Start-Up: Syracuse Entrepreneur’s Bootcamp helps businesses take off

Start-Up: Syracuse Entrepreneur’s Bootcamp helps businesses take offAugust 21, 2006Amy Schmitzaemehrin@syr.edu

Dreamers and doers alike will have the opportunity to envision their entrepreneurial futures at the fourth annual “Start-Up: Syracuse’s Entrepreneur’s Bootcamp” Oct. 14-Nov. 18, hosted by the Michael J. Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship in the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. “Start-Up” is a series of intensive education sessions designed to help entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs develop the skills necessary to take their idea or existing venture to the next level.

The prestigious program runs for six Saturday mornings beginning Oct. 14. Led by a team of entrepreneurship faculty and successful entrepreneurs, “Start-Up” is built on key elements of SU’s nationally ranked entrepreneurship curriculum. Participants will be trained on how to write a business concept, create winning business plans and make smart decisions on the critical financial, legal and marketing tactics for victory in a competitive market.

“‘Start-Up’ is for anyone with a driving desire to learn more about entrepreneurship,” says Michael Morris, the Chris Witting Chair in Entrepreneurship in the Whitman School. “We consider the program a bootcamp because it is vigorous and intense, and includes only the most relevant, useful material for new entrepreneurs. There’s nothing easy about starting your own business, or maintaining it once it’s started. In fact, approximately 50 percent of new ventures fail. ‘Start-Up’ gives entrepreneurs the tools they need to succeed and survive.”

Past Bootcamp graduates have given the program rave reviews. Dave Daly, CEO of Daly Communications, says the Bootcamp program completely turned his business around. “In the eight months since the Bootcamp, my revenue has tripled and I’ve grown from one employee to five,” Daly says. “What really helped me the most were the handouts, with the wealth of perspectives and information they provided. I got ideas and tips from everyone associated with the course, and every guest entrepreneur who spoke was inspiring and increased my confidence.”

“Start-Up” will be held at the Whitman School building, located at the crossroads of the SU campus and the city of Syracuse. Tuition for the six-week program is $600, with a limited number of $200 scholarships available to qualified applicants. Sessions take place Oct. 14, 21 and 28 and Nov. 4, 11 and 18 from 8:30 a.m.?noon. Registration and scholarship deadlines are Sept. 22, and space is limited. To register, visit http://whitman.syr.edu/eee/bootcamp/ or contact Lindsay Wickham, events coordinator, at (315) 443-3550 or lwickham@syr.edu.

“Start-Up: Syracuse Entrepreneur’s Bootcamp” is made possible by the support of Bond Schoeneck & King PLLC, the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency and the Central New York Business Journal. Partners of the program include the Central New York Technology Development Organization and the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce.