We're an Idea-Stage Startup Accelerator that teaches full-time professionals how to validate and launch their startup on the side. 5 years and 250 founders l...

Tacklebox is like an MBA that doesn’t wipe out your personal savings. Brian and the Tacklebox curriculum get to the heart of the most important pieces of starting a business. The content around customer segmentation continues to drive a lot of our strategy and thinking.

KAT MCCOY, Founder of Best Kept
Cohort #13

Are you a hustler or tend to like things handed to you? Do you have time to commit to building a business? Finally, are you open-minded enough to try new things and experiment?
If yes to all, join Tacklebox. You will learn how to build a business period. I’ve started businesses before, helped other startups get funding and grow, and ran product teams for many years for several companies and I still found ton of value with Tacklebox.

TONY LEW, Founder of CoSolo
Cohort #17

Evan W..png — Tacklebox forces you to ask questions and consider some things up front that many founders naturally put off until late in their startup journey. Most people go too quickly from their idea toward trying to build the product related to their idea. Tacklebox ensures that you ask the right questions to make sure you are heading down the right path with regards to your idea, like:

- Are you actually solving the problem you are trying to address?

- Is it a problem that is inconvenient enough to need solving?

- What does the day-to-day look like for your ideal customer and what role do you hope to play in their lives?

Many people chase their ideas because they know that there is a gap in the market, but by avoiding some of these questions up front, a lot of people end up heading in the wrong direction.

EVAN WALDENBERG, Junk in your Trunk
Cohort #9

Jonathan S..png — Brian understands how to distill big ideas into actionable products — he’s got a 6th sense for understanding what people want. Any early stage startup that works with him will be miles ahead of where they would be working on their idea alone. Every interaction (consultation?) I’ve had with Brian has left me with actionable insights that helped me take my product from the ideation stage to the market and acquiring users.

Brian’s advice and guidance allowed me to bring my product to market while avoiding unforeseen obstacles and acquire users much faster than I could have done alone. Tacklebox saved me tons of time and tons of money. Probably thousands of dollars building a more refined prototype. I’m really grateful for how that turned out, and for the next idea I have a set path for how to going about building a product from prototype to finish…

Jonathan stidd, cofounder ridge Growth agency
COHORT #2

The roundtable discussions with other alumni and guest speakers are the single most important part of Tacklebox. It’s incredible how much you learn from other entrepreneurs that are going through the same process and, at the same time, how much accountability comes with sharing your weekly milestones with the rest of the class.

LUIS C. GAMARDO, Leafwell

Cohort #9

After Tacklebox, my company’s messaging and story really crystallized. This was not due to writing and re-writing elevator pitch copy, but by testing, learning, and sharpening through following the Tacklebox framework.

RAMONA RAMADAS, Founder of New Trails Navigators

Virtual Cohort #1

Going through Tacklebox twice and deciding not to pursue either idea made it clear that it’s an invaluable investment. Through the workshops I learned a ton about product/market fit, finding the right audience to sell to and more - all pieces of the startup puzzle that I utilize on a daily basis now as I hunt for the next idea. Brian has crafted a program that not only helps first time entrepreneurs bring their idea to market, but it also provides key benefits in helping entrepreneurs understand why they maybe shouldn’t, providing key learnings along the way for all involved.

NICK ROVISA, Director, Business Development at RAIN

Cohort #4 + #9

We had smart discourse and effective strategy sessions with our mentors. Tacklebox provided valuable resources that we continue to use to make decisions and iterate.
Tacklebox was one of the most valuable things I've done (and I've done a bunch of cool shit). I'll definitely and highly recommend - proud to be an alum.

SHELLEY ZHAO, CHRISTOPHER JAMES & DEBBIE SHIWBALAK, Founders of Scoop
Cohort #13

Wow. That one word effectively summarizes our experience with Brian at Tacklebox.

We came into the program having just pivoted our business, feeling really hopeful but pretty overwhelmed about how to start validating this new direction. Brian was a tremendous help, and served as our guide throughout the entire journey.

From the very first class, Brian had a very structured agenda and game plan - and he kept everybody accountable. The program is fast-paced, which means you learn a ton, and you do it in a community of awesome fellow entrepreneurs.

We can’t say enough good things about Brian. He is an incredible thought partner - always the first person we come to for advice - and we feel really lucky to have been part of the program. These were some of the achievements we accomplished during our time at Tacklebox:

:
1) Narrowing in on our ideal first customer, and building an initial target audience out of it; thanks to our extreme focus, we now knew the <20 companies we should be getting in touch with

2) Clarifying our value proposition and really understanding what pain point we were solving, all through extensive user interviews
3) Understanding our key assumptions, and how best we could validate them over time
4) Successfully finding pilot partners to launch our product

Now that the program is over, we look back at all we accomplished during that month and want to do it again. If Brian had a post-program available, you can bet that we would be signed up for it! If you want to gain focus in your startup, narrow in on your ideal customer, build a product that people really want, and make astounding progress, we highly recommend you apply for Tacklebox today.

Marta Jamrozik and Misha Laskin
Cohort #3

If you’re at a very early idea stage, I think it’s a great time to consider going through Tacklebox because Brian will help you refine your thinking and help direct you towards a path to validation. More importantly, Tacklebox helps you get your ideas from out of your head and onto the real world, you’ll start executing and take action.

TAJ ANWAR
Virtual Cohort #2

There’s a logical process that allows you to build on your progress week by week. When you’re done, you’ll feel ready to leave the nest.

