Entrepreneur Academy 2025 applications are open!
Take the leap, launch your business with Entrepreneur Academy


Expert Training + Mentorship
Join 8 weeks of hands-on business classes led by experts. Wrap it up with Demo Day, where you’ll pitch your idea to local business leaders.

Local Resources + Networking
Get connected with legal, financial, and community resources, plus build relationships with other local entrepreneurs and professionals.

Perks Upon Graduation
Earn a certificate and top ventures from Demo Day may receive a cash prize to grow even faster.
About the Program
Originally designed by a Wesleyan University entrepreneurship professor, the Entrepreneur Academy is a fast-paced, 8-week journey for passionate, early-stage entrepreneurs ready to turn ambition into action.
Through expert-led classes, hands-on learning, and a built-in support network, entrepreneurs gain the tools, strategies, and support they need to navigate obstacles, refine their vision, and turn bold ideas into successful ventures.
From former Pfizer scientists and AI tech founders to family business owners, influencers, and even a Hollywood producer, the Academy has supported entrepreneurs from all backgrounds through the real-world challenges of launching and growing a business.
2025 Session Schedule
ChamberECT’s Regional Innovation Center: 92 Eugene O’Neill Drive, New London, CT.
Additional speakers and special guests are to be announced. Curriculum is subjected to change
September 9 | 4:30 – 7:00 pm
Please note the time change for session 1.
Orientation: 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Facilitated by Tony Sheridan, Chamber President and CEO; Kevin Zhang, Regional Innovation Center Community Manager
Session 1: Market Research and Defining Your Initial Target Market
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Speaker: Tom Gezo, TGezo Business Consulting
Special Guest : Margo Weitekamp, SCORE(Service Corps of Retired Executives)
Participant Q+A.
September 16 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Speaker: Ellie Greenberg, Wonderlosity
Special Guest: Hope Lee, Lashes by Lee
Participant Q+A.
September 23 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Speaker: Christopher Drake, Office of Secretary of the State
Special Guest: Thomas Kasper, Reid & Riege
Participant Q+A
Cohort networking time
September 30 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Speaker: Sherry Konweski, Women’s Business Development Council
Speaker: Lee Couture, Couture Financial
Special Guest: Amanda Ljubicic, Ace Overhead Doors
Participant Q+A
October 7 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Speaker: Maria Miranda, Miranda Creative
Special Guest: Atif Faruqui, TurboFlow AI Solutions
Participant Q+A
October 14| 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Please note the time change for session 6
Funding Organization Exhibitors:
- Community Investment Corporation (CIC)
- Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)
- Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region (SECTER)
- Connecticut Department of Economic Community Development (DECD)
- U.S. Small Business Administration (US SBA)
- Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC)
- Hartford Economic Development Corporation (HEDCO)
- Black Business Alliance (BBA)
- Latin Financial
- Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF)
More funding organizations to be announced.
Time will allow for individual discussions with attending funding organizations. Participants are required to collect a certain number of stamps from exhibitors to complete this session.
October 21 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Speaker: Felix Reyes, City of New London
Participants will have a chance to practice pitching their business idea and receive feedback in preparation for the next session, Final Demo Day.
October 28 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Presentation of business plans by participants, voting by attendees, and awarding of cash prizes courtesy of seCTer for the most promising ventures.
Prize allocations are as follows: 1st Place, $2,000; 2nd Place, $1,500; 3rd Place, $1,000.
Who should apply?
Eligibility:
- Must live or work in Connecticut
- Must be 21 or older
- Must be in the idea stage or within the first year of business
- Past participants are not eligible
- Make sure to include a brief business plan with your application.
Class Size: Limited to 45 participants.
Deadline: Monday, August 18, 8:00 am
Acceptance: A Selection Committee reviews all applications and selects participants based on the strength and completeness of application materials. Be sure to include a brief business plan in your application to be considered.
Selected applicants will be notified via email two weeks (approx. August 26, 2025) before the program start date (September 9, 2025). Selected applicants must confirm their enrollment promptly, or their spot will be offered to the next person on the waitlist.
Tip: To ensure you don’t miss important updates, add chamberect.com to your safe sender list and check your junk or spam folder just in case.
Tuition

Hear what our graduates have to say
Jason Hine
The Ditty Bag
Retail Store
Pawel Lotkowski
Euro Detailing
Professional Car Detailing
Hope Lee
Lashes By Lee
Beauty Salon and Academy
Miosotys Santiago
Exemplify to Edify
Inspirational Speaker