Do you dream of starting your own business? Have an idea? Not sure where to start?

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Waubonsee Can Help!

The New Venture Academy provides aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs with the support and resources necessary for their success.

See if you Qualify to Join our Upcoming Free Cohort to Jump Start Your Business

Feb. 24 - May 5, every Monday
6 - 9 p.m.

Aurora Downtown Campus

Apply for the Spring 2025 cohort today!

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Join the waitlist and as soon as applications formally open up you will be contacted for next steps.

Waubonsee is a proud affiliate of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which has been helping entrepreneurs since 1993.

Their FastTrac® curriculum is a flexible course with a proven framework to help support you and begin your journey on the road to success.

Is your business not yet launched and/or has less than $250,000 in sales? Then New Venture Academy is for you! Through our 10-session cohort, test the feasibility of your business concept, assess opportunities and identify those with the greatest potential, and fine-tune the processes of an early-stage business. You will walk away with a solid business plan that takes your concept from an idea – to reality.

About The Instructor

Steve Webber

Steve Webber

Steve Webber is an accomplished professional who has been designing, developing, and delivering leadership training for over 25 years.  Steve’s company, Management Training Resources, offers over 30 different training programs, personality assessments, employee surveys, and career path planning.

Steve is the published author of Ten Timeless Principles of Professional Success, published by Executive Excellence in 2002.  In the book, he identifies the top 10 mistakes people make to sabotage their careers and then provides readers with practical solutions on how to avoid them.  He has appeared on MSNBC, several talk radio stations, and has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, New York Times, and Financial Times of London newspapers.

Steve has worked with thousands of people in hundreds of companies all across the U.S.  Some of those companies include: Microsoft, NASA, U.S. Army, ExxonMobil, GE, WeatherTech, USG, and MetLife to name a few.  Steve has also held the position of Director of Leadership Training for an $8 billion medical supply company in Illinois. 

Steve has taught a variety of business classes as an Adjunct Faculty member for Waubonsee Community College and Aurora University where he also served on its advisory committee.  In addition, he has taught classes on management, organization behavior and communication for the College of DuPage, Moraine Valley Community College and Elgin Community College.

Steve has a B.S. degree from Ball State University in Natural Resources, a B.S. degree from Purdue University in Industrial Supervision as well as a M.S. degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in Management. 

Sound interesting, but already have an established business?

If you are already a business owner but need a ‘boost’ to jump-start your revenue, The Business Growth Academy might be the right fit for you! Offered in both English and Spanish.