Small Business/Entrepreneurship Program
Year-long Program for Aspiring Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs
GGU is offering guidance to new entrepreneurs and small business owners who are committed to launching, relaunching, or transitioning their present business or new venture through a 12-week long virtual, weekly program on Saturday’s 9am-12pm PT via Zoom, followed up with a nine-month long mentorship. This program is offered twice a year in the Spring and Fall.
The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Program is made possible by support from Chevron.
This program is FREE and open to the public, GGU students, and GGU alumni. See our application guidelines below.
About the Program
How do I start a new business or pivot my existing business?
This program of entrepreneurial information delivered by experienced business professionals is designed to teach beginning entrepreneurs and owners of existing small businesses how to build and/or restructure their business in today’s dynamic and ever-changing small business environment. The program offers an outstanding opportunity for participants to invest in themselves and their future success. Participants should have a solid plan for their prospective business. This course will provide resources, learning, and pathways towards understanding what you need to do, and the timeline needed to achieve your business goals.
A Foundation for Success
Our goal is for you to launch, relaunch, or transition your business by the end of the program (one year from start of program). In addition, through your cohort members, mentors, and alumni, you will have built a powerful network of support as you grow your business.
Participants accepted into the program are expected to complete the following:
- Start a business/practice within one year of starting the program.
- Attend all classes, workshops, and events.
- Support fellow alumni.
- Be a mentor in the future.
If you are not able to commit to the activities above, please delay your application until you are able to fully participate in the program.
Cohort Meetings
The program is offered in a blended-learning format, with weekly Zoom sessions and online learning exercises and resources. Each class will be heavily interactive with breakout sessions and subject matter experts speaking on each of the weekly topics and relate their personal experience.
Mentors
Based on commitment demonstrated and progress made during the first 12 weeks of the program, the student may qualify to be assigned a mentor. The goal is to assign a mentor with experience directly related to the business of each qualifying student.
How to Apply
Applicants may be interviewed and evaluated based on their desire and commitment to starting a business/practice over the next year, the amount of thought and planning they have already put in, and the resources they have available to them to implement their goal of establishing their small business/practice.
Please complete the following items:
- Fill out an application form, click HERE.
- Fill out this Lean Business Plan Canvas Template.
- Need some help filling it in? Click HERE for a helpful how-to guide.
- Email the Lean Business Plan and your Resume to smallbiz@ggu.edu
If you are selected for consideration in the program, there may be a follow-up phone interview to determine final acceptance into the program.
Please note: there is NO enrollment fee for the program due to a generous grant from Chevron.
Have a Small Business & Want to Share Your Experience?
As an experienced small business owner, your wisdom, drawn from your real-life lessons, can provide valuable insights to aspiring small businesses owners. To make the Small Business Program vibrant, we are seeking assistance from GGU alumni to be speakers, members of panel discussions, instructors or mentors.
Please email us at smallbiz@ggu.edu to let us know how your expertise might best be applied to the program.
Being a part of the Golden Gate University Entrepreneurship Program was an amazing learning experience that refined my business plan and brought great clarity to my overall business goals. Having access to experts in marketing, finance, and business was so valuable and helpful in navigating next steps for my business. I’m also so grateful to the facilitators and my fellow classmates who provided a safe space for generating ideas, providing feedback, and lots of encouragement.
As a small business startup, the entrepreneurship program at GGU was invaluable for me. I learned technical skills such as putting together a business plan and the importance of a snappy elevator pitch, but I also made meaningful connections which are still benefiting me today. Teachers like Robert Shoffner deeply care about the success of program participants. I was touched by how he was always willing and to take the extra time to talk out an idea, brainstorm a pitch, or just listen. I am thankful for his experience, his expertise and his generosity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, will be conducted on the Zoom platform. It is essential that you are present for all class sessions.
To participate, you must be able to arrive on time and stay for the full class meeting.
We are able to accept a maximum of 25 students.
Although we would like to be able to accommodate guests, we restrict attendance to only those who are part of the course due to limited capacity.
Once you are in the program you may be able to pivot from your original plan after consulting with instructors.
No, everyone must submit their own application for review.
To participate, you must be able to commit to all 12 class meetings.