RACHEL SERWETZ, Founder of Woken

Cohort #15

Rachel D..png — Tacklebox held me accountable, and made me do things that I probably wouldn't have done without someone making me. I likely wouldn't have made as much progress as quickly as I have without the help of Tacklebox.

RACHAEL DIMIT, Senior Manager of Consumer Research at Foot Locker
Cohort #17

Evan M..png — It's like a crash course on the most neglected stage of startups: actually getting shit going.

EVAN MOODY, VP, Global Brand Strategy and Communications at Dentsu Aegis Network
Cohort #18

Alina B..png — It just made me look at problems that I have and think through solutions to try. I didn’t realize I had those problems with user acquisitions, engagement and messaging.
The benefit is it’s very focused on customer acquisition which is the MOST important component to any startup. Tacklebox helps you break down and understand what you need to do in order to short term, acquire and long term grow your customer base.

ALINA BONSELL, Founder at YofiMed
Cohort #17

I know I am going to start my own business, I just truly wasn’t sure where/how to start. Lectures, articles, and advice, can only lead you so far. Additionally, between working full-time and getting my MBA at night, I felt that I didn’t have the time to do the legwork that would be necessary to start a business. Tacklebox provided a framework that offered inspiration, motivation, advice, roadmaps, milestones, process, and most importantly structure to walk me through the crucial steps of taking an idea in my mind to creating a MVP. I truly think that I have learned more in this three week span than I have in eight years of undergraduate and graduate schooling.

Tacklebox gave a real hands-on approach to starting a business that has given me invaluable insight and confidence to start my own business. The setup of the session led itself to an incredible classroom experience where everyone could collaborate together and feed off of each other’s ideas, inspiration, and excitement. Every session, we walked away with notes upon notes of tips and advice to further hone our idea.

Anyone that is at the point of being ready to start a business owes it to themselves to go through Tacklebox Accelerator. Worst case you’ll walk away 10x smarter in the startup world and what it takes to start a business. Best case you have established not only an incredible roadmap, but also an amazing network to start your business. I’d highly recommend Tacklebox Accelerator. Brian’s experience as a founder, consultant, and VC provides unique perspective no matter the situation or discussion. Brian has a great deck lined up that is both refreshing and captivating. You won’t regret applying for Tacklebox Accelerator.

scott Eichner
COHORT #3

Jake R..png — Tacklebox provided the framework that forced me (internally) to take action since I would be the only one losing out by not working on it throughout the course.

JAKE RABOY, Founder & CEO at Panache
Cohort #17

Hanna Z..png — Tacklebox helped me refining everything I had done intuitively, like limit my target market and find a niche. Work on a step-by-step growth strategy.

HANNA ZRIHEN, Senior Project Manager at Entegra
Cohort #16

I choose Tacklebox because I was at the beginning stages of my company and needed to validate my idea and hear from people other than my friends that I actually had a good idea. I would tell my friends an idea is only the beginning good or bad. If you want to take the first step and build a system the lean way, Tacklebox is the way to go before you invest a huge amount of money.

AL-AMEEN KABBA, Founder & CEO at Payvmnt
Cohort #21

Jessica T..png — I would describe Tacklebox a really intense hypothesis test! Tacklebox helped me focus on my messaging and really forced me to challenge my business idea.

JESSICA LYNN TATUM, Strategy & M&A Consultant at PWC
Cohort #24

Daniel J..png — The mentorship was great - just having someone to share ideas with who is emotionally invested is really valuable. Crystalizing how to move forward, test and learn about the space I'm in - getting me a little unstuck and providing a way to figure out what steps to take to learn by doing and not fearing moving forward.

DANIEL JAMES, Founder and CEO of Canopy
Cohort #17

Jonathan H..png — I was feeling stuck and uncertain of what to do next. Tacklebox presented an answer to the question of what to do.

1) Focused me on customer testing and validation vs. all the many other potential tasks.
2) Created an ambitious schedule and effective accountability structure.

JONATHAN HUNT-GLASSMAN, Director, Retail Segment Strategy at Humana
Cohort #19

Three months into building out our startup, day100, my partner and I had put together an MVP, had some interested pilot customers and were doing our best to get things moving. Our next step was to get some experienced advice and guidance on how we can move from pilot to paying customers to investors. We initially heard about Tacklebox from an accelerator newsletter called F6S and liked how it was focused on helping founders who were exactly at the stage we were at. At the same time, we didn’t know much about it or knew who the founder Brian Scordato was. Quite fortunately, we met Brian the very next week at an event where we were pitching our startup. Brian’s feedback was focused, critical and helped us understand immediately how we could better shape our pitch. We wanted more.

One month later, day100 is in a much better place with a narrowly defined target customer segment, a well-honed pitch, a vetted business plan and 6-month roadmap. We couldn’t have gotten here as fast and in such high quality without Brian and his awesome network of guest speakers. Every one of the sessions was incredibly valuable, from the group work, to the 1 on 1 sessions with Brian, to having the chance to pitch actual investors.

One of the best things about Tacklebox is that Brian understands that early stage startups live at a speed of their own - they don’t have time to go through a 3-month application process for a 6-month accelerator program just to get the kind of advice and guidance they need.

We highly recommend Tacklebox to those who are in the early stage of conceptualizing or building a startup - Brian knows how to get you best set up with the basics so that you can succeed.

Ilya Usorov and Anada Lakra
COHORT #3

Ben O..png — Tacklebox helped me decide if my entrepreneurial idea was worth pursuing by applying pressure on the idea from my different angles. It made me realize how important the early-stage foundational days are in a company as well! I would describe Tacklebox as a pre-accelerator geared towards extremely early-stage founders who want to test an entrepreneurial idea they're passionate about, risking virtually nothing and keeping their day job.

