Across the Show Me State, a wave of entrepreneurial energy is growing. The Early-Stage Business Boot Camp, designed with aspiring entrepreneurs and new small business owners in mind, has successfully graduated nearly 130 entrepreneurs across the southern part of the state since December.
Now the program is coming to Stone County Sept. 19–Nov. 14.
“This program is so impactful to our participants as they navigate how to start and grow their business,” said Sandra Smart, business consultant and technology and commercialization specialist at the Missouri SBDC at MSU.
It’s the mission of the Southern Missouri Innovation Network (Innovate SOMO), Missouri State University’s efactory partnership with codefi, to open up pathways for greater earning potential and invigorate the statewide economy. These boot camps are one essential piece to making that happen.
Participants will:
● Join a peer network of small business owners.
● Learn from successful entrepreneurs and guest speakers.
● Discover resources that they’ll need to start and grow a business.
● Find best practices for business planning.
Building foundation
In the program, participants learn foundational knowledge and skills about starting and growing a business, including topics like:
● Market research and analysis
● Protecting your business and intellectual property
● Financial management and projections
● Marketing channels and reaching customer segments
● Building, compensating and managing your team
● Accessing capital
“What sets the program apart from others is that we don’t just talk about these things, we connect participants with local resources and encourage them to work through their business plans and financial projections during the sessions,” Smart said.
Thanks to grant funding through the Southern Missouri Innovation Network (Innovate SOMO), the Early-Stage Business Boot Camp is offered throughout the state – all at no costs to participants.
This program will be held on Thursday Nights at the Table Rock Chamber of Commerce in Branson West at 16407 State Hwy 13. You can sign up for this Early-Stage Business Boot Camp online by visiting efactory.missouristate.edu/bootcamp.
About Innovate SOMO
Innovate SOMO, developed by codefi and efactory, is a collaborative network of businesses and organizations who work together for greater impact. We connect workers to training, entrepreneurs to resources, and employers to talent—all to drive regional growth and prosperity. The Southern Missouri Innovation Network transforms communities in the southernmost 47 counties in Missouri by unlocking the full potential of entrepreneurship and innovation.
About efactory
Missouri State University’s efactory is the front door to the university for businesses and employers. As a business and economic development hub, efactory offers a network of programs designed to support both large and small businesses throughout southern Missouri as they start, scale and succeed. In addition, efactory provides talent development and training to boost skills and job opportunities for Missourians.
About codefi
Codefi is a nationally recognized tech-based development nonprofit organization that specializes in deploying an innovation ecosystem by building and attracting software-focused companies, educating and training tech talent and founders, and expanding the tech economy to improve the quality of lives, companies, and communities.
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