sessions with efficient outcomes.

Contacting the Participants

After receiving the applications, a Whatsapp group can be created to monitor the
activities of the students. A brochure incorporating all the details can be created and
circulated among the students.

Getting Ready

Students can be given the prerequisites in the form of a checklist prior to each session.
Things in the checklist can include:

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 ● Laptop with internet connectivity
● Google Account, etc
●

Modules

The curriculum of the SALT programme is designed in Five modules in 15 hours. The
modules are flexible and the IEDCs/ Trainers handling this project have the liberty to
shuffle the order of the module based on what best works for the students. The objective
of the project is to encourage students to build a business plan/prototype and display
their business plan/prototype plans at the Expo at the end, where business ideas can be
conceived in the beginning and delivered at the end of the program.

Each module of 3hrs each, is divided into 3 sections comprising Theory, Hands-on, and
Discussion sessions.

● First 40 mins would be a Theory Session - where the resource person would
explain the theoretical side of the concept in a storytelling mode.
● Next 80 mins (1hr 20mins) would be a Hands - on Session where the students get a
chance to apply the concepts that they've learnt in the first session. This is where
students experiment and innovate and come up with their own ideas, brainstorm
and build a prototype.
● The last 60 mins is where the students and the resource person discuss and rectify
the mistakes if any or take tips from other teams. This is where the students are
guided in the right direction of achieving their goals.

Modules Topic Hours Expected outcome

Module 1 Introduction & Team Formation 3 Collaborative work

Module 2 Brainstorming & Ideation 3 Ideation Process

Module 3 Build a Plan 3 Plan with planning tools

Module 4 Marketing & Networking 3 Learn basic marketing tools & website designing

Module 5 Presentation & Pitch 3 Public speaking & presentation

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 Module 1: Introduction & Team Formation

Modules Topic Hours Expected outcome

Module 1 Introduction & Team Formation 3 Collaborative work

When teams develop, they move through a series of stages, beginning when they are
formed and ending when they are disbanded. Team building is an ongoing process that
helps a workgroup evolve into a cohesive unit. The team members not only share
expectations for accomplishing group tasks, but also trust and support one another and
respect one another's individual differences leading towards cohesiveness and
productivity. With team-building skills, an individual/founder can unite employees
around a common goal and generate greater productivity and without them, we are
limiting ourselves to achieve a goal with more time and effort.

The objective of the Module 1 is to encourage collaborative work ethic through the first
40 mins of the Theory Session, next 80 mins can be an engagement model with exercises
and ice breaking sessions and the the last 60 mins is where the students and the resource
person discuss and rectify the mistakes if any or take tips from other teams.

Draft programme plan is as below:

● Ice Breaking session

● The instructor shall explain about the skillset of an entrepreneur
● Team formation through stories, refer video
○ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_vOfqIpD60
○ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMg8WIxtJVs
● Team building activities:
https://www.sorryonmute.com/virtual-team-building-activities-for-teachers-and-st
udents/
● Collaborative learning using Google Drive, Notion
● Outcome: Work with Google Drive, Notion, Zoom, collaborate with teammates
● Book: Five Dysfunctions of a Team

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Ice breaking session is where the students are made comfortable with the trainer and the
fellow participants. Emphasise on the following:

● Importance of entrepreneurship
● Importance of process driven learning:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS2gCgjSq3U&list=PLTp9Bu0cTGUzo4HVbbjp
wtr8jxgHN1KHA&index=4
● Explain the blueprint of the modules
● Explain the importance of team building through a story:
○ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_vOfqIpD60
○ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMg8WIxtJVs
● Let the students divide themselves into groups of max 5 members
● Allow them to come up with a name for their team
● Introduce them to Google Drive, Google Doc and Google Sheet, Notion, Zoom,
Trello and allow them to figure out the functions
● After the first 40 min, allow the students to explore the aforementioned tools and
ask them to create the following:
○ A Notion page for their team
○ A Database of their teammates
○ Assign job roles
● If the program is conducted on any online platforms, students can be separated
into groups through Breakout Rooms
● In the last one hour, the trainer and students shall weigh the plans and the trainer
will have to choose a winning team - which came up with a creative name and
explored the tools well
● The winning team members are awarded with a book - Five Dysfunctions of a
Team

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 Module 2: Brainstorming & Ideation

Modules Topic Hours Expected outcome

Module 2 Brainstorming & Ideation 3 Ideation Process

Brainstorming in business can help you get the creativity flowing. Brainstorming is a
method for generating ideas to solve a problem, which usually involves a group, under
the direction of a facilitator. The ideation phase represents a key transitional step from
learning about your users and the problem, to coming up with solutions. If carried out
properly, an ideation session is where innovation thrives; it should help you stumble
upon that groundbreaking solution that your users have been missing.

The objective of the Module 2 is to educate about the importance of brainstorming and
ideation which will be covered in the first 40 mins. Next 80 mins can be an engagement
model with exercises and the the last 60 mins is where the students and the resource
person discuss and rectify the mistakes if any or take tips from other teams.

Draft programme plan is as below:

● How to brainstorm?
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXZamW4-Ysk
● Make storyboards, mind maps (related to their choice of topic) using Mindmeiser,
Lucid charts
● Pick a project and ideate
● Book: Make Ideas Happen

The trainer can explain the brainstorming process and what to be included in the
process (refer link). The students can be asked to make storyboards, mind maps and
make them pick a project topic. Once they finalise the topic, they shall upload it on
Notion. The team that comes up with the most creative idea can be awarded with a book
called “Make Ideas Happen”

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 Module 3: Build a Plan

Modules Topic Hours Expected outcome

Module 3 Build a Plan 3 Plan with planning tools

For people who are just starting out and forming their own company, whether it's a small
freelance business at home or a new venture with an office and a starting pool of
employees, there's a lot of importance to a business plan. It is a road map, an outline, a
document that explains what your business is, what the goals of the enterprise are, and
how exactly it will set about achieving those goals. It helps in tackling problems,
organising resources, managing finance and much more.

