MADE @ Westmoreland Workshops

Entrepreneurship for Makers

Entrepreneurship for Makers will cover a comprehensive range of topics essential for success in the modern landscape. Woven through the curriculum will be a focus on the unique nature of developing physical products, providing attendees practical knowledge and strategies to navigate the complexities of hardware product development and deployment.

This accelerator program equips inventors, creatives, and early-stage founders with the knowledge and tools required to successfully develop, launch, and scale physical product ventures. Blending entrepreneurial strategy with the realities of hardware development, participants will leave with a clear roadmap from idea to commercialization.

By the end of the course, participants will have gained a comprehensive understanding of entrepreneurship principles and acquired the skills necessary to launch and grow successful ventures in the product space.

Perfect for: Makers, inventors, side-hustlers, creatives, engineers, and aspiring founders ready to bring a product to market.

Instructor

This class will be led by Mike Formica (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeformica1). Mike is a serial entrepreneur who has created several successful hardware startups in sectors including 3D imaging, advanced manufacturing, automotive sensors and robotics. He recently created the Robotics Factory which launched four new accelerators to enhance robotics and manufacturing capabilities. Mike currently teaches Entrepreneurship for Engineers at Carnegie Mellon University with a focus on hardware companies.

Schedule

Week 1 — Find the Opportunity

February 25, 5-7 p.m.

Intro to Entrepreneurship, Value Propositions & Business Models

Great companies solve real problems. Start by identifying meaningful opportunities, defining your ideal customer, and shaping a value proposition that makes your product impossible to ignore. Explore business models that turn your creativity into revenue.

Week 2 — Build Your Competitive Edge

March 4, 5-7 p.m.

Strategic Planning and Competition

Ideas are everywhere — strategic founders are rare. Learn how to position your product, differentiate from competitors, and create advantages that protect your place in the market.

Week 3 — Make People Want It

March 11, 5-7 p.m.

Marketing for Product Ventures | Guest Expert: Karissa Gossman

Even the best products fail without demand. Develop a brand that resonates, craft your story, and design a pre-launch strategy that attracts early adopters and builds momentum before your product even hits the market.

Week 4 — From Idea to Prototype

March 18, 5-7 p.m.

Product Development and Prototyping

Bring your concept to life. Understand the stages of product development, evaluate smart prototyping methods, and learn how early design decisions impact manufacturing, cost, and scalability.

Week 5 — Know Your Numbers

March 25, 5-7 p.m.

Financial Modeling, Tax and Accounting

Replace guesswork with confidence. Build a simple financial model, understand pricing for profit, explore funding options, and gain essential insights into the financial realities of product businesses.

Week 6 — Prepare to Scale

April 1, 5-7 p.m.

Operations, Efficiency & Getting to Market

What happens when demand arrives? Discover production pathways, operational best practices, and fulfillment strategies that help transform a promising product into a sustainable, growing venture.

Location

Sessions will be held at MADE @ Westmoreland: 151 Pavillion Lane, Youngwood, PA 15697 (Business & Industry Center Building)

REGISTER

*Class Size Limited to 10 Entrepreneurs/Businesses