Evolve

The Founder's Field Guide To Building A University

Chapter

Building The MVU

In order to begin testing the Evolve model, a minimal viable university will be created. The goal of this MVU will be to simulate the educational philosophy and test whether students accept this model and thrive after completion, both personally and professionally. The MVU will not focus on building the technology platform yet, as we will use No Code tools in order to get a functioning model to deliver the education. Furthermore, the expected team will be much smaller in order to get the first cohort through the MVU. Upon completion of the MVU, we will iterate and scale working towards the full vision outlined previously in this guide.The following is an overview of what the MVU will consist of.

Goals of MVU:

simulate the educational philosophy
test whether students accept this model
measure results for students after completion, both personally and professionally

Steps To Build MVU:

Conduct users needs surveys and interviews to understand pains, desires, and motivations within the higher education experience.
Create a summer pilot program so as to not interfere with current students’ school year. Pilot program will take students through a smaller version of the Evolve education system.
Create landing page for admissions & get 5-10 initial users. Focus on students who were not able to take summer courses or get an internship with existing college.
Run program, document everything, illicit user feedback
Iterate program & scale.

MVU Pilot Progam Components:

Admissions: they submit portfolio and interview
Discovery coaching: helping them identify their animus
Mini Foundations workshops: do about a month of workshops teaching them key components of foundations
Skill tree crafting and gathering the educational resources they need to learn those skills
Practice application of those skills through self created projects
Evaluate mastery of skill by addressing one small problem with partner business/government in consulting project
Help them graduate by creating portfolio/ prepping them to get an internship

I believe to have an effective MVU, there needs to be 2-3 people to execute. This would consist of myself and another co-founder taking on the bulk of responsibilities.

Minimal Viable Team:

Myself

Admissions
Discovery Coaching & Life Board Of Advisors
Skill tree crafting
Graduation
Tech Stack

Active Learning Facilitator

Someone who has worked with college students before or some type of educator
Has coaching experience

Networker

Someone to reach out and maintain relationships with businesses organizations

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