Marketing For First Time Founders
Workshop Description
Marketing for First-Time Founders is a hands-on session designed to demystify marketing for early-stage entrepreneurs. Led by Jenny Kay Pollock, a fractional CMO with deep experience growing startups, this workshop will help you cut through the overwhelm of “where to start” and give you a clear roadmap to get your first customers.
Through interactive discussions, practical worksheets, and real-world examples, you’ll leave with a personalized blueprint—including draft social posts, blog ideas, and action items—that you can put into practice immediately. Whether you’re just setting up your website, reaching out to your first 500 leads, or experimenting with referrals, this workshop meets you where you are and equips you to grow with confidence.
Key Takeaways
By the end of the session, participants will learn how to:
Understand why marketing matters for founders and how strong messaging can make or break your startup.
Define your target audience clearly (demographics, psychographics, behaviors, and geography) so you know exactly who you’re speaking to.
Build a marketing funnel that moves people from awareness → consideration → signup → loyalty → advocacy.
Differentiate features vs. benefits so you can communicate real value to customers.
Leverage AI tools to do more with less—saving time, money, and energy in your early marketing.
Create tangible outputs like a working marketing blueprint, draft social content, and blog ideas ready to publish.
Apply proven startup marketing strategies from grassroots tactics (like referrals and in-person outreach) to digital tools (like SEO and email campaigns).
Bio
Jenny Kay Pollock is a visionary leader shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI) through inclusion, innovation, and impact. As co-founder of Women x AI, she champions underrepresented voices by creating platforms, networks, and opportunities for diverse leaders. In 2024, she helped spotlight over 130 AI leaders and continues to drive systemic change as a board member of How Women Lead, Silicon Valley and as an active investor in women-founded startups. Her contributions have been recognized with honors such as AI Thought Leader at Signals’ AI Revenue Summit (2024) and Finalist for Women in AI’s DEI Champion of the Year (2025).
Beyond advocacy, Jenny brings decades of expertise as a Fractional Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for early-stage startups, specializing in founder-led branding and go-to-market strategies that accelerate growth. As a keynote speaker and facilitator, she inspires organizations to embrace AI’s transformative potential while keeping the human experience at the center. Whether guiding startups through hands-on workshops or speaking at global conferences, she empowers innovators to build impactful brands and a more inclusive tech future.
Host
Funding Breakthrough Lab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pre-accelerator that helps founders strategize, fundraise, and grow their startups. With a mission to build a better tomorrow, we’ve created a thriving community of over 15,000+ subscribers where education, networks, and resources come together to unlock founder potential.
We specialize in helping early-stage entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of fundraising—whether through grants, venture capital, or alternative funding paths—while championing diversity, inclusion, and authenticity.
Founded by Natalie Pan, an engineer, community builder, and executive coach, Funding Breakthrough Lab provides the tools and support you need to move from idea to investment.
Apply now for the next cohort and gain the credibility, connections, and confidence to secure funding for your startup: fundingbreakthroughlab.org