2025 Go-to-Market (GTM) Information

 

2025 Go-to-Market Program

Three Stages to Revenue Growth Success

The Go to Market (GTM) Program by Rocket Builders helps companies achieve high revenue growth by developing winning sales and marketing plans.

The Go-to-Market Program is a comprehensive five-month program for technology companies who need to refine their marketing strategy and then execute revenue generation activities to win customers and dominate their target market.

Established 20 years ago with 400 successful graduating companies, the Go-to-Market Program blends mentorship with applied learning to provide innovative technology companies with an outcome-based process to capitalize on market opportunity.

Companies that complete the program will have a detailed marketing plan that includes execution steps and metrics.

Program Structure

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The Go to Market Program includes the following components.

• SIX Interactive Webinars - 2 hours long (includes webinar recordings, planning templates and other supplemental resources)
• Coaching Sessions between each webinar to provide one-on-one support
• Specialty Mentors who interact with companies to provide more customized feedback
• Three Jury Presentations – Companies present their Go-to-Market plans at each stage to an expert panel

Program Dates: October 30th 2025 to February 21st 2026

Who Should attend?

Technology companies seeking to expand the distribution of products or enter new markets are ideally suited for this program.

This program is designed to involve the entire management team of a technology company - all executives who are responsible for revenue growth (CEO, Product Manager, VP Sales, VP Marketing, VP Business Development).

Companies selected to participate must have a product that is ready for the market and has some initial customer acceptance.

Most past participants have had revenue of between $500K and $5M.

Companies looking to raise ‘Seed’ or ‘Series A’ rounds will develop a comprehensive marketing plan to present to potential investors.
Time commitments for the program are a couple hours per week with preparation and up to 10 hours per month spent on seminars and coaching sessions.

Program Details 

Phase 1 - GTM Strategy

Phase 2 – GTM Marketing Plan



Phase 3 – GTM Sales Plan

Program Pricing

$ 800 for companies that currently work with NRC/IRAP, the program sponsor (this is a "per company price, as many as 4 people per company may attend sessions)

(NOTE: $2000 for non-sponsored companies)

Program Registration

Click here for the form to apply for the cohort.

2022 Go-to-Market Program - Improved Curriculum and New Low Price

The Go to Market (GTM) Program by Rocket Builders helps companies achieve high revenue growth by developing winning sales and marketing plans. 

The Go-to-Market Program is a comprehensive five-month program for technology companies who need to refine their marketing strategy and then execute revenue generation activities to win customers and dominate their target market. 

Established over 15 years ago with 180 successful graduating companies, the Go-to-Market Program blends mentorship with applied learning to provide innovative technology companies with an outcome-based process to capitalize on market opportunity.

Companies that complete the program will have a detailed marketing plan that includes execution steps and metrics.

Program Structure

The Go to Market Program includes the following components.

·         Preparation - companies need an up to date Business Model Canvas

·         Ten Interactive Webinars 2 hours long (includes webinar recordings, planning templates and other supplemental resources)

·         Coaching Sessions between each webinar to provide one-on-one support

·         Specialty Mentors who interact with companies to provide more customized feedback

·         Three Jury Presentations – Companies present their Go-to-Market plans to an expert panel

 

Program Dates:      Early October to Early February

Who Should attend?

·         Technology companies seeking to expand the distribution of products or enter new markets are ideally suited for this program.

·         This program is designed to involve the entire management team of a technology company - all executives who are responsible for revenue growth (CEO, Product Manager, VP Sales, VP Marketing, VP Business Development).

·         Companies selected to participate must have a product that is ready for the market and has some initial customer acceptance.

·         Past participants have had revenue of between $500K and $5M

·         Companies looking to raise ‘Seed’ or ‘Series A’ rounds will develop a comprehensive marketing plan to present to potential investors.

·         Time commitments for the program are a couple hours per week of preparation and up to 10 hours per month spent on seminars and workshops. 

