From MAKER to Entrepreneur @ MIT

Hi there, 

My name is Dima ALBOT, I am Environment & Energy engineer and Digital Fabricator


About me:
          *Born in MOLDOVA
          *Professional Water Polo player
          *Environment & Energy BSc. @ Rhine Waal University , GERMANY
          *Currently working in JORDAN as Fab Academy  Instructor & Fab Lab GURU
          *Involved in EU projects that support Syrian Refugees
          *Founder of the Grow It Yourself | GIY  project
          *ALWAYS HUNGRY




Few days ago, I received one of the most overwhelming e-mails in my life.

I got admitted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology  (MIT) Innovation and Entrepreneurship Bootcamp 




The MIT Innovation & Entrepreneurship Bootcamp is a new program from MIT for global innovators, entrepreneurs, and change-makers.

Participants, including me, will come to Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL, 28 July - 3 August, for an intense, week-long program to learn how to build innovation-driven ventures that solve global challenges.

Throughout the program, Bootcampers will learn and practice a variety of new skills related to entrepreneurship and innovation, both from MIT faculty, MIT coaches, and guest speakers as well as through their experiences in project teams.

Each Bootcamper has the opportunity to be CEO, leading the team through its project work for a day. Active learning is an experience, and in one week, the Bootcamp provides participants many experiences most entrepreneurs and innovators face in the first 2-3 years of a new venture.

- Identify, define, and characterize problems
- Spot opportunities for innovation
- Evaluate and choose models of new ventures
- Establish foundation of product development
- Evaluate and choose market strategy
- Develop an in depth understanding of your customer

And much more from MIT's innovation frameworks, world-class experts and innovators...




It is a very selective program which has produced 381 Bootcamp graduates from more than 70 countries in its past five batches since 2014.

So far, more than a hundred new ventures valued over $36 million have been launched by MIT Bootcamp graduates since then. It saw five alumni getting selected for the Forbes 30 under 30, and six eventually admitted to the MIT.

The Bootcamp’s theme for 2018, “Future of Sustainability”, is quite relevant to my field of activity. 

Armed with a four-year combined technical and commercial experience in energy management and sustainable solutions, highly motivated, I strongly believe that I can translate ideas into more concrete & relevant solutions and initiatives with an entrepreneurial mindset acquired from this Bootcamp




Why is it IMPORTANT for ME?

I believe that knowledge is a strong and most valuable weapon to make a change.  I also believe that it should be AVAILABLE to everyone who is motivated to make an impact.

!!!>>> The most important driving force which motivates me to take this Innovation & Entrepreneurship course is to gain the knowledge necessary to push the social innovation, support the open source movement, and build a strong community of people who dream big and are ready to challenge themselves to CHANGE THE WORLD and MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE

After the bootcamp, I am planning to create an educational program based on the knowledge gained at MIT, and share the experience with local communities by organizing workshops/academies/events and teach students Entrepreneurship in the same way I do now, instructing Digital Fabrication & Rapid Prototyping 

Answer questions like: 
*Differentiate between Good and Bad business idea 
*Strategically choose the best Beachhead Market 
*Create detailed End User profile
*Create Value Proposition
*Dominate the niche and attack Bigger Markets 
*TIPS for FUNDRAISING 
and much more..

Raising funds for your personal education sounds selfish, I know that. But this is not always the case, and definitely not limited to just one person!

A good example and proof of my vision is the Grow It Yourself project that I have been working on for the last year.

The main goal of the GIY system is to solve the global issue related to food quality & water drainage (GIY system consumes 98% less water comparing to traditional irrigation systems) and change the stereotype that farming is only for low class people!

The idea is to raise awareness, and educate people how to grow their own food at home.

Because I wanted to spread the knowledge that I posses, I launched the project open source, with a very detailed step by step documentaion to make everyone able to replicate it, which proves my point that knowledge is NOT always selfish.





The Tuition Fee for the entire program is 6000$ (excluding cost of travel and accommodation) that must be paid before June 28

Transportation TO and FROM Brazil + accommodation for the entire duration of the Bootcamp, is estimated to cost around 3000$, making my total funding target 9000$

A 2000$ down payment must be paid before May 24, in order to secure the slot




Unfortunately, I am not able to push my way through without financial support. But I believe in the power of the community, and in people who know the importance of education

If you believe that ME & MY GOALS are worth investing in, I would truly appreciate your generosity and support!


Dumitru Albot

IBAN: DE86 3204 0024 0781 2993 00
BIC: COBADEFFXXX
VISA: 4329 2703 3051 8494


Rewards:

This is my first crowdfunding campaign, and I have this uncomfortable feeling of asking for money. To avoid that, I decided to make a plan of rewards for each backer:
          *+10$ - You will receive a great THANK YOU in 5 different languages! (it brings LUCK)
          *+50$ - You will get a personal THANK YOU video recorded by me
          *+200$ - You will receive a personalized handmade gift manufactured in FabLab
          *+1000$ - You will receive a structured summary from the bootcamp & organized notes with tips and tricks! 



Fundraising - The Entrepreneurship Challenge

"The MIT Innovation & Entrepreneurship Bootcamp journey does not start on the first day of the program but rather from the moment you begin your application."

I take this as a challenge at the start of my entrepreneurship journey! It will not be easy, but its a part of the learning process which I must experience.



"I want to have a story to tell"



Thank you very much! #FromMakerToEntrepreneur


Sincerely,

Dima ALBOT


My MAKER's Portfolio:  Fab Academy 2017
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albotdima/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FromMakerToEntrepreneur
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dymonxd/