A comprehensive, carefully thought-out business plan is essential to the success of

entrepreneurs and corporate managers. Whether you are starting up a new business,
seeking additional capital for existing product lines, or proposing a new activity in a
corporate division, you will never face a more challenging writing assignment than the
preparation of a business plan.

Draft programme plan is as below:

● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ykkhepT9aE
● What is the business ?
● How does it work?
● Your market?
● What do you need? (make students perform these)
○ Create a name & logo using Canva & Smartdraw
○ State the problem
○ Who the audience are
○ Solution to the problem
● How different from competitors?
● How will you market your product?
● Outcome: Canva, Smartdraw
● Book: The Lean Startup

The need of a business plan can be explained through a story (refer link). Help the

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 students identify the areas like how does a business plan work, what the market is, how
different are they from their competitors, etc. In the second session, the students can be
asked to make a logo for their business on Canva. This can be uploaded on their Notion
Page. Further, they can be asked to write down the following:

● The Problem statement

● Who the audience is
● Solution to the problem

On a Google doc. The team can be asked to come up with a plan and upload it on Notion.
The best plan can be awarded with “The Lean Startup”.

Module 4: Marketing & Networking

Modules Topic Hours Expected outcome

Module 4 Marketing & Networking 3 Learn basic marketing tools & website designing

The concept of marketing is a dynamic concept. It has changed altogether with the
passage of time. Such changes have far reaching effects on production and distribution.
With the rapid change in tastes and preferences of people, marketing has to come up
with the same. Marketing as an instrument of measurement, gives scope for
understanding this new demand pattern and thereby produce and make available the
goods accordingly.

Networking in business is one of the best resources for career development and
professional success. A good network can provide job leads, possibilities for
advancement and opportunities for personal improvement. If you hope to grow your
career and increase your chances of professional success, you need to understand the
importance of networking in business.

Draft programme plan is as below:

● What is a marketing plan?

● Why do we need a marketing plan?

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 ● How do you build a marketing plan?
● The components of the marketing plan
● The value perceived by the consumer.
● Different ways of marketing
● Digital Marketing
○ Building a website - what should you pay attention to?
○ Search Engine Optimization
■ Google Trends
○ How can anyone build a free website?
■ WordPress Basics
● Networking
○ Learn LinkedIn
● Outcome: WordPress, Google Trends, LinkedIn
● Book: The Everything Store

The importance of marketing can be explained

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amkV_9VwSmM)

Teach students the Basics of WordPress and make them build one for their business. Ask
them to make pages on social media as well. Teach them how to use Google Trends and
how use of keywords can amp up their visibility online. They can add the links of their
WordPress websites and social media handles to their Notion Page. The team that
presents the most creative and innovative websites and social media pages are to be
awarded with the book titled “The Everything Store”.

Module 5: Presentation & Pitch

Modules Topic Hours Expected outcome

Module 5 Presentation & Pitch 3 Public speaking & presentation

Presentation and pitching are crucial in entrepreneurship. This is a platform where they
present their products/ideas to investors or potential buyers. Being able to communicate
the capabilities of one’s product is to be portrayed in this stage. Not everyone will be able
to sell their idea or product, not everyone will be innately good at public speaking. But

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this module will certainly be helping students to get over stage fright and put their foot
forward to present their work in front of a bunch of people. This cannot happen
overnight, but through training and regress practice.

Draft programme plan is as below:

● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWRtG_PDRik
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2LwuF7zn9c
● Why should an entrepreneur know how to speak in public?
● Different situations for speaking in front of an audience
● How does the audience see us?
● Presentation structure
● Components of a message transmission
● Dealing with stage fright
● Preparing and practicing for public speaking
● How to Pitch?
● Why is Pitching important
● Dealing with unexpected problems during the speech/presentation
● Just a Minute (JAM)
● Pitch
● Make a presentation with Google Slides and present it

The last module includes presenting their project, before which some fun activities can
be carried out, like JAM.

Post Module Completion

An Expo can be conducted on the third Saturday after the completion of the modules.
The best team can be awarded with coupons and cash prizes and even a chance to meet
and interact with startup founders at a global level. The nodal officers shall upload the
Post Activity Completion Report on the Innovate portal which shall include the details of
the school students, pictures of the session, etc.

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Expected Outcome from SALT

School students will be equipped with the skills of an entrepreneur and would also have
a prototype or a business plan ready by the end of this program. An Expo can be
conducted in the schools at the end of the programme. Each team that can come up with
the best business plan/prototype will be awarded with a cash prize and will get all the
support to develop their prototype into a startup.

Technical and financial support would be provided on a case by case basis depending on
their capability and requirement.

Feedback Survey

To get an understanding of the impact of the course, a survey form can be circulated to
the students. Rectifications can be made available post the completion of the survey to
better the program for the next academic year.

Documentation
A report to be submitted which includes how the programme was conducted, challenges
faced, how you solved the bottle necks, how successfully the cohort was completed and
your recommendations along with the data analysis.

-----------------------------------

Kerala Startup Mission

G3B, Thejaswini, Technopark Campus, Thiruvananthapuram
Ph: 0471-2700270; Email: iedckerala@startupmission.in www.startupmission.kerala.gov.in

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