Program Details

 

Phase 1 - GTM Strategy Plan

•          Market Research

•          Positioning

•          Whole Product

•          Pricing

•          Customer Validation

•          Channel Validation

•          Competitive Strategy

•          Market Targeting

•          Revenue Planning

 

Phase 2 – GTM Marketing Plan

•          Marketing and Communications

•          Buyer Profiling

•          Social Media and Content Marketing

•          Lead Generation

•          Marketing Support

•          Integrated Campaigns

•          Marketing Calendars

 Phase 3 – GTM Sales Plan

•          Sales Process

•          Customer Success

•          Account Management

•          Channel Development

•          Strategic Partnerships

•          Revenue Forecasting

Cost

$ 500 for companies that currently work with NRC/IRAP (program sponsor)

($2000 for non-sponsored companies)

PRE-REGISTER NOW

To reserve a spot, you must apply using this form:

https://forms.gle/E84mKfEXK3dhrb9U9

New Go-to-Market Program for Fall 2021

 

The Go to Market Program by Rocket Builders helps companies achieve high revenue growth by developing winning sales and marketing plans. The Go-to-Market Program is a comprehensive five-month program for technology companies who need to refine their marketing strategy and then execute revenue generation activities to win customers and dominate their target market. Established over 13 years ago with 150 successful graduating companies, the Go-to-Market Program blends mentorship with applied learning to provide innovative technology companies with an outcome-based process to capitalize on market opportunity.

Companies that complete the program will have a detailed marketing plan that includes execution steps and metrics.

Program Structure

The Go to Market Program includes the following components.

·         Preparation - companies need an up to date Business Model Canvas

·         Thirteen webinars 1.5 – 2.0 hours long (includes webinar library)

·         Follow-up sessions after each webinar to provide examples and customize material

·         Assigned mentors who interact with companies after each session to customize the program to the company

·         Mentoring from Rocket Builders

·         Final Presentation – Companies present their Marketing plan to an expert panel

 

Program Dates:      Mid October to early February

Who Should attend?

·         Technology companies seeking to expand the distribution of products or enter new markets are ideally suited for this program.

·         This program is designed to involve the entire management team of a technology company - all executives who are responsible for revenue growth (CEO, Product Manager, VP Sales, VP Marketing, VP Business Development).

·         Companies selected to participate must have a product that is ready for the market and has some initial customer acceptance.

·         Past participants have had revenue of between $500K and $5M

·         Companies looking to raise ‘Seed’ or ‘Series A’ rounds will develop a comprehensive marketing plan to present to potential investors.

·         Time commitments for the program are a couple hours per week of preparation and up to 10 hours per month spent on seminars and workshops. 

Program Details

 

Phase 1 - Strategic Market Plan

•          Market Research

•          Positioning

•          Whole Product

•          Pricing

•          Customer Validation

•          Channel Validation

•          Competitive Strategy

•          Market Targeting

•          Revenue Planning

 

Phase 2 – Market Execution Plan

•          Channel Development

•          Strategic Vendor Partnerships

•          Marketing and Communications

•          Social Media and Content Marketing

•          Sales Process

•          Lead Generation

•          Marketing Support

•          Account Management

 

Cost

$ 1,200 for companies that currently work with NRC/IRAP (program sponsor)

To reserve a spot, you must apply using this form:

https://forms.gle/cQYgKTz3NTGQiRCa7

Fall-Winter 2020-21 Go-to-Market Program Announced

This unique program offers an opportunity for growth stage companies (post-MVP with initial sales momentum) to capitalize on their market opportunities with the development of a comprehensive Go-to-Market strategy and execution plan.

This is our 15th year of offering a the Go-to-Market program. Some of B.C. and Alberta's most successful technology ventures have graduated from this program, raised venture capital and achieved exit.

This year the program is going VIRTUAL. This means video conferencing and digital tools to supplement a proven curriculum.

Partnered with Venture Labs with support from NRC, the program will run through two semesters:

• Nov - Dec for Semester 1 (Go-to-Market Strategy)

• Jan - March for Semester 2 (Go-to-Market Execution)

For companies that are interested in participating, there is a limited number of seats, so only 12 companies will be enrolled. To reserve a spot in the program, companies need to apply using the form found here.

An informational session is being offered on October 16th at Venture Labs.

A pre-program workshop helping companies utilize Market Research to transition from a Business Model Canvas to the foundation of Go-to-Market strategy is being offered October 31st at Venture Labs.