BEN ORNSTEIN, Financial Analyst at Morgan Stanley
Virtual Cohort #4

Anne W..png — I really liked Brian's philosophy about startups / his framework - it resonates a lot with how I like to work and how I want to work. Helped provide an outside (expert) perspective on a framework for the earliest stages of a startup / idea, sounding board for ideas and approach, accountability and learning about areas of the customer journey that I haven't had as much direct contact with (e.g. acquisition).

ANNE WARREN, Omnichannel Product Manager at Alexander Wang Inc.
Virtual Cohort #4

Tacklebox exceeded my expectations. I came thinking I had proved all of my assumptions from user interviews, but I focused more on messaging, SOMs, and channels which I had no idea how much more time I actually needed to focus on those. Midfunnel advice was AMAZING. Now I know I have to spend the most time on that conversion and picking strategies that work.

Cohort #21

Kim R..png — Tacklebox helped to jumpstart me into action. The biggest blocker to starting working on my idea was myself, and the support, structure, and accountability helped me turn idea into action. There's nothing else like this. As a program, it seemed comprehensive, accessible, and actionable. The level of detail and quality of content is extremely high value. It exceeded my expectations.

KIM ROBINSON, Senior Culture Marketing Manager at Red Bull
Cohort #24

Tacklebox provided a BS free startup system where you will discover the honest truth about your idea and its strengths/weaknesses quickly + also be able to iterate on them.

ASHISH GUPTA
Cohort #18

Fatima B..png — I would truly recommend Tacklebox to anyone with an idea and even those in the MVP development stage. I chose Tacklebox because I needed help with the process of segmentation, testing, value proposition, and other things I knew I didn't know yet, but would require working with someone with experience and dedicated time.

FATIMA BOCOUM, Client Partner, Key Accounts at Statista
Cohort #16

Jerry S..png — I’d recommend Tacklebox to people who have a nagging idea in the back of their mind that they daydream about pursuing during their full time job.

JERRY STAUB, Co-Founder @ Fohm Co
Cohort #16

In just 30 days of participating in Brian Scordato's Tacklebox Accelerator, I was able to take my app idea to full-scale MVP, while learning vital basics about targeting the ideal customer, evaluating competition, determining minimum features and more. Within one week, we launched splash pages, conducted in-depth market research, and delivered our first pitch. Throughout the class, we met with Brian one-on-one to hone our products, and worked closely with other members of the class to gain additional perspective. We pitched our products to several well-connected investors and influencers and received valuable feedback from some of the most important players in the startup movement.

Brian's class was a delight; chock full of both humor and the most cutting-edge tools and techniques to design a successful product. The best part about the accelerator was benefiting from Brian's product intuition and industry knowledge. Brian was honest and realistic about success, and provided guidance based on my business goals, while pushing me to think bigger. Brian's personal business experience and formal B-school training helped guide me to the next phase, which includes a six-month implementation plan and professional pitch deck. If you have a promising idea for an app and need a modern and fast approach for taking it to the next level, I strongly recommend participating in the Tacklebox Accelerator.

Lynn Davis
COHORT #3

Tacklebox provided motivation to consistently work on the idea and defined steps for what to focus on in the short-term.

SETH VERBEEK, Head of Operations at Solgaard

Cohort #16

Tacklebox provided a rapid iteration program where you'll be pushed to identify and validate your assumptions on the customer problem & need by actually acquiring those customers. Accountability, creative space to think and experiment, stories & anecdotes to spark ideation

RICHARD LIANG, Global Strategic Startups BD at Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Cohort #23

After graduating from the program, I confirmed for myself that one very specific - yet a huge problem - that remains unsolved today. The problem is the following: stakeholders and third-party constituencies do not care whether or not your startup will succeed. They do care only about ripping the benefits off from you if succeeding. In my point of view, this is the root cause of why so many startups fail nowadays.

However, while being a part of the Tacklebox accelerator, I was finally proved wrong by Brian.

I was proved that by having a really noble and respectful attitude towards a first-time entrepreneur is the fundamental of support! If every single "mentor" in every single startup accelerator had 1/10th of Brian's personal approach and dedication, I bet that way too many startups could have still existed.
I would describe Tacklebox as trustworthy, credible, and personalized. I'd also recommend any friend with a business idea to apply Tacklebox!

LYUBOMIR (LUBO) HRISTEV, Customer Success Manager at Gtmhub
Virtual Cohort #3

Ike E..png — Tacklebox helps you answer the early questions you must ask yourself and your customers to realize if you truly have a business or not. I better understand how to approach value proposition thanks to Tacklebox! I also gained structure and developed a more linear approach to launching.

IKE ECHEBIRI, Founder of App’d
Virtual Cohort #3

Tacklebox helped clarify my startup idea and gave me the tools to test my assumptions more quickly than the method I was using prior to joining. If you are thinking about starting a new business...PLEASE do yourself a favor and apply to Tacklebox and get the tools and feedback you'll need to succeed. It was an extremely positive experience. A very helpful step on my startup journey.

KEVIN CLARKIN, President at Beacon Investment Group
Cohort #18

When I went into Tacklebox, I started with a series of grandiose yet vague and unvalidated ideas, all of which seemed almost impossible to achieve given that I was working on my project nights and weekends. I had too many things that I wanted to do, too many things I wanted to expand my project with.

