The Big Launch

Capstone Facilitation Guide

Lesson 5 of 5

Duration: 90 Minutes

Lesson Goal

Students will synthesize four weeks of research, calculations, and strategic planning into a single, cohesive business viability pitch. They will demonstrate mastery by defending their financial assumptions to a panel of peers.

Key Skills

• Financial Synthesis
• Public Speaking
• Critical Defense
• Strategic Planning
• Risk Assessment
• Value Proposition

Materials Needed

One-Page Business Plan Template
Investor Feedback Scorecards
"Investment Checks" (Mock checks for the hook)

Instructional Flow

Hook

15 MINS

The Mock Investor Circle

Distribute three $500 "Investment Checks" to each student. Explain that they are now Venture Capitalists. Their goal is to "invest" in the business plans that show the highest likelihood of financial sustainability.

Rule: They cannot invest in their own business.

Synthesis

30 MINS

The One-Page Plan Finalization

Students compile data from their previous worksheets (Lessons 1-4) onto the One-Page Business Plan. They must ensure their numbers match across all sections (e.g., the EHR on the plan must match the calculation from Lesson 3).

PITCHES

45 MINS

The Viability Defense

Organize students into groups of 4. Each student gives a 3-minute pitch followed by 2 minutes of Q&A from their "investors." Peers fill out the Investor Feedback Scorecard for each presenter.

Facilitation: Shark Tank Style Q&A

Encourage peer investors to ask "tough" financial questions during the Q&A:

On Efficiency:

"Your non-billable hours are 50% of your time. How will you scale this without burning out?"

On Competition:

"If a competitor lowers their price by $5, does your break-even point still stay within reach?"

On Legalities:

"Have you factored in the cost of a business license or professional liability insurance?"

On Taxes:

"You calculated 30% for taxes. Is that enough to cover state and federal requirements in our area?"

Final Sequence Debrief

Close the sequence with these reflective prompts:

1

"What was the most surprising 'hidden' cost you discovered during this project?"

2

"How has your definition of 'success' in the gig economy changed since Lesson 1?"

3

"Even if you never start this business, how will these skills help you in a traditional W-2 job?"

Grading Tip

Focus the grade on Financial Consistency. Does the math from the Tax Bite worksheet match the final plan? Accuracy and realism are more important than how "cool" the business idea is.

The Big Launch

Big Launch Teacher Guide

Launch Plan Document

Launch Pitch Slides

Investor Scorecard Document