Duo Keyboard Koalition - WUSA PItch Comp

Grow as ourselves, Build for the team, Win for the Koalition

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Primary Target Customer Segment

Target Customer

Ambitious hackathon participants from technical universities (e.g., University of Waterloo) who frequently build short-term projects but lack pathways for long-term venture creation.[1]

Objective

Validate that these hackers seek community, mentorship, and a structured process to take projects beyond the hackathon stage and into venture readiness.[1]

Time Frame

8-9 days.[1]

Number of People to Engage

12-15 distinct hackathon alumni who have built at least one project in the past year.[1]

Success Criteria

  • At least 8 participants express explicit interest in a pre-incubator community
  • 5+ share specific barriers to post-hackathon execution
  • 3 commit to joining or piloting a DKK cohort[1]

Bonus Challenge

Secure a commitment from one university department (faculty or student organization) to promote DKK or provide resources for founder training.[1]

Strategic Hint

Approach alumni networks, hackathon organizer Discords, and technical student clubs to find participants most eager for post-event support; use casual, problem-focused conversations rather than pitching the idea outright.[1]

Alternate Customer Groups

Hackathon Organizers

  • Organizers who run major university hackathons and want increased alumni success stories for their events.[1]
  • Objective: Interview 3-7 organizers to gauge interest in connecting their alumni with structured venture support programs.[1]

Early-Stage All-Round Student Teams

  • Student groups with a mix of software, hardware, and business skills, often participating in incubator challenges but failing to transition to startups.[1]
  • Objective: Survey or host roundtables with 9-12 teams, focusing on current frustrations, mentoring gaps, and retention after competitions.[1]

Quest Category

Customer Discovery:

  • Conduct interviews, mini-surveys, and feedback sessions to uncover motivations, blockers, and desired resources for turning projects into ventures.[1]

Skill Development Elements

  • Learn to engage in unbiased, problem-centric conversations ("The Mom Test" style)
  • Practice segmenting broad market groups into focused, findable subgroups[1]
  • Document commitments and actionable feedback, not just compliments[1]

This structure guides the DKK team to validate the real needs and motivations of their target customer, quantifiably and within a short time frame, while allowing them to test alternate segments and secure early institutional support.[1]

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