Click to View the Brochure

Fall-Winter 2019-20 Go-to-Market Program Announced

 

This unique program offers an opportunity for growth stage companies (post-MVP with initial sales momentum) to capitalize on their market opportunities with the development of a comprehensive Go-to-Market strategy and execution plan.

This is our 14th year of offering a the Go-to-Market program. Some of B.C. and Alberta's most successful technology ventures have graduated from this program, raised venture capital and achieved exit.

Partnered with Venture Labs with support from NRC, the program will run through two semesters:

• Nov - Dec for Semester 1 (Go-to-Market Strategy)

• Jan - March for Semester 2 (Go-to-Market Execution)

For companies that are interested in participating, there is a limited number of seats, so only 12 companies will be enrolled. To reserve a spot in the program, companies need to apply using the form found here.

An informational session is being offered on October 23rd at Venture Labs.

A pre-program workshop helping companies utilize Market Research to transition from a Business Model Canvas to the foundation of Go-to-Market strategy is being offered October 31st at Venture Labs.

Click to View the Brochure

Summer 2019 Go-to-Market Program Announced

This is our 2nd year of offering a summer session (we just completed the 13th winter session) for the Go-to-Market program.

Partnered with Launch Academy, the program will run through two semesters:

• May - June for Semester 1

• June - July for Semester 2 

• August Reading Break

• September Final Presentation

For companies that are interested in participating, there is a limited number of seats, so only 12 companies will be enrolled. To reserve a spot in the program, companies need to apply using the form found here.

Click to View the Brochure

Free Information Session on Go-to-Market Strategy and Execution

Free Information Session on Go-to-Market Strategy and Execution

We are pleased to announce a free workshop being hosted by Venture Labs on October 23rd 2018.

Where: Venture Labs
When: 11:30am until 12:30pm on October 23rd 2018
RSVP: Click here to register

This is a two part session:

1. An Overview of the Right Approach to Go-to-Market Strategy for Technology Companies - Tips and Best Practices Shared

2. Details on the Upcoming Go-to-Market Program (12th year of this highly successful program)

Announcing 2018-19 Go-to-Market Program - Registration Now Open

Rocket Builders is pleased to announce the Vancouver schedule for the Go-to-Market program. The program will run from November 2018 through to March 2019.

Download Brochure

For companies that are interested in participating, there is a limited number of seats, so only 12 companies will be enrolled. To reserve a spot in the program, companies need to apply using the form found here.

Thank you to the following partners:

• Thank you to NRC IRAP for its financial contribution to support the program.
• Thank you to Launch Academy, Vancouver Enterprise Forum, Venture Labs, Garibaldi Capital Advisors and the VANTEC Angel Technology Network for its efforts in marketing the program.

Free Workshop on Market Research Coming on June 5th

We are pleased to announce a free workshop being hosted by Launch Academy on June 5th 2018.

Where: Launch Academy (128 W Hastings St #300, Vancouver, BC V6B 1G8)
When: 1:30pm until 4pm on June 5th 2018
RSVP: https://www.picatic.com/event15274604295014

Doing Effective Market Research for the Lean Startup

Bootcamp Workshop for Using Market Research to Improve Your Potential - For Better Products, Better Revenue and Better Access to Capital

Knowing more about your target market, your target buyers and your competition can provide the key advantage your company needs to win customers, acquire partners and attract investors. 

This bootcamp is a one day session to help companies design, implement and capitalize on the benefits of market research using the latest tools, techniques and practical approaches that companies of any size can use. In particular, we will show how lean startup methods such as defining your MVP and filling out the Business Model Canvas will depend on effective implementation of market research processes.

Designed for both Startups and Growth Companies, senior executives, product managers, marketing managers, and salespeople can all benefit from the insights this bootcamp offers. Company advisors such as investors, board members and mentors will also benefit.