Brian and Tacklebox helped me distill all the swirling thoughts, concerns and concepts in my head into validated insights, and helped focus them into something that I could take action on immediately. The natural inclination when building a brand or a business is to think farther ahead - but I learned that this can actually be harmful without actual customer validation, and when your idea expands so much that it becomes a nebulous mass of decisions that you can't navigate.

On top of that, Tacklebox has been an amazing resource to not just develop the business, but also to actually feel like your business is something real. When you're a founder, and you're working alone (especially when it's not your main gig), it's difficult not to feel like this is only a "side-hustle" or a hobby. By joining Tacklebox, going through the workshops, and testing your ideas with rigor, research and a framework, practice-pitching to real investors, getting feedback, etc. the internal change that happens is that it makes you yourself take it more seriously.

I came in with a "project" and I came out feeling more confident that I was building a business.

TINA GONG
Cohort #5

A great first step to making your idea or side hustle into an actual business. Tacklebox taught me the valuable lesson of thinking small before going big in scale in order to get the product down correctly. I really liked how evenkill Brian is and how he really seems to care about helping entrepreneurs get their idea off of the ground.

Cohort #18

Tacklebox solved the following problems for me:
- Having time-bound personal accountability to focus on my idea;
- Having a knowledge framework around speaking the “MBA language”
- After years in support of founders, believing I could be taken seriously as a founder myself
- Knowing where to access answers to my very early stage startup questions
- Having other founders to connect with during this vulnerable experience
I longed for tactical continuing education: after getting waitlisted at Wharton, I needed a good next step to level up my knowledge base. Very little exists that provides the quality content you’ve created.

BRITT GAGE, COO at ZZ Driggs
Cohort #18

Tacklebox gave me a process for validating my idea further; it helped provide a framework and organization around a path of inquiry that allowed me to hone in on the weakest part of my concept and test how I would solve it. It also served as a crash course in outreach/messaging and helped me verify that my concept has the potential to have legs. I ultimately moved much faster because of Tacklebox and I learned a significant amount. With my move to Austin coming at the end of the summer, this was the perfect time to jump into the program.

JOSH LEVINE, Founder/CEO at Admit Academy

Cohort #18 + #24

Gabi W..png — Tacklebox provided a structure from how to get from ground zero to point A. It's like a startup bootcamp, and a great way to find out really quick if you are or aren't on to something.

GABI WUHL, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, The Lewin Rubin Team at Compass
Cohort #19

I would say that Tacklebox is where you learn to test your ideas so that you can move forward with confidence. It will save you money in the long term and it will help you to focus your ideas. It's a valuable form of business education that will improve your own quality as a founder and business person. Tacklebox sets your mind on the customer and solving a problem. Met and exceeded expectations across the board. The content is excellent.

GRANT SCHULTE, Senior Director, Engineering at theSkimm

Cohort #19

My 2019 new years resolution was to pursue one of my ideas. I was introduced to the idea to startup podcast where I learned about Tacklebox, the startup accelerator for founders with full time jobs. It sounded like the perfect opportunity to validate my idea and determine whether or not to take the idea forward. It was a perfect fit for where I am in my life and career.

Tacklebox provided the tools and framework to validate my startup idea and determine whether it could become a viable business. Invaluable. I would considerate almost negligent to not run your business idea through the wringer of Tacklebox before considering launching a business.

JAMIL MAMDANI

Cohort #19

Diane E..png — If you have a great business/product idea and you're working full-time - you should take the Tacklebox Accelerator program - it will help you think through key decisions so you don't waste your precious time and energy on unimportant and ineffective issues.

DIANE EWEN, Director of Finance at Ladders
Cohort #19

It's a process that gives you the tools and the resources to understand how to lay the foundation for a company. It will teach you how to take an idea, turn it into something physical, and understand ways to get live feedback on it.
Great program, really loved the whole experience. Highlight for me was definitely the investor pitches. Also loved the in-person aspect of meeting with the rest of the cohort weekly, will definitely keep following the rest of the startups from Cohort 19. Most of the intros/connections made through Brian were highly valuable.

KEVIN DYER, Senior Manager, Planning & Commercial Strategy at Stadium Goods
Cohort #19

Tacklebox gave us the structure and tools our company needed and could not find beforehand. Tacklebox taught us how to properly run customer interviews, create SOMs, and test our assumptions. Before Tacklebox, we were confused and lost at times when it came to launching or testing EVP's.

Tacklebox also solved our largest issue of not having anyone to mentor us through the critical obstacles any early startup has. We were very pleased with how everything went in the seven weeks and it went by fast!

JEHAN GODREJ, Co-Founder and CEO at Deuce Technologies
Virtual Cohort #4

A great mentor and a terrific community. We went into TA feeling alone, isolated and a little uncertain with a new idea, and came out feeling emboldened, positive and excited to bring it to life. Each week we moved a little farther forward, and the combination of coursework, MIT prep, one-on-ones and external resources helped us get a sense of momentum.

If you have an idea you've been mulling, or a concept for a new project, and you want to get it out of your head and into the world, this is a great first step. You'll still have to do the work! But this will help you do the work in a structured way, so that each step moves you a little bit further forward. And it gives you the chance to take the steps in the company of someone who's taken them a few times before - So he can help warn you of some pitfalls, and explain some of the confusing new scenery along the way.

It really is just like it says on the box - Brian is a really nice guy, and this is a great way to move from idea to MVP without quitting your day job. If you have a new idea, and you want a bit more confirmation about it before you take the plunge and go to work on it full time, do a Tacklebox Accelerator. It is such a worthwhile investment. You will learn so much, your product will be better for it, and your future self will thank you.

