Venture Development Workshops

Turn your ideas into action.

At Lilie, we believe entrepreneurship is a muscle—the more you flex it, the stronger it gets. Venture Development Workshops (VDWs) are your chance to practice, experiment, and grow as a founder (or future founder).

Each workshop is a hands-on session where you’ll dig into a specific part of the startup journey.

Attend one workshop to level up in a specific skill, or come to the full series to experience the whole arc of venture building. The best part? You don’t need an idea to join and every Rice student or alum can jump in.

Come flex your entrepreneurial muscle with us.

2026-2027 Event Schedule

PLEASE NOTE: Events are subject to change. Check our Lilie Events page to double check dates and times.

09/09/2026

VDW1: Know Your Crowd - Markets & Segmentation

Facilitator: Nick Tucker

Description: Find and understand your ideal customers through strategic market segmentation. Learn how to define your audience, locate your early adopters, and avoid costly missteps. This hands-on session combines frameworks and real-world practice to ensure every founder can identify, reach, and engage their first true fans.

09/23/2026

VDW 2: Real Talk - Customer Development & Finding Your First Fans

Facilitator: Kyle Judah

Description: Transform authentic customer feedback into powerful startup insights. Discover proven techniques for interviewing, observing, and engaging your early users—moving your product toward true market fit. Leave with the confidence to ask tough questions, make data-driven decisions, create a bias for action, and build what customers actually want!

10/07/2026

VDW 3: Zero-to-Hero - Vibe Coding & AI for Founders

Facilitator: Adam Wulf

Description: Start from scratch and turn ideas into working prototypes using vibe coding, no-code platforms, and AI guidance. Learn how to experiment, build, and scale digital solutions—without deep technical experience. Bring your concepts to life quickly in this hands-on session designed for founders ready to innovate fast.

11/04/2026

VDW 4: Fundamentals of Venture Finance

Description: Get a practical primer on venture finance—from startup basics to raising outside capital. This hands-on workshop guides founders through funding stages, cap tables, valuation, cash flow management, and investor pitching. Learn to speak the language of finance, avoid common money mistakes, and build a foundation for sustainable growth. Leave prepared to structure deals, understand dilution, and pursue investment with confidence—whether bootstrapping or seeking venture capital.

11/18/2026

VDW 5: Solutions to Storytelling - Marketing Yourself and Your Venture

Facilitator: Cherise Johnson

Description: Transform your venture’s solution into a compelling narrative that sells. Learn the building blocks of powerful storytelling, from identifying your unique hook to mapping customer journeys and shaping memorable brand moments. Leave ready to market yourself and your venture—no matter the audience.

01/20/2027

VDW 6: Networking with Purpose as a Founder

Facilitator: Diana Massaro

Description: Your network is one of your most valuable assets as a founder — but only if you know how to build and showcase it well. You will walk through how to craft a LinkedIn profile that authentically communicates your venture and expertise and learn practical networking strategies that build genuine professional relationships rather than feeling transactional. Whether you're pre-launch or scaling, you'll leave with concrete tools to grow your visibility and connections as a founder.

02/03/2027

VDW 7: Zero-to-Hero - Vibe Coding & AI for Founders

Facilitator: Adam Wulf

Description: Start from scratch and turn ideas into working prototypes using vibe coding, no-code platforms, and AI guidance. Learn how to experiment, build, and scale digital solutions—without deep technical experience. Bring your concepts to life quickly in this hands-on session designed for founders ready to innovate fast.

02/17/2027

VDW 8: Pitching Bootcamp

Facilitator: Kyle Judah

Description: Step into the spotlight and learn to deliver pitches that captivate, persuade, and win results. This bootcamp guides you through pitch structure, performance tips, and live feedback. Whether you’re presenting to investors or at competitions, leave with a polished pitch and the poise to stand out.

03/03/2027

VDW 9: Life’s a Pitch

Facilitator: Maddie Thorud

Description: Join us for an interactive pitch practice workshop designed for entrepreneurs. This workshop offers a unique opportunity for students to practice the art of the pitch by presenting a product they know better than anyone else: themselves! In this supportive environment, students will have a no-risk opportunity to learn the elements of a pitch and practice putting it all together.

03/24/2027

VDW 10: Legal Leg Up - Startup Structure, Incorporation & More

Facilitator: Ted Seago

Description: Establish your startup on solid legal ground. This session covers essential steps for structuring your business, incorporating, protecting IP, and avoiding common founder pitfalls. Learn what documents and contracts you need, why entity choice matters, and how to set yourself up for long-term growth and investment readiness.