Think like a founder: From budgets to business plans - In-person

How do startups know if an idea can grow into a real business? It’s not a guess – it's math. This workshop demystifies the essentials of financial viability by showing you how to apply the same principles founders use to your own projects, side-hustles, or even your personal budget.

Forget complex models and confusing jargon; this is about understanding the core questions that determine financial health.

This workshop breaks down the essential concepts that determine if a project is built to last by connecting them directly to principles you can use in your own life. We'll move beyond theory and into practice, giving you a framework to analyze costs, understand profitability, and see how these strategies inform critical business decisions. You’ll leave with the tools to confidently assess the financial potential of an idea and manage your own resources more effectively.

By the end of this session, you will be able to:

• Distinguish between revenue (what you make) and profit (what you keep)
• Categorize your costs to figure out your project’s break-even point
• Explain the critical difference between profit and cash flow
• Apply key startup metrics like "runway" to both business projects and your personal financial planning
• Translate core financial terms into plain English (e.g., revenue vs. profit, fixed vs. variable costs)
• Understand the difference between being "profitable" and having cash in the bank

Facilitator: Zaccary Dyck, District 3 Innovation Hub