The Clapp Entrepreneurial Opportunity Initiative
Do you dream of owning your own business, or teaming up with others to start a new enterprise? The Clapp Entrepreneurial Opportunity Initiative (CEO) offers training and support to help make that dream a reality. Individuals and teams participating in the CEO Initiative will:
- Become proficient in advanced business principles and business model development during the Fall semester. This will be accomplished through a series of eight, once a week workshops and initial establishment of information contacts with your potential customers
- In the eight week Spring Semester program you will secure validation of your business model through extensive direct contact with your customers.
- At the end of this program you will have developed the beginnings of a validated business model and business plan. This model and plan may be presented to program judges as part of the program competition.
CEO Competition Awards
Winners of the CEO Initiative competition can receive up to $10,000. Should there be more than one winner, program judges will determine the allocation of winnings based on stage of development, completeness of business model and plan, completeness of the management team, and viability of the business model.
Space in the ACC Student Incubator can serve for business office operations and meetings. Also provided will be computer and internet access, as well as access to a copier, scanner, printer and fax. Consulting and technical assistance including coaching, mentoring, individual counseling, networking opportunities, workshops, and training events will also be available.
The valuable support of an incubator can significantly increase your sustainability and success. In fact, a study by the National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) reports that 87 percent of incubator startups are still in business after 10 years, compared to a survival rate of only 44 percent of non-participants after four years in business.
Selection for the CEO Initiative
CEO participants are selected through an application process. You may apply as a single entrepreneur or as a team. Applications are accepted throughout the year, but the CEO Initiative begins each fall.
Who is Eligible to Participate?
The CEO Initiative is open to anyone who has touched ACC in any curriculum, corporate training, continuing education, Small Business Center workshop, event, or confidential business counseling occurrence. Occurrences may be now or having happened in the past.
Apply for the CEO Initiative today.