AMANDA ATWOOD
COHORT #4

Tacklebox helped me narrow my target market by helping me better define and validate customer segments. Tacklebox also helped me think through problems creatively and I really appreciate that as a solo founder -- I was getting lost in a rabbit hole starting this biz out of my apartment and finding it hard to see the full picture once I was all in.
There were a few factors in my decision to choose Tacklebox:

1. Looking for a community of people also going through the process of starting a business that could relate to what I was going through - i.e. "can I do this?", "i have no idea what's going on", "this is SO HARD" "family and friends are not the best support systems", etc

2. TB curriculum (for lack of better word) paired up nicely where I was with my biz - I was all in and needed to test what would resonate most with my customers and also start building a sales cycle. *side note here* I really felt that TB was one of the more effective course style programs I've participated in due to where I was with my business when starting Tacklebox -- which was at the point of no return.

HANNAH CARTER, Founder of Restly Pets
Virtual Cohort #4

Tacklebox is very beneficial for those who are pre-funding but are serious about the company and building it out. The workshops and tests that cohorts go-through are basics that any start-up should run and validate concept as well as the decided approach in building the company out. I was able to validate my idea but also receive confirmation from others that my concept was great. Also, I received support and guidance with where to start on buildout.

SARAH KLEIN, Privacy, Regulatory, and Legal Research Expert
Virtual Cohort #4

Gave the startup process structure - as someone who had no idea how to start beyond throwing money at creating a product Tacklebox really showed me a framework to approach startups.

Cohort #20

Above all, Tacklebox was a forcing function to figure out our initial audience and direction to start. Tacklebox provided an entrepreneurship trial - just enough to get a sense of what the life of an entrepreneur is like to help make the decision to leap (or not).
I went in with no expectations and was honestly blown away at how helpful it was. I never went to B school but I imagine that the foundational training I got in Tacklebox is similar to what I would get from B school classes.

TAYLER CARRAWAY, Founder & CEO of Happy Medium
Cohort #21

Tacklebox provided access to a trusted advisor who was on the journey with us. An experienced founder to help you validate and iterate + keep you accountable. Like adding a jet pack.
Having been in and around a lot of startups over the past 5 years and already having decided to go all-in on our current company it was still incredibly helpful to have the first principles presented in a fast-paced lecture format with plenty of room for discussion

RETT CARRAWAY, Co-Founder & COO at Happy Medium
Cohort #21

Tacklebox helped me clarify my value proposition and messaging strategy. Brian is extremely helpful and willing to help each step of the way! Tacklebox is more than the average accelerator: it's a laboratory to test and validate your assumptions about and and every startup idea you have!

JONATHAN BUTLER, Content Marketing & Brand Strategist
Cohort #20

Tacklebox helped me learn the basics and gave me the startup foundation/framework I was looking for. The program exceeded my expectations and delivered as a startup bootcamp for early-early stage founders.

DOMINIQUE OLOWOLAFE, Founder of Lightly Travel
Cohort #23

I’m so grateful that Tacklebox came along when it did! Before, I was greatly overwhelmed by the sheer amount of tasks that I had to complete as a solo founder. However, Tacklebox provides me and my budding company the structure, organization, and content it needs. The best part, Brian is easy to contact and unbelievably helpful. I feel like he’s a part of my team.

Suzanne Sinatra
COHORT #5

Tacklebox helped me with accountability and a clear plan. It was really the kick in the pants I needed every week to ignite action! I would say, if you've got an idea or start-up that your stalling on or wanting guidance on, then Tacklebox is the place for you. It's basically a startup school.

SARA WADUD, Founder of Tkoor
Cohort #23

This is a great program if you're thinking about becoming/want to become an entrepreneur, but you want to see if your idea is worth pursuing without (1) quitting your day job yet or (2) building/coding anything. We chose Tacklebox because it fit into our condensed schedule; also, the stuff in Brian's podcast/blogs really resonated

TOM MCANDREWS, Partner at Geometric Wealth Advisors
Cohort #23

Tacklebox provided me a thought framework and an intense acceleration program with accountability; it's great for people who need direction on their idea that they want to take off ground. Well exceeded expectations! You guys blew my mind away. I am actually a very critical person...hard to please.

WENCHANG QIAN, Founder at Tardigray
Cohort #23

I chose Tacklebox because their mission resonated with me. I'm working full-time at my 9-5, while also working on a side-hustle. I did everything I could on my own, but needed guidance on other processes unrelated to product development. Tacklebox strengths in customer segmentation, messaging, and customer acquisition is what I needed to establish sustainable habits that will have the biggest impact on my potential for success.

LATOYA LESLIE, Founder of CandShout
Cohort #24

Tacklebox helped me begin the process of validating my product and building a concrete business plan. I had neither before. The perfect program to validate your idea and create a plan to take your idea to the next level.

SHARI CHIN, Project Engineer at Fairfield Residential
Cohort #24

Tacklebox allowed me to edit myself. Taking all the information around me to succinctly find a target audience and a viable idea I could put my energy and full self behind. I would describe Tacklebox to a friend as the most efficient way to take your idea from paper to startup if you're serious about making a revenue producing business.
The program exceeded expectations. Highly worth the value.

Cohort #24

Tacklebox pushes you harder than your comfortable with, for all the right reasons. It focuses your concept, validates your thoughts, and flushes out your personal biases about your product.

