8 Weeks of Live, Online Training Sessions: Tuesdays, 6 pm-9 pm ET

During this 8-week program, you?ll get to know yourself, your customer, and the next steps to move your business forward.  The weekly sessions will provide you with dedicated time to work on your business. You?ll gain a support system of peers and mentors. You?ll get access to a curated mix of subject matter experts, inspiring guest speakers, and regional resources that will help you achieve your business dreams. 

This program will meet online for 8 consecutive weeks, on Tuesdays from 6pm-9pm on Zoom.

• Application Deadline: December 13, 2022
• Program Start Date: January 10, 2023
• Program End Date:  February 28th