Grow Your Organization.
Change the World.
- Randy Shawn Fisher
"You taught me how to see things completely differently."
Dr. Nimzing Ladep, a liver doctor and chronic disease specialist with the NHS, developed an app to educate and measure adherence to medications. He was originally focused on technology push vs. a customer centric approach to product development and seeking investment.
He learned how to apply customer discovery to his activities, by employing a greater sense of curiosity and empathy. His learning led to new insights and opportunities with his app, as well as for healthcare consulting expertise for projects in the UK and Africa. "It’s a complete difference in thinking that has reshaped my approach to investor funding."
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- Dr. Nimzing Ladep, UK
Founder and CEO, Medic Alert Me |
We Teach You HOW to Speak the Language of Funders.
"I've become more confident."
Alimatu Dimonekene MBE
Founder, A Girl At A Time Sierra Leone & UK Since I’ve worked with Randy, I have gained so much insight into how NGOs like mine can bridge the gap between my vision and activities advocating for women and better health outcomes - and speaking the language of funders who want to make a difference. Randy is an incredible mentor, and his commitment to helping me succeed is very motivating and inspiring. I’ve become more confident - and even though I am the founder of an NGO, I now see that I can be entrepreneurial too! Through my collaboration with Randy, I’m learning the true importance of being investor-ready. By embracing the proven method of customer discovery, I’ve had many “Eureka” moments! |
At Startup Investors Lab, our goal is to provide active, relevant learning in a friendly, social format.
Our Live Learning Lab Experience is designed for active participation, actionable insights and peer learning.
Our innovative, practical and real-world format - provides learning in small engaging bites, and enables you to use and learn new skills, and share your knowledge and experience.
Our Live Learning Lab Experience is designed for active participation, actionable insights and peer learning.
Our innovative, practical and real-world format - provides learning in small engaging bites, and enables you to use and learn new skills, and share your knowledge and experience.
Program Description
Funders are looking to make an Impact and get value for their money - whether it is social, financial or both. This might be 10x, 100x or 1000x!
Communicating effectively with funders is like learning another language: funders use a different vocabulary than you might be used to. This extends to behaviors, expectations and social norms, professionalism and coachability.
Knowing how and when to put these into practice goes a long way to building trust with funders, building valuable relationships and reducing their risk.
Startup Investors Lab has unique insights into How Funders Think, and positioning nonprofits and social impact organizations for success with private and public sector investment.
Our unique and proven methodology also removes the anxiety from approaching and speaking to funders. This will be a great advantage for you. It will also help you recruit, retain and motivate your Board members.
We have established strategic partnerships with funding organizations, opinion leaders and investment groups using the methods we will teach you.
We offer 1-1 individual coaching and workshop / cohort programs.
Communicating effectively with funders is like learning another language: funders use a different vocabulary than you might be used to. This extends to behaviors, expectations and social norms, professionalism and coachability.
Knowing how and when to put these into practice goes a long way to building trust with funders, building valuable relationships and reducing their risk.
Startup Investors Lab has unique insights into How Funders Think, and positioning nonprofits and social impact organizations for success with private and public sector investment.
Our unique and proven methodology also removes the anxiety from approaching and speaking to funders. This will be a great advantage for you. It will also help you recruit, retain and motivate your Board members.
We have established strategic partnerships with funding organizations, opinion leaders and investment groups using the methods we will teach you.
We offer 1-1 individual coaching and workshop / cohort programs.
Benefits
- Increased Funding Options
- Strategic Growth Opportunities
- Stronger Funder / Stakeholder Relationships
- Networking and Connections
- Confidence and Independence
- Less Anxiety and Discomfort with Fundraising
Selected Topics*
- Raising Funding (Public and Private Sectors)
- Raising Alternate Sources of Revenue (i.e., consulting, expertise, training)
- Changing Your Mindset and Story
- Curiosity and Empathy - for Funders
- Developing Your Value Proposition and Messaging
- Ensuring Professionalism
- Deep Dive into Your Benefit Statement, ROI and Impact / Outcomes
- Develop an Evergreen Story - as Traction / Results Achieved
- Targeting the Right Funders from the Private Sector, Family Offices, Governments
- Developing Effective Partnerships
- Building Trust
- Effective Presentations & Opportunity Briefs
- Funder / Influencer Marketing & Public Relations & Branding Campaigns
- Position Your Organization as a Category-Defining Investment
- Thought Leadership & Branding
- Getting Warm Intros & Relationship-Building
- Building Your Network and Engaging Stakeholders
* Subject to change without notice unless bound by contractual agreement.
FAQ
How is this Program Different?
We Focus on Customer Discovery.
This term typically refers to the process by which tech companies find “Product/Market Fit”.
We have adapted this proven, evidence-based process to Nonprofits and Social Impact Organizations and Services.
Typically, people seek funding the wrong way - by asking for the money first.
We teach you how to use Curiosity and Empathy to learn about the funder's needs and priorities that are not listed on their websites or in press releases..
Organizations "buy" differently than the public pronouncements. Getting at that ‘insider” information requires 1-1 interviewing, analysis and interpretation, and the development of insights. This is what happens when one does "Customer Discovery".
This term typically refers to the process by which tech companies find “Product/Market Fit”.
We have adapted this proven, evidence-based process to Nonprofits and Social Impact Organizations and Services.
Typically, people seek funding the wrong way - by asking for the money first.
We teach you how to use Curiosity and Empathy to learn about the funder's needs and priorities that are not listed on their websites or in press releases..
Organizations "buy" differently than the public pronouncements. Getting at that ‘insider” information requires 1-1 interviewing, analysis and interpretation, and the development of insights. This is what happens when one does "Customer Discovery".
Facilitators

Randy Shawn Fisher, MA, has worked with 75+ startups and early-stage companies on customer discovery, business model development, product-market fit and fundraising. He has a Masters in Organization Management and Development from Fielding Graduate University. He is the Founder and CEO of Startup Investors Lab, and Customer Discovery Pros, an agency that helps early startups and early-stage companies find product/market fit, get "investment-ready" and commercialize their technologies.
From 2006-2016, Randy worked in the Education Sector, designing and developing organizational learning, culture and capacity-building programs for organizations such as The Commonwealth of Learning / WikiEducator.org, Caribbean Development Bank and University of Ottawa. He was also the founder and CEO of Development Wisdom, a nonprofit focused on ICT, education and entrepreneurial solutions for people in developing countries. Read his case studies for capacity-building in community media in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.
From 2006-2016, Randy worked in the Education Sector, designing and developing organizational learning, culture and capacity-building programs for organizations such as The Commonwealth of Learning / WikiEducator.org, Caribbean Development Bank and University of Ottawa. He was also the founder and CEO of Development Wisdom, a nonprofit focused on ICT, education and entrepreneurial solutions for people in developing countries. Read his case studies for capacity-building in community media in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.
David Friedman, MBA was a consultant and partner at McKinsey, working on strategic and organizational challenges in health care, pharma, transportation, insurance, real estate and many other service industries. After 15 years at McKinsey, he started Bridgewell Partners, a company to train and coach professionals on selling. He also launched Collaborating Minds, an online problem-solving community. From 2015-2021, David was faculty at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management leading Executive Education programs. David has an MBA from Yale and a BA from Harvard University.
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