PRAPANCH MADHIRAJU, Business Development at Attune
Cohort #24

I had no idea what to expect HOWEVER...it was worth every penny. A pre-product accelerator for someone thinking about starting a business to make sure it's worth their time/money/blood sweat and tears.

KELLY SCHMIDT, Community Lead Generalist at Wework
Cohort #24

What I love most about the Tacklebox experience is the guidance from so many seasoned experts, camaraderie with other founders, a clear road map forward, and a talented tech team who are helping make my big dream come alive. If you are interested in catapulting your business idea, Tacklebox is the most responsible and rewarding way to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey. Kindra only exists because the amazing Tacklebox team believed in me, helped test my idea for viability and prepared me for lift off. Thank you, Tacklebox!

DANIELLE DIMARE
COHORT #6

Tacklebox focused and refined my idea considerably to a point where I feel confident it can be successful. It also validated a lot of my key assumptions and makes me less anxious that I am heading in the right direction.

DAVID FEIGER, Founder at Nook
Cohort #10

Tacklebox told me the hard truth that my MVP was to complicated therefore my product pivoted a little.
I wanted to learn how to get to VCs when I needed them. Tacklebox actually got me to think more about my product and the customer so now I am not too worried about contacting VCs because I feel that I know my product more!

SAMANTHA AYALA, Global Director of E-commerce at E.L.F Beauty
Cohort #10

Before Tacklebox, I was in limbo. When I decided to start working on my idea, I had mentally prepared myself for lots of ambiguity and lack of structure. But all of that is great when you are reading a book about entrepreneurship - not when you are trying to kickstart a new venture. I love the space I am working on and had a gazillion ideas for solutions. But I eventually realized that I needed focus and that's exactly what Tacklebox provided.

SONALI NIGAM, Founder of Petminded
Weekend Cohort #2

It gave me refined focus. I was heading in to general of a direction and now I have a more refined product offering since I have a much stronger understanding of the customer segment I need to target.
I speak about Tacklebox all the time. I specifically said that I am so glad that I was chosen and that I could actually participate. I explained that so many solo founders would benefit from such a program because it would help them avoid the mistakes and pitfalls so many newbies make.

TOCHI IZEGBU, Vice President at Goldman Sachs
Weekend Cohort #2

Tacklebox lit a fire under my ass, validated my idea, uncovered some shortcomings, revealed a pathway, hooking up some connects...
I've been telling people I'm doing an accelerator and if they're not from business/startup world they're like, whats that? and I'm like, well, it's a small class where we get specific startup biz advice and motivate among ourselves and just start fucking doing things already.

NELLIE STOKELD, Brand Builder
Cohort #11

It has been amazing and giving a push and help me have an organized attack plan to test and launch my idea. Before starting the program I was totally lost and have been rambling back and forth with my ideas but never made much progress because I didn’t really know where to start.

Tacklebox is great to give you a framework and push you to make fast progress

CONCHITA GONZALEZ DE CASTEJON, Director at Credit Suisse
Cohort #11

I loved Tacklebox because it gave us a boost in working on our venture, the content was great, the atmosphere and environment created in the sessions was great and positive - it was really nice to get feedback and have everyone thinking on each other’s problems. The feedback we got from Brian was always eye opening and on-point. We got exposure to high profiled people in the industry which is a network we would be able to utilize in the future. It gave us a push to do things we might otherwise would have put off.

DANA MAZIA WEINBAUM, Co-Founder at Partify
Cohort #11

One of the great things about tacklebox is it’s a bit more tangible. “I’m working on a concept with some friends” isn’t as strong as “I’m in a startup incubator” which makes me a little more open to talking about it but I also think it made everyone feel like it was much more real than before.
As a team, I think we were looking for guidance and validation. Personally, I was looking for help in getting the team more focused and picking up the pace. Tacklebox allowed us to focus in on the real issue we’re trying to solve and the important steps needed to get there

WILLS REARDON, Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley

My expectations of Tacklebox prior to session was that we were going to be doing a lot of learning of core fundamentals of building a business and truly understanding our client segmentation piece.
The program blew them away. Not only did we learn, we applied these concepts into real life actionable items and tested each one of them. To say Tacklebox superseded my expectations is an understatement. From the initial process of just having like minded individuals in a room together, to actually providing really great value, teaching lessens, investor pitches and more truly was a remarkable experience. I also think a great point for me was that I thought Tacklebox would be 75-80% learning about ways to attack different markets and learn the tricks of building a business. I was wrong. It was about 10-15% learning & majority of applying these learning lessens to test actual results.

ALEX SIMON, Co-founder of Elude
Cohort #12

Tacklebox far exceeded expectations - we went from a dozen somewhat connected ideas to to a solid understanding of the core offerings we need to test/our target market. The program provided concept clarification, first and foremost, and initial validation of the business.

VICTORIA CONLIN (WATTERS), VP, Marketing at Galaxy Digital Asset Management
Cohort #12

Tacklebox got us organized and on track - we came in with an idea but weren't sure what the best next steps were to make Poppy a reality. Tacklebox taught us a lot of fundamentals we needed to get started - while also giving us a solid plan for the future. It also validated that there is a market for our business.
The program definitely exceeded my expectations! I learned a tremendous amount about the fundamentals of building a company. It was awesome to meet new people building cool things

FRANCESCA
Cohort #12

The program surpassed expectations by far. Validation was extremely important. The curriculum helped shape my mindset for approaching the initial challenges, as well as provided a methodology that made those challenges appear more surmountable. One unexpected side effect of Tacklebox was that we were able to solidify our team structure through the 6 weeks. It made the idea of being co-founders a reality.

