Our Charlottesville Entrepreneur Workshop is available to entrepreneurs and small business owners in Charlottesville, Albemarle County and surrounding areas. Classes are held in person on Tuesdays, 6pm – 9pm. There will be an orientation a week prior to the first session and the last session will be followed by a graduation within a few weeks.
Get ready to take your business to the next level! This hands-on, in person course enables entrepreneurs to determine whether their business is viable, develop an initial plan for launching or growing their business and learn the fundamentals of how to act on that plan.
Looking for our Culpeper-Orange Workshop or our Southern Virginia Entrepreneur Workshop?!
What is the commitment?
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Attendance to All Sessions: Being present for all sixteen workshop classes is crucial to your success in this program. Each session builds upon the last, and your presence best positions you to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the material.
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Participation in Discussions: Consistent and thoughtful engagement and discourse enrich the learning experience. Ask questions, share insights, and collaborate with your fellow participants.
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Completion of Assignments on or Before Due Dates: Applied learning assignments mesh course contents with your business or idea. Completing them on time is essential for your progress and to maximize your learning.
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Full Attention & Dedication: Distractions can hinder your understanding of the material and limit the value you gain from this experience. Stay focused.
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Completion of a Financial Analysis Review: Prepare to evaluate your personal and business cash flow to better understand your financial health and plan for the future.
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Fully Paid Tuition: The total cost of the program is $750 per participant (or business if a partnership) and includes course materials. Need-based scholarships and payment plans are available.
Who can apply?
The workshop is open to anyone interested in starting or expanding a business (contingent on availability and admittance).
How should I prepare?
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Review our “What it takes to be a successful entrepreneur” Checklist to ensure you’ve considered the various facets of entrepreneurship.
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Consider attending a “Starting Your Business” Workshop (2 hrs) hosted by the Central Virginia SBDC.
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Assess your schedule and allot time for the workshop, research, and corresponding assignments.
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Alert family and friends of your potential upcoming commitment to solicit their support and understanding in advance.
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Have an active and accessible Google account using your name or business name—no alias.
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Have a laptop or tablet to access and use Google Workspace applications.
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Get ready for an adventure!
What are some of the topics covered?
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Market Validation; Identifying Your Customer
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Personal Finance; Break-Even Analysis; Cash Flow Projections; Recordkeeping
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Time Management; SMART Goals; Entrepreneurship Roadmap
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Brand Development; Prospecting; Creating your Marketing Plan
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Hiring Employees
What dates should I remember for the Spring 2025 semester?
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Application Period: November 1, 2024 – January 3, 2025
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Interest Meetings: December 2, 2024 – January 14, 2025
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Acceptance Notifications: January 21, 2025
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Orientation: February 4, 2025
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Sessions: February 11, 2025 – May 27, 2025
What can I expect?
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Sixteen, in-person, 3-hour weekly sessions composed of lectures, discussion, and applied learning activities that will include up to an additional 10-12 hours per week consulting with professionals and potential customers.
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Excellent networking opportunities with your entrepreneur peers and leaders of the business community.
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By graduation, you will have developed the components of a comprehensive business plan and have the opportunity to work towards building on your financial knowledge as you move forward with your business.
How much does it cost?
Tuition is $750 and includes course materials. There are need-based scholarships that can reduce the cost to as low as $125. Payment plans are also available.
How do I apply?
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Ready to apply? Complete this application.
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If you’re not quite ready to apply for the Workshop but want to learn more about our application process, please complete this form.
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For specific questions, please contact our Entrepreneurial Impact Manager, Juana Dent.
What CIC benefits am I eligible to receive after graduation?
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Financing: Graduates are eligible to apply for microloans.
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Financial Management Program (FMP): Get paired with a financial coach to organize records and create healthy financial habits.
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Mentoring: Become paired with an experienced business owner from the community or join a Small Business Circle (SBC) for ongoing advisory support.
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Networking: Continue to be a part of the CIC business network for events, showcases, pitch nights, workshops, and more.
Interested in volunteering with this class of entrepreneurs and small business owners?
Volunteers are a core component of our signature program. Workgroup Leaders and Discussion Leaders are industry experts and business professionals who want to give back and share their expertise. If this sounds like you or someone you know, click here to learn more or email Juana Dent.
What are some of the topics covered?
- Market Validation; Identifying Your Customer
- Personal Finance; Break-Even Analysis; Cash Flow Projections; Recordkeeping
- SMART Goals; Entrepreneurship Roadmap
- Brand Development; Prospecting; Creating your Marketing Plan
- Hiring Employees
How do I apply?
- Fall ‘24 Culpeper-Orange (COW) applications are closed. If you want to learn more about our application process, please complete this form.
- For specific questions, please contact our Workshop & FMP Coordinator, Christine Caldwell.
When does the next semester begin?
- Spring ‘25 Application Period: November 1, 2024 – January 3, 2025
- Spring ‘25 Interest Meetings: December 2, 2024 – January 14, 2025
- Spring ‘25 Admission Notifications: January 20, 2025
- Spring ‘25 Orientation: February 4, 2025
- Spring ‘25 Classes: February 11, 2025 – May 27, 2025
What happens after graduation?
- Financing: Graduates are eligible to apply for microloans.
- Financial Management Program (FMP): Get paired with a financial coach to organize records and create healthy financial habits.
- Mentoring: Become paired with an experienced business owner from the community or join a Small Business Circle (SBC) for ongoing advisory support.
- Networking: Continue to be a part of the CIC business network for events, showcases, pitch nights, workshops, and more.
