The 2024 Entrepreneur Academy has concluded, and enrollment for the 2025 cohort will begin soon. Please join the waitlist below to receive a notification as soon as 2025 applications open.

Take a leap, launch your business with Entrepreneur Academy

Learn how to start a business in CT through the Chamber’s 8-week Entrepreneur Academy, designed to help emerging entrepreneurs turn their ideas into profitable ventures. Participants will receive expert training, mentorship, and access to local resources.

Building on the success of its 2022 pilot program, the academy offers a comprehensive curriculum crafted by a professor of entrepreneurship at Wesleyan University.

What you'll receive

Expert Training + Mentorship

Participants will dive into essential business topics during weekly in-depth classes over 8 consecutive weeks, culminating in a final demo day event where entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to present their business idea to the local business community.

Local Resources + Networking

Gain access to local resources, including basic legal and accounting guidance, to help propel their business forward. The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut aims to foster a supportive and knowledgeable business community in the region.

Upon Graduation

Graduates will receive a certificate  and a complimentary one-year Chamber membership (valued at over $315) to support their continued growth. The most promising ventures (voted on at the Final Demo Day Event) will be eligible for a small cash infusion.

“I needed this program, even being in business for six years. Sometimes you lose focus and need reminders... I would encourage anyone at any level of entrepreneurship to attend, you will learn something new and beneficial to creating a new business or growing your current business.”

Hope Lee, Lashes By Lee
2022 Participant

“The Entrepreneur Academy gave me all of the tools to feel more confident to begin and succeed in my business! In addition to the courses, the free one-year membership will allow me to expand my network and potentially receive new business, ultimately catapulting me forward in my venture.”

Angela Angulo, Socially AcceptID
2022 Participant

“This class gave me a lot of insight into more opportunities about starting a new business and how to grow it. I feel lucky to have been a part of the pilot class, not only was the information helpful and insightful but it was a great opportunity to meet others who are just starting out as well and to network with them.”

Sara Holiday
2022 Participant

Session Schedule

All classes are held Tuesday nights from September 10 to October 29 from 5:30 – 7:00pm at the Regional Innovation Center (92 Eugene O’Neill Drive, New London, CT) with a few exceptions noted below for Sessions 1 and 6, and the Final Demo Day.

Additional speakers and special guests are to be announced. Curriculum is subjected to change

1. Orientation + Market Research and Defining Your Initial Target Market

September 10 | 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 and Kevin Zhang, Regional Innovation Center Community Manager

Session 1: Marketing 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.

2. Creating A Minimum Viable Product

September 17 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm

Speaker: Tim Clorite, ConnexMarkets

Panel Discussion:

  • Len Wolman, Waterford Hotel Group
  • John Carlin, Carlin Construction
  • Stephanie-Shyann Kaimanaokaohana McKeon, Joshua’s Worldwide Transportation
     

Participant Q+A.

3. Legal Fundamentals and State Registration Requirements

September 24 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm

Speaker: TBA

Special Guest: Matt Bloom, Minuteman Press

Participant Q+A

4. Finance: Budgeting, Accounting, and Tax Implications

October 1 | 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

5. Marketing, Advertising, and Brand Development Execution

October 8 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm

Speaker: Maria Miranda, Miranda Creative

Special Guest: Ellie Greenberg, Wonderlosity

Participant Q+A

6. Access to Capital

October 15| 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Please note the time change for session 6

Speaker: Liberty Bank

Funding Organization Exhibitors:

  • CIC (Community Investment Corporation)
  • SECTER (Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region)
  • DECD (Connecticut Department of Economic Community Development)
  • US SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration)
  • EWIB (Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board)
  • CTSBDC (CT Small Business Development Center)
  • WBDC (Women’s Business Development Council)
  • CTDOL (CT Department of Labor)
  • City of New London
  • HEDCO (Hartford Economic Development Corporation)

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.

7. Pitching Your Idea

October 22 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm

Speaker: David Gellar, Quinn & Hary Marketing

Participants will have a chance to practice pitching their business idea and receive feedback in preparation for the next session, Final Demo Day.

8. Final Demo Day Event

October 29 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm

Location to be announced.

Participants will present their business plans which will be voted on by attendees and the top ventures will receive a cash prize.

Who should apply?

This program is ideal for big thinkers in the early stages of their venture, from the idea phase to approximately one year into their business journey. Prior entrepreneurial experience is not necessary, as the Chamber is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive learning community.

To be considered, applicant should include an initial business plan in the sign-up form.

Tuition

$500  FREE

Made possible by



Waterford Hotel Group,  Coppa Family (In Loving Memory of Robert Coppa), & Southeastern CT Enterprise Region (seCTer)

Interested in Entrepreneur Academy?

Sign up and be the first to know when our next class’s application opens.