CHRIS JAMES, Enterprise Sales Engineer at atSpoke
Cohort #13

In 6 weeks I was going to figure out if Habit House was an idea worth pursuing. If there was an opportunity here. The program 10000% exceeded expectations.
Before Tacklebox I had domain expertise in the health and wellness space, a vague idea for a digital media brand I thought should exist and 4 week habits module I wanted to tie into that. I had done some competitive research. I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to build, but knew people had a problem and were looking to solve it.
After just six weeks I am SO close to making money and can actually see quitting my day job as something realistic. I have a base product and am piloting it with 10+ women. Most importantly, I have a clear idea how to test, evaluate, learn, and re-test so I quickly and cheaply iterate on works to build something truly valuable that customers want. I also know how to pitch it, and have a sense of the VC process.

I also have clear frameworks for how to build a company should I want to apply it again.

ILSE PAANAKKER, Founder of Habit House
Cohort #13

Tacklebox raised a ton of problems and proceeded to either solve them or suggest ways in which we might be able to solve them. It's one thing to produce or read education materials on something, and it's an entirely different thing to apply them to your own startup. Tacklebox pushed us, gave us structure, and taught us creative ways of thinking about problems and solutions that we had not yet practiced.
Tacklebox far exceeded my expectations, many times over.

ABIGAIL ROGERS-BERNER, Digital Marketing Analyst at Goldman Sachs
Cohort #14

I needed someone to help show me how to organize everything that was going on and hone in on a plan to figure out if what we were doing made sense and how to move forward. I thought that the conversations were just as beneficial and that your lectures (or TED talks) were really helpful.

ARIEL ROSENBERG, Strategic Partner Manager at DoorDash
Cohort #14

I chose Tacklebox because I was starting to build a product, but needed help on every single thing that goes into getting a startup off the ground

It's hard to do a startup and having someone who has helped countless startups makes it easier :)
The biggest thing I learned was how to quickly test hypotheses and iterate up to get closer to the "right" answer.

TEJAS KONDURU, Co-Founder & CEO at Via
Cohort #15

Tacklebox exceeded expectations. Not only did I start dedicating time but I got excited about my business! Tacklebox changed my attitude towards starting my own business from "why do you think you can do this" to "why in the hell didn't you start this sooner"

AMANDA DINAN, Buyer at Ross Stores
Cohort #15

Tacklebox provided a solution for structure, teaching us a system for consistent progress that we can utilize both now and as we grow. We had thought about a few other accelerators, but we were really too early for them. Tacklebox was perfect for where we were at. We felt like the value we were going to get was WELL worth the price, and we were right. It was a no-brainer.
Anyone with a seed of an idea who wants to learn how to go about validating and growing that idea. I don't have any names in particular right now, but I'd strongly recommend Tacklebox to anyone I know who is in the process of standing an idea upright before they pursue it further.

MIA EISENHANDLER, Senior Consultant at TopBloc
Virtual Cohort #1

Tacklebox was absolutely worth the investment for me--so incredibly important to understand the process, as it's nothing like you'd think it is on paper. I learned so much! Most importantly, a "start up" is not a product or a solution. It is the recognition of an acute issue a particular group of people face and a unique perspective on a way of solving. Products are a side effect.

HILARY MURDOCK, Senior Director, Head of Product Marketing at Threekit
Virtual Cohort #2

Tacklebox is here to focus, refine, pivot, and re-focus an entrepreneur and his or her idea. Tacklebox presents critical methods and considerations that any entrepreneur and startup should go through. It's a process to get us on the right path to success and not on a path in the wrong direction doomed to fail. The connections and group mentality are also very important.

DAVID FEIGER, Founder at Nook
Cohort #10

Who should join Tacklebox? Everyone!

MICAH BROWN, CEO at BrainRap
Cohort #11

The biggest benefit to Tacklebox is the flexibility and structure. I have a demanding job with lots of travel. Even though I couldn't make all of the session in person, I felt I had all of the tools to stay connected.

This program is perfect for the entrepreneur trying jugging a full time job while considering how and when to go all-in on their startup.
We were the first international co-founders (U.S. and China) to go through Tacklebox. The program was super flexible in adapting to multiple time zones and tech to make it work.

JIM LECHLEITNER, Cofounder of Park Bridge Partners
Cohort #13

Prior to Tacklebox, I had been running a moderately successful commercial film production company. I honestly wasn’t sure I needed a service like Tacklebox in order to get my idea off the ground. Tacklebox really methodically helped me refine the idea so it’ll have the best chance of success.
Tacklebox is like a mix of school, boot-camp, and business-self-help. Short term, it helped me carve out time to devote to my game/app idea. Long-term, I’m left with clear steps for how to follow through and see my idea come to life. It also teaches a tried-and-true method that can be used for any new business idea.
I’d recommend the program to people who are ready to go from “I have an idea” to “I’d like to devote some time and energy into making this happen”.

MONICA LEE, Managing Partner Swoon New York
Cohort #15

Tacklebox helps founders zero in on their servicable obtainable market, their brand messaging, and their successful customer acquisition channels before it's too late and you're building the wrong product for the wrong customer. I’d recommend Tacklebox to any founder who feels stuck in the early development stage, who hasn't talked to a plethora of customers about their needs, and who has no clue on actually how to acquire customers.

