The Extension Defy Ventures Entrepreneurship Bootcamp is a 14-week program for people with criminal histories who want to explore entrepreneurship and develop their small business idea into formal business concept and pitch. The program is designed for adults (18 and over) who are stable in their reentry (employed and housed) and have been released for at least 6 months (from jail or prison). There is no cost for this program.
Overall, participants (called EITs: Entrepreneurs in Training) should expect to invest approximately 8 – 10 hours per week in the course, including class time, reading, written assignments, and the development of the business concept. There will be in-person coaching sessions with Extension/Defy staff and volunteers who are already successful in business and want to help you succeed.
The class is online via Zoom, starting March 24. It will meet on Wednesdays from 6-8pm and Saturdays from 3-5pm. Books will be mailed to EITs and everything else will be online via Google Classroom, which we will teach in the first sessions. Graduates who complete the course and participate in the business pitch competition on the last day will receive a free Google Chromebook.
Fill out this form to start the application process. We will be in touch with you soon!
