Waubonsee Community College is excited to announce two inaugural initiatives aimed to support entrepreneurs and business owners in the community. In the fall of 2024, Waubonsee will debut the New Venture Academy, an entrepreneurship cohort, along with the first-ever Spanish-language cohort of the established Business Growth Academy (BGA) for seasoned business owners. The Spanish-language cohort will be called Academia de Negocios.
Both workshops, which will run alongside the English-language BGA, were made possible through the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB)’s Noncredit Workforce Training Initiative Grant. New Venture Academy begins September 9, Business Growth Academy begins October 2, and Academia de Negocios begins October 3.
New Venture Academy, a 10-session program designed for individuals in the early stages of launching their small business, was created to fill an identified gap in resources that Waubonsee offers its business community.
"Whether you have only an idea or the start of a business plan, this program is for you,” said Suzanne Markin, Workforce Education Manager. “The goal is for entrepreneurs to walk away with a solid business plan they can use to take their concept from an idea to reality."
The New Venture Academy will help participants test the feasibility of their business concepts, assess opportunities, and fine-tune early-stage processes. By the end of the program, entrepreneurs will have developed a successful start-up strategy, business plan, pitch, and financial forecast.
Markin adds, "Our goal is to create a community environment within the cohort so that aspiring business owners can network, share their wins, and hold each other accountable."
Waubonsee will offer this program twice a year, and thanks to the ICCB grant, the training this fall will be at no cost. The college's affiliate status under the Kauffman Foundation allows the use of their award-winning curriculum, providing top-tier resources for participants.
For established business owners looking to take their operations to the next level, the BGA offers a 7-session program based on the Kauffman Foundation’s FastTrac© curriculum. This year, Waubonsee is proud to offer the BGA workshop entirely in Spanish for the first time.
"We are filling a critical gap where many Spanish-speaking business owners have not signed up because of the language barrier,” said Noelia Ruiz, Manager of the Illinois SBDC at Waubonsee. “This cohort will help them build the foundations their businesses need, set goals, and grow."
Academia de Negocios is designed for business owners with at least two years in operation who are currently generating revenue and seeking growth opportunities. Participants will receive practical solutions that can be implemented immediately and have the chance to network with other Spanish-speaking business owners and experts.
"We plan to offer this cohort twice a year, in the spring and fall, to help Spanish-speaking business owners grow their businesses,” Ruiz said. “Many business owners feel intimidated taking classes in English, and this program will help them continue to update their business knowledge in a supportive environment."
This fall’s Academia de Negocios is also offered at no cost to participants, thanks to grant funding.
For more information about the New Venture Academy, Business Growth Academy, and Academia de Negocios, or to apply, please visit waubonsee.edu/new-venture-academy or waubonsee.edu/bga.
