Discover Program - Fall 2026
Participants test their business ideas over six sessions by running experiments on desirability, feasibility, and viability. The program helps entrepreneurs and small business owners develop a business plan, understand their customers, and validate market fit. Individuals who are ready to actively work on validating their ideas and solving real problems will benefit from this hands-on workshop.
Details
About this event
TEST YOUR BUSINESS IDEA
Over six sessions, you will run experiments to test:
Desirability (do customers want this?)
Feasibility (can I do this?)
Viability (can I make money?)
There are four two-hour sessions included in the Discover program, plus two one-hour virtual labs. All in-person sessions take place at City of Airdrie City Hall. You will be provided a link for all virtual labs.
Sept. 1 session - 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 3 virtual lab - 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Sept. 15 session - 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 17 virtual lab - 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Sept. 29 session - 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Oct. 13 session - 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
What will you do?
Develop a 1-page business plan to help you deconstruct your idea into its key assumptions.
Identify who your customers are, what they look like and how they behave to build a better solution for the problem they want to solve.
Conduct experiments to test assumptions for market fit, viability and market risk.
Evaluate how big and compelling customer problems are - and if it’s worth your time and money to try to solve them.
Who should participate?
People with an idea for a business, or looking to add an additional product or service to your existing offerings.
Entrepreneurs and small businesses with products and services from any industry.
Those willing to 'do the work' between sessions, including getting out and talking with potential customers and conducting experiments.
Discover welcomes partnerships and requires that all partners pay the participant fee.
" I really loved this program and felt like it built my confidence a lot. I feel more supported and able to start my business when I am ready."
" In the past, market research felt like a very technical guessing game. This program has shown me a plan of how to get it done in a more interesting and hands-on way."
- 2023 Discover Participants
"Local business and new ideas are the lifeblood of commerce and the advancement of our society. This program was so helpful because it introduced me to tool