Syracuse University’s annual Entrepreneur’s Bootcamp, a training program led by the Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship in the Whitman School of Management, assists current and aspiring entrepreneurs in developing the skills necessary to take their idea or existing venture to the next level. Now in its 10th year, this year’s bootcamp begins Oct. 13 and runs for six consecutive Saturdays, concluding with a graduation ceremony on Nov. 17. The program is designed for new business owners or those with a dream or idea.
“Having the support of the Bootcamp has given me the skills to follow my dreams and helped to bring my business from DBA to incorporation, and ultimately a not-for-profit 501(c)3 status,” says 2011 participant Lisa Paul, founder of Cope with Stroke, Inc. “I have learned so much—the knowledge, support and friendship has carried over to my business and has taken my motivation to a higher level: to dream, believe, pursue.”
Bootcamp classes are taught by a team of award-winning SU professors and feature guest entrepreneurs sharing stories of challenges and triumphs along their entrepreneurial journey. Throughout the program, Whitman MBA students provide one-on-one mentoring and coaching.
Topics covered include business plans/planning, marketing on a shoestring budget, financing a business, operations, accounting, human resources and legal issues. Since the program’s inception, more than 450 local entrepreneurs have been trained through the program, many of whom are operating successful businesses today.
“The program is also a valuable tool for aspiring individuals within a company who wish to grow their career by injecting an entrepreneur’s spirit within their company structure, becoming an intrapreneur that can make a difference in their organization’s success,” says Terry Brown, executive director of the Falcone Center. “Bootcamp helps entrepreneurs grow their companies, adding value to CNY by creating new jobs, fostering innovation, inspiring others to pursue entrepreneurship and contributing to the improvement of our local and national economy.”
The Syracuse Entrepreneur’s Bootcamp will be held at the Whitman School, located at 721 University Ave. Tuition for the six-week program is $650, with a limited number of $200 scholarships available to qualified applicants. Sessions take place from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Space is limited. For more information, contact Lindsay Wickham, Falcone Center events and communications manager, at 315-443-3550 or lwickham@syr.edu.
The Syracuse Entrepreneur’s Bootcamp is made possible by the support of the Whitman School and the Central New York Business Journal.
