EMU Today

YPSILANTI –   Eastern Michigan University’s Center for Entrepreneurship is launching its second Executive Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Venture Challenge program to help aspiring entrepreneurs jumpstart their ideas. The second session is set to launch on October 1.

The entrepreneurship program is an eight-week hybrid program that offers business instruction, professional coaching, mentorship, networking and the chance for participants to pitch their startup ideas for an opportunity to earn $25,000 toward their startup business expenses.

“There were about 30 community leaders involved in the inaugural cohort of this program as instructors, coaches, mentors, and judges,” said Sanjib Chowdhury, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship. "We are proud to offer such a unique program to emerging entrepreneurs in our community.”

Sarah Beatty was the winner of the $25,000 inaugural venture challenge for her startup company Culturewell. She is using the funds to help pay for the expenses that can be overwhelming for emerging entrepreneurs. Beatty expressed her satisfaction with the program as it uniquely set her up for her business success. 

Another participant in the program’s inaugural session was Snehal Patel, founder of HeloGenika. "The training and experience in this program provided me with the knowledge and skills that I needed to move forward with my startup,” said Patel.

The Executive Certificate in Entrepreneurship program will include industry experts, professional coaches, mentors and startup investors. It was developed for aspiring Michigan entrepreneurs with growth-oriented and scalable business ideas and executives looking to expand their entrepreneurial mindset. The program will consist of eight modules with topics including:

• Customer-driven idea to MVP
• Discovery and acquisition of customers
• Forming a company and legal issues
• Financial planning
• Fundraising options and pitching for venture challenge

The program will include a venture challenge for a chance to receive $25,000 to go towards business expenses. A cohort with a maximum of 20 motivated emerging entrepreneurs will be selected.

Several scholarships are available. "We are very grateful for generous contributions from our donors," said Chowdhury. The application deadline for the initial program is August 15. For more information and to apply, visit the Executive Certificate in Entrepreneurship program website.

About the Center for Entrepreneurship

Established in 1986, EMU's Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) strives to enhance a culture of entrepreneurship in the EMU community by supporting a strong entrepreneurship curriculum and offering a variety of co-curricular programs. The CFE also encourages local entrepreneurship by engaging EMU students and faculty in innovation, business creation and growth in southeast Michigan.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 15,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, visit EMU Today.