General Admission
$125
The full core curriculum.
- All mainstage sessions
- 2 breakouts, 1 per round
- Startup School workbook
- Catered lunch
- Evening reception
November 5, 2026University of Denver
One Day Startup MBA
Learn it from
people who
built it.
One day of conversations on capital, operations, brand, fundraising, and exits. Learn from founders, operators, and investors, then choose 2 breakouts around what your business needs next.
In person · Lunch included · Tickets are transferable
HollowayCo-founder & CEO
BalaBootstrapped the fitness accessories company.
FoundryIn conversation with John Sebesta on capital and growing businesses.
Produced in partnership with
University of Denver Daniels College of Business
4 tracks · Choose 2 · 1 day
Included with every ticket
The full day.
Your next move.
All mainstage sessions. 1 breakout in each round. A Startup School workbook. Catered lunch. An evening reception to keep the conversations going.
Your seat in the room
Choose your ticket.
Every tier includes the core program.
Choose the access that fits your day.
Premium
$175
Go deeper over lunch.
- Everything in GA
- Financing the Grey Area Lunch & Learn
- Priority seating all day
- Event swag
VIP
$350
Bring your business questions.
- Everything in Premium
- The Founder Boardroom, presented by Eide Bailly
- VIP check-in from 8:45 AM
- Included parking
Tickets are transferable. Secure checkout through Humanitix, where you select your tier and quantity.
The curriculum
What’s the decision
on your desk?
Choose 1 breakout per round.
Start with what your business needs now.
Round 1 · Capital & ownership
Cash Poor,
Equity Rich
You need capital to grow. You also want to understand what it costs you.
Come to explore: funding options and the ownership tradeoffs behind them.
Questions we’ll tackle
- Which capital fits the business you are actually building?
- What are you giving up when you trade equity for funding?
- What can you consider when traditional financing doesn’t fit?
Round 1 · Operations & growth
Build
the Machine
You’re good at the business. Growth needs systems and people who can keep up.
Come to explore: hiring, operations, and sales beyond the founder.
Questions we’ll tackle
- What should you hire, outsource, or systemize first?
- How do sales grow beyond your own relationships?
- Where does AI change the headcount math?
Round 2 · Brand & community
Brand
Obsession
Give people a clearer reason to remember you, trust you, and choose you.
Come to explore: your brand story, social strategy, and community.
Questions we’ll tackle
- What makes your brand story specific enough to stick?
- How does content build trust that supports a buying decision?
- How do you build community beyond follower count?
Round 2 · Fundraising
Raise
Ready
Know what you’re asking investors for, why you need it, and what the terms mean.
Come to explore: investor readiness, your pitch story, and deal terms.
Questions we’ll tackle
- What needs to be true before you begin a raise?
- How do you explain the opportunity and use of funds?
- Which terms deserve attention beyond valuation?
Included with every ticket
The conversations
around the big decisions.
Opening fireside
When the usual funding playbook doesn’t fit.
Seth Levine and John Sebesta discuss capital and the growing businesses traditional funding overlooks.
Show Me the Exit
What does selling your company actually take?
Founders and M&A advisors discuss preparing for a deal, understanding its structure, and what comes after the sale.
Presented by Holland & Hart
Closing fireside
The founder story behind Bala.
Natalie Holloway joins Kristin Taylor to discuss bootstrapping a fitness accessories company, building a recognizable product, and the decisions behind its growth.
More access with Premium & VIP
Go deeper on
your next decision.
Premium & VIP · Lunch & Learn
Financing
the Grey Area
Explore capital, banking, and growth in regulated, emerging, and underserved categories, from cannabis and alternative medicine to women’s health.
VIP only · Morning working session
The Founder
Boardroom
Bring your business questions to small expert-led tables on fundraising and capital, go-to-market, and finance and tax.
Presented by Eide Bailly.
VIP check-in starts at 8:45 AM.
Finance & tax tables led by Eide Bailly experts.
Built for founders doing the work
Bring the question
you’re working through.
- You have a product or service in market and want to grow.
- You’re comparing capital options or preparing for a raise.
- Your business needs systems and a team beyond you.
- You want a stronger brand or a clearer view of what an exit takes.
Before you get your ticket
The details that matter.
When
Thursday, November 5, 2026
Program starts at 11 AM
The day ends at 6:30 PM
Where
Sturm Hall, University of Denver
2040 S Race St, Denver, CO 80210
Breakouts in Community Commons
Arrival
VIP check-in: 8:45 AM
Premium & GA check-in: 10 AM
Business casual
What’s included in General Admission?
All mainstage sessions, 2 breakout sessions with 1 choice per round, a Startup School workbook, catered lunch, and the evening reception.
What does Premium add?
Premium adds the Financing the Grey Area Lunch & Learn, priority seating all day, and event swag. Catered lunch is included in every tier; the Lunch & Learn is available with Premium and VIP.
What happens in the VIP Founder Boardroom?
The Founder Boardroom, presented by Eide Bailly, is a VIP-only morning session at small expert-led tables. VIP also includes everything in Premium and included parking. Check-in starts at 8:45 AM.
What is Financing the Grey Area?
A Lunch & Learn about capital, banking, and growth in regulated and emerging categories, including cannabis, psychedelics and ketamine, peptides and GLP-1, and women’s health. Access is included with Premium and VIP.
Can I transfer my ticket?
Tickets are transferable. Email team@startupschoolconference.com for help.
How do I get there?
VIP includes parking. The University of Denver RTD light rail station serves campus. Check the main website’s arrival information for campus parking details.
November 5, 2026 · University of Denver
One day.
Your next move.
Mainstage conversations, 2 breakouts, lunch, and reception.
Tickets from $125.