TIFFANY KELLY, Founder at Curastory
Cohort #21

The best part of Tacklebox is discussing your company with other founders, alumnus, and investors. Being a founder is lonely, and therefore, having a support system of people who believe in you provides both short and long-term value. I left Tacklebox with a focused strategy and action plan.
Join Tacklebox as soon as you have an idea! It will help you save money and time in the long-run by taking the right steps early on.

FATIMA BOCOUM, Client Partner, Key Accounts at Statista
Cohort #16

I had hoped for years for a program like Tacklebox and didn't think it existed - I'm not sure anything else does! It answered 2 questions I'd been asking myself for a long time - 1) do I really want to be an entrepreneur someday, and 2) are my ideas viable -- without forcing me to quit my job and put everything at risk. It also offered me an incredible amount of rich content, real tools and exercises that I could put into practice both against my ideas but even within my current career. There is a lot of substance behind this curriculum, not to mention talented, ambitious classmates from whom you can also learn a lot. I could see TA being a critical turning point in so many people's careers.

MELISSA POULOS
Cohort #6

The high quality content and hands on guidance from Brian pushed us to get out of the building and validate our thesis directly with customers. Brian is the real deal, and his passion for startups is contagious.

MICHAEL THOMPSON

Tacklebox taught me how to start a business before starting a business. How to even begin to think about starting a business. A pre-product accelerator for someone thinking about starting a business to make sure it's worth their time/money/blood sweat and tears. I had no idea what to expect HOWEVER...It was worth every penny.

KELLY SCHMIDT, HR Generalist at Wework
Cohort #24

Tacklebox highly exceeded my expectations of the program. I’d describe it as a bootcamp for concept stage startups that enabled me to maintain commitment and progress to push through initial status.

BRIAN SHIMMERLICK, FOUNDER OF VENGO
COHORT #24 + INVESTOR MENTOR

We had a team that had not worked together and needed to get on the same page in terms of business concepts and testing strategy. Tacklebox gave a group of experienced entrepreneurs a common language to speak while we were vetting our idea and getting to know each other. This common language, combined with Brian and Tamara's guidance, helped us pivot a few different times and finish the program in a good place.

JOSH LEVINE, Founder/CEO at Admit Academy
COHORT #24

Tacklebox helped us see if customers cared about what were planning to build. This is a great program if you're thinking about becoming/want to become an entrepreneur, but you want to see if your idea is worth pursuing without (1) quitting your day job yet or (2) building/coding anything.

tom mcandrews, Partner at Geometric Wealth Advisors
cohort #23

The biggest thing is just how to start with just an idea. Tacklebox provided me a thought framework and an intense acceleration program with accountability; it's great for people who need direction on their idea that they want to take off ground. The program well exceeded expectations! You guys blew my mind away.

wenchang qian, founder of tardigray
cohort #23

Tacklebox held me accountable. I was having difficulty navigating processes required to launch my product. Early on, I focused heavily on product research, design, and development. The Customer elements and systems was missing. Tacklebox walks you through the necessary steps you need to validate your idea while helping you build the infrastructure you need for your idea.

latoya leslie, founder of candshout
cohort #24

The program far exceeded expectations. Tacklebox helped me begin the process of validating my product and building a concrete business plan. I had neither before. The perfect program to validate your idea and create a plan to take your idea to the next level.

shari chin, project engineer at fairfield residential
cohort #24

Focused my focus & allowed me to make great strides in understanding my customer & how to get in front of them. Tacklebox pushes you harder than you’re comfortable with, for all the right reasons. It focuses your concept, validates your thoughts, and flushes out your personal biases about your product.

DREW TORREY, CO-FOUNDER OF RAKE
COHORT #24

Tacklebox helped me 'get started' with and provide structure to the exploration process of my new business idea. It took the stress out of the beginning -- gave me a process to follow. Just had to believe in it and do the work, week after week.

FRANCE BRUNEL, PARTNER AT UPSTART INNOVATION
COHORT #25

The Tacklebox program was over and above all expectations. Understanding how to position a company to market and make sales, talk to funders and reach out to customers. The program provided a way to get your mind to understand the complexity of consumer choice.

Gautam Jagannath, Executive Director at SOCIAL JUSTICE COLLABORATIVE
COHORT #25

I didn't know what to expect when our team signed up for Tacklebox. Having finished the program, our group has built a solid footing for the next steps to launch our product. Tacklebox provides a foolproof method for vetting any of your ideas and the groundwork to build your product. Brian and Tamara breakdown their method simply and give you a step by step approach which you can repeat again and again. They hold you accountable to the work throughout the program to ensure that you get the most out of the experience. They give you all the personal coaching and guidance you could ask for, and their suggestions and insights are always spot on. Don't even think about starting a startup without going through Tacklebox first.

Emily Abraham, Legal Director AT Social Justice Collaborative
COHORT #25

Tacklebox gave us the tools to turn our idea into a business. The seven-week deep dive program helped us refine our vision, identify customers with a high degree of specificity, test messaging and acquisition channels, and practice pitching to potential investors. Coming out of Tacklebox, we have a concrete roadmap to navigate the ongoing business build. Brian and Tamara are whip smart, highly engaged, and a joy to work with. They work their teams hard, but make a thoroughly fun process!

Marina Mesion, Co-founder KORĒ
cOHORT #25

If you have an idea for a startup, don't know where or how to begin, but want to pursue your idea and build a business, Tacklebox is a comprehensive program to transform your idea into a startup. They teach the core tenets of building a successful startup, avoiding common startup mistakes, how to find your customer, how to clearly communicate the problem you are trying to solve, all the way up to preparing you for investor pitches.

dianna mesion, Co-founder KORĒ
cohort #25

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