Founder Skills

Master the Founder Skills that turn your startup vision into execution

Every founder needs a foundation — a set of Founder Skills that bridge vision with execution. Our Employee to Founder Program equips you with these essential skills to build and scale a successful startup. You’ll receive hands-on training across six core areas — Cloud, Data, AI, Marketing, Sales, and Financials — the technical and business pillars of modern entrepreneurship.

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Explore the modules below -

1. Cloud

The cloud is the foundation of modern startups—it’s where your product will live, scale, and thrive. Even if you hire a developer to manage it, as a founder, you must understand how the cloud works.

Why? Because your ability to make smart architectural decisions will directly impact your startup’s scalability, performance, and cost-efficiency. The cloud isn’t just a tool; it’s a strategic advantage when you know how to use it right.

In this module, I’ll teach you everything you need to know about the cloud, from A to Z:

* How to achieve high availability so your product is always up and running.

* Scaling strategies to ensure your product grows effortlessly with demand.

* The power of serverless architecture to save time and money.

* Advanced techniques like caching and decoupling to optimize speed and reliability.

* Mastering databases, networking, and security to keep your data secure and your operations smooth.

This isn’t just technical knowledge—it’s the critical foundation you’ll rely on to build, scale, and sustain your startup in today’s competitive world. Once you understand the cloud, you’ll not only have the confidence to lead your team but also the clarity to make decisions that set your business apart. We will also help you in becoming an AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate.

2. Data

They say data is the new gold or the new oil—but in today’s world, it’s so much more. Data isn’t just an asset for your startup; it’s the ultimate competitive differentiator. Why? Because while most technology layers—like infrastructure and development—have been democratized, the ability to leverage data effectively is what sets great startups apart.

But here’s the catch: raw data alone isn’t enough. It’s only valuable when it’s transformed into actionable insights. That’s why understanding how to collect, process, and apply data is so critical.

In this module, I’ll teach you the entire lifecycle of data management -

* How to collect and store data effectively, ensuring you capture what matters most.

* Techniques for managing and transforming data into meaningful information.

* The secrets behind creating a feedback loop—iteratively refining your product based on user data to make it smarter, faster, and more adaptable.

This is the same data flywheel strategy that companies like Amazon and leading consumer tech brands use to dominate their markets.

I also will teach you data lakes, data warehousing, databases and even blockchain!

By the end of this module, you’ll understand how to turn your data into a powerful engine that drives your product’s evolution and your startup’s success.

3. AI

In today’s landscape, data-driven companies leveraging AI are outperforming their competitors at every turn. AI isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a critical component of building a resilient, future-ready startup.

In this module, I’ll give you an end-to-end understanding of AI, empowering you to harness its full potential. We’ll cover:

* Traditional AI: Learn the core principles and applications that have been transforming industries for years.

* Generative AI: Discover how cutting-edge technologies like GPT models and other large language models (LLMs) are reshaping product development and customer interactions.

* Prompt Engineering: Learn how to communicate with AI effectively to unlock its capabilities.

* Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG): Explore how to integrate AI with your proprietary data for personalized solutions.

* Fine-Tuning and Agents: Customize AI tools for your specific use cases.

* Safety and Explainability: Ensure your AI is secure, ethical, and transparent to build trust with your customers.

I will also cover how AI is being used in IOT - Internet of Things, Cyber Physical Systems and Robotics. Will also go through the intersection of AI and Quantum Computing.

By the end of this module, you’ll have the knowledge to make AI a core part of your startup’s strategy. Whether it’s automating processes, enhancing user experiences, or making data-driven decisions, you’ll be equipped to use AI as a force multiplier for growth and innovation. We will also help you in becoming an AWS Certified AI Practitioner.

4. Marketing

Marketing isn’t just about advertising; it’s about creating a deep connection with your audience. It’s the bridge between your product and the people who need it most. Without effective marketing, even the best products can go unnoticed.

In this module, I’ll teach you the art of marketing—so you can get your message in front of the right people, at the right time, in the most compelling way possible.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

* Advanced marketing techniques: Learn proven strategies that have helped successful startups thrive in competitive markets.

* Case studies: Real-world examples you can immediately apply to your business.

* The psychology of persuasion: Understand what drives people to take action and how to leverage that in your campaigns.

* Digital marketing essentials: From landing pages to funnels, I’ll guide you step-by-step on how to create a seamless customer journey that converts.

This isn’t just about learning tactics—it’s about mastering the mindset and strategies that make your marketing irresistible.

5. Sales

Sales can feel intimidating for many founders, but it doesn’t have to be. At its core, sales is about building trust and solving problems.

In this module, I’ll take you beyond the traditional “hard sell” techniques and show you how to genuinely connect with your prospects, understand their needs, and guide them to a “yes” that feels natural and authentic.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

* Rapport-building techniques: Learn how to create instant connections with anyone.

* The art of questioning: Ask the right questions to uncover your prospect’s true needs.

* Powerful presentations: Craft pitches that resonate emotionally and logically.

* Closing with confidence: Master strategies to turn leads into loyal customers.

Whether you’re selling to customers, partners, or investors, these skills will empower you to approach every conversation with confidence and clarity.

6. Financials

As a founder, understanding your finances isn’t just a skill—it’s a responsibility. Your financial knowledge can mean the difference between running a sustainable business or one that struggles to survive.

In this module, I’ll demystify the financial aspects of running a startup. You’ll learn:

* How to read and understand financial statements: profit and loss, balance sheets, and cash flow.

* The importance of tracking assets, liabilities, and depreciation to make informed decisions.

* How to use financial data to assess the health of your business and identify growth opportunities.

You don’t need to be a CPA to run a successful startup, but with this training, you’ll have the tools to manage your finances like a pro and confidently communicate with investors, partners, and your team.

Summary of Founder Skills

Each of these skills are designed with your success in mind. From all the technical know-how of cloud, data, AI to mastering marketing and sales to understanding your finances, I’ve thought through every skill and tool you’ll need to confidently build and scale your startup.

This isn’t just a collection of add-ons—it’s a comprehensive toolkit to set you up for success.

When do I start the program?

The program is delivered over a three month period every quarter in a calendar year. The batches run from January to March, April to June, July to September and October to December. After you sign up, we will send an onboarding email and book a call.

Can I join mid quarter?

Yes, you can join mid-quarter! Admissions are on a rolling basis, so you will have access to the remaining live sessions of the current quarter and it's past recordings. Because you joined mid-quarter, you will also have access to all live sessions for the next quarter.

When are classes held?

Classes are held weekly through live zoom sessions (2 to 3 hours on Fridays), followed by study and work to be done throughout the week. The classes will be primarily taught by Mukesh Pandey. Will also have guest speakers who are startup founders.

What if I miss a live class?

If you miss a live class, then no problem! Recordings are uploaded same day to facebook group. You can watch it the evening. It is then moved off from facebook group before the next week's session to a student portal for long term on-demand access.