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Signal

Kick start your dream business idea.

Volta Signal is the starting point in our residency program. We work alongside founders like you who are in the idea stage of their startup journey. Our goal is to help you find a Signal in the market and learn the skills needed to test the assumptions your product idea is based on.

Through our 1:1 guidance and support, you'll gain a deeper understanding of your target market, uncover an urgent problem and discover what they're truly looking for in a solution.

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The primary focus for Signal is determining if the problem you're trying to solve is significant enough to build a successful business around.

We're committed to equipping you with the essential skills needed to validate your ideas and establish a solid foundation for your startup. In the Signal residency track, we concentrate on the following key areas:

Problem Hypothesis
1.
Documenting Problem Hypothesis

We'll help you identify and document the assumptions you're making about the problem, target customers, and potential solution. This enables you to recognize the crucial aspects that need to be tested and validated

Market Research
2.
Conducting Market Research:

We'll guide you in building the skills necessary to research the market you're targeting, understand the alternative solutions available to your target customers, and define the segments of the market that your solution will aim to address. This will help you gain valuable insights into the competitive landscape and identify potential opportunities for differentiation.

Early
Adopter
 Funnel
3.
Building an Early Adoptor Funnel:

We'll support you in creating an early adopter funnel designed to attract and convert early adopters. This involves testing messaging strategies that engage and convert individuals who are open to discussing your startup idea.

Research & Evidence
2.
Developing Problem Research Questions:

You'll learn how to design research questions that gather unbiased data from your prospects. This evidence is essential for determining the critical features of your Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and deciding which features can be implemented later.

Customer Discovery
5.
Conducting Customer Discovery Interviews:

We'll provide guidance on conducting customer discovery interviews with prospective customers, allowing you to gather valuable insights and feedback on your ideas, helping you further refine what is truly needed to deliver value to the market.

Analyze Results
6.
Analyzing Interview Results:

You'll learn to analyze the outcomes of customer conversations to refine your assumptions, focus on the most pressing problems, and pinpoint the issues that customers are willing to pay to resolve.

By developing these skills, you and your team will be well-equipped to validate your startup ideas and create products that cater to the needs of your target customers.

Problem Hypothesis
1.
Investment Readiness:

Securing the necessary funding to fuel your growth is critical when scaling your startup. At VOLTA Growth, we'll prepare you for investment readiness by guiding you through creating a compelling pitch deck, honing financial projections, and understanding investor expectations. Our growth coaches and experienced investor network will provide valuable feedback to ensure you approach investors confidently. We'll also help you identify suitable funding opportunities, from angel investors and venture capital firms to government grants, and facilitate introductions to potential investors within our network.

Market Research
2.
Growth Strategy Optimization:

Our growth coaches will work closely with you to review and refine your growth strategy, ensuring it is aligned with your product vision and market opportunities. They will provide guidance on customer acquisition, retention, and expansion, helping you identify the most effective channels and tactics to achieve your growth goals.

Early
Adopter
 Funnel
3.
Performance Measurement and Improvement

Ensuring efficiency and effectiveness as your startup scales requires the right processes, systems, and performance measurements in place. Our growth coaches will guide you in refining your internal processes and implementing a data-driven approach to decision-making. By establishing a robust performance measurement system, you'll be able to track the right metrics, monitor progress, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions that drive growth and long-term success.

Research & Evidence
4.
Team Building and Leadership

A high-performance team is crucial for the success of your startup. We'll help you assess your current team's strengths and weaknesses, identify key roles that need to be filled, and develop a plan to attract and retain top talent. Additionally, our growth coaches will provide guidance on leadership development, enabling you to lead your team effectively as you scale.

Work from Where It Works for You
All residency programs are virtual, but Growth residents have the option to do a space rental add-on.
MVP Design
Design
  1. Customer Problem Mapping:
    We'll guide you in mapping your customers' problems and their journey, and help you define a set of requirements that improve upon the existing solutions available in the market.
  2. Feature Development and User Experience:
    We'll assist you in converting the identified requirements into a set of features and user experiences, ensuring that your MVP is easy to understand and adopt.
  3. Wireframe Design:
    You'll learn how to create low and high fidelity wireframes, providing further clarity to the user experience you're aiming to develop.
  4. Continuous Customer Discovery:
    We'll support you in conducting ongoing customer discovery sessions to test the assumptions you're making with your envisioned solution. By gathering feedback, you'll be able to improve and refine your MVP's features and overall design.
MVP Development
Development

In the development phase of your Catalyst Residency, we'll work closely with you to bring your product idea to life. This stage involves conducting a gap analysis of the funding, talent, resources, and skill development needed to create your MVP and support its growth.

As a founder, you'll acquire valuable knowledge and skills to ensure the successful development of your MVP and the long-term sustainability of your company. In this phase, we focus on the following key areas:

  1. Customer Problem Mapping:
    We'll guide you in mapping your customers' problems and their journey, and help you define a set of requirements that improve upon the existing solutions available in the market.
  2. Feature Development and User Experience:
    We'll assist you in converting the identified requirements into a set of features and user experiences, ensuring that your MVP is easy to understand and adopt.
  3. Wireframe Design:
    You'll learn how to create low and high fidelity wireframes, providing further clarity to the user experience you're aiming to develop.
  4. Continuous Customer Discovery:
    We'll support you in conducting ongoing customer discovery sessions to test the assumptions you're making with your envisioned solution. By gathering feedback, you'll be able to improve and refine your MVP's features and overall design.
Access to Non-Dilutive Funding
Funding

As your company initial takes off, you will need to leverage non-dilutive funding to assist with building your product and attracting the right talent. It can often be difficult for a first-time founder to navigate the funding landscape and learn how to leverage the numerous funding opportunities within the region. At the Catalyst stage, Volta will assist you in navigating the non-dilutive funding landscape in Atlantic Canada by:

  1. Sharing Knowledge:
    We will introduce you to commonly accessed grants and share tips on how to apply and best leverage opportunities.
  2. Making Introductions:
    We will connect you with the right resources and advisors at partner funding organizations and economic development agencies.
  3. Creating a Roadmap:
    You'll learn how to create low and high fidelity wireframes, providing further clarity to the user experience you're aiming to develop.

Admission Requirements

Signal
  • An idea for solving a real problem through a technology based solution
  • The startup founder(s) are based in Atlantic Canada.
  • Willingness to document its startup’s profile to communicate your vision.
  • The startup founder agrees to meet with growth coach on a regular cadence as milestones are reached.
Apply to Volta Signal
Do you have questions surrounding support at the Volta Signal level?
Email academy@voltaeffect.com and a member of the Volta team will be in touch within two business days.
Do you have questions surrounding support at the Volta Signal level?
Email academy@voltaeffect.com and a member of the Volta team will be in touch within two business days.
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