The Entrepreneurship Project (EP) is the nonprofit partner of R U Ready 4 BIZness. It will provide students with entrepreneurial coaches, access to grants and investors, resources to research and test their concepts and networking opportunities to build their businesses. To be eligible for the program, students must be past or present participants of R U Ready 4 BIZness. The EP will target at-risk, disadvantaged and special needs students who are not afforded the same opportunities as other students. Our goal for the EP is to create entrepreneurial leaders who will revolutionize the world, as did pioneers Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Kimora Lee, Walt Disney, Phil Knight, Russell Simmons, Larry Page, Sergey Brin and Ray Kroc. These individuals all started from the bottom and did not stop until they had fulfilled their dreams. Entrepreneurial coaches will work with each student one-on-one to guide them in reaching their destiny.The EP consists of two phases, Product Development and Venture Creation:
Phase (1): Product Development
Students will learn the concepts of product development by creating their own product or service. Students will participate in a ten-week product development course, where they will be taught hands-on how to execute their ideas. Students will conduct a marketing research study, a feasibility study and focus groups to test their concept before bringing it to the market. Entrepreneurial coaches will work with the students step-by-step to offer support and make sure they follow procedures.
Phase (2): Venture Creation
Students will experience being an entrepreneur, complete with all of the obstacles, hurdles, setbacks and errors involved.
Venture Creation is a six month program where students work on the development of their company. The program entails raising capital, developing a prototype, creating a website, conducting a feasibility study, meeting with a CPA, business attorney and insurance agent, writing a business plan, marketing the idea and finding investors. Students will work with a business mentor who will guide them through each step. These services will be offered free to students who are accepted into the program.
Innovation Center
Our program will feature six types of business incubator labs where students can test and develop their products and services. The incubators will be led by professionals in the field. Students will have access to resources and the latest technology in a state-of-the-art facility designed especially for youths. Our Innovation Center will be the birthplace of dreams.
Sponsors and Donors
The Entrepreneurship Project is in need of corporate and individual sponsors and donors to provide resources and funding to support youth entrepreneurship. Contact us to find out how you can be a part of this spectacular endeavor!