You Will Learn

• methods of market research

• selecting research methods to assist in mapping out your MVP and Business Model Canvas

• practical approaches to gaining insights into new market opportunities

• how product features, pricing, and market size can be determined

• how to track competitors in minutes a day

• getting answers to common investor questions

• to fill gaps in your investment pitch with key answers on your target market

You Will Leave With

• ideas on targeting the right opportunities

• checklists for rapidly starting market research 

• tips on improving your approach to MVP and Business Model Canvas 

• hints and tips on market selection and segmentation

• step-by-step process for implementing an in depth market research project

• tips on low cost data collection approaches

• ideas on improving your investment pitch deck with meaningful research

Announcing 2018 Summer Session for the Go-to-Market Program

After 12 years of offering this program each winter in Alberta and BC, we have added a summer session as well.

Partnered with Launch Academy, the program will run through two semesters:

• June-July for Semester 1 (June 19, July 3, July 24)
• August Reading Break
• September-October for Semester 2 (September 4, September 18, October 2)

For companies that are interested in participating, there is a limited number of seats, so only 12 companies will be enrolled. To reserve a spot in the program, companies need to apply using the form found here.

Registration Open for Go-to-Market Program 2017-2018

Rocket Builders is pleased to announce the Vancouver schedule for the Go-to-Market program. The program will run from November 2017 through to March 2018.

Download Brochure

For companies that are interested in participating, there is a limited number of seats, so only 12 companies will be enrolled. To reserve a spot in the program, companies need to apply using the form found here.

Thank you to the following partners:

• Thank you to NRC IRAP for its financial contribution to support the program.
• Thank you to Launch Academy, Vancouver Enterprise Forum, Venture Labs, Garibaldi Capital Advisors and the VANTEC Angel Technology Network for its efforts in marketing the program.

Announcing 2017-18 Go-to-Market Program

The Go to Market Program helps technology companies develop skills to maximize successful execution in market entry, product launch and revenue growth. The program uniquely combines a comprehensive go-to-market curriculum, applied learning, access to experts, and one-on-one mentoring. At the end of this program, each participating company will have completed a customized, comprehensive Go-to-Market Plan to drive company sales and revenue growth for the upcoming year.

The program is supported in part by the National Research Council, Canada`s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP).

Prime participants are ‘growth companies’ that have product in the marketplace and revenue. Those that would most benefit from the program have some of the following features:

• Already have customer(s) and/or users
• Well defined value proposition
• Real desire to expand

The program combines instruction, mentoring, peer review and expert review in an applied learning context.  It is designed for executives responsible for revenue growth, and they can attend as a ‘team’ including CEO, VP Sales, VP Marketing, VP Business Development. Companies that have participated in previous courses have enjoyed great success including; increase in sales, investment, hiring and partnerships.

The Market Readiness Program is offered to groups of companies concurrently to maximize the potential of peer discussions and peer review.  The Market Readiness Program runs for four months and starts at the beginning of November. The program is in two semesters with an initial focus on strategy followed by execution.

Strategic Marketing Plan (Nov & Dec)

• Market Research
• Positioning
• Whole Product & Pricing
• Customer Validation
• Competitive Strategy
• Market Targeting
• Revenue Planning

Marketing Execution Plan (Jan – Mar)

• Strategic Vendor Partnerships
• Marketing and Communications
• Social Media and Content Marketing
• Sales Process
• Lead Generation & Metrics
• Marketing Support
• Account Management

The program is designed for twelve (12) participating companies. This provides sufficient time for each company during discussion sessions.

Past Participants have ……………….

‘We've earned 120K in Revenue. We've raised 510K. Our head count is now 10. I would say Rocket Builders Go to Market Program was a turning point for our business. Things clicked and we developed a sales strategy that has helped us expand across N.A. faster than we could have possibly imagined.’

Obtained $500,000 in funding; Completed all of the launch features and are now automating merchant onboarding processes.

Raised a second round of capital of $ 6 M from a US Venture Capitalist, have expanded to over 100 employees (continues to hire) and recently moved to a new office.

“I am constantly telling people how participating in the program helped me figure out who I should be selling to and why. That I was chasing $30 and $40 clients and that I should be focused on $600 and $800 MRR clients.”

Interested companies should contact:

Dave Thomas, Partner Rocket Builders

dthomas@rocketbuilders.com

Rocket Builders and NRC/IRAP will host an information at SFU Venture Labs at 11:30am on October 24th.

The course fee is heavily subsidized by NRC/IRAP. The cost per company supported by NRC/IRAP is $ 2000. Multiple attendees may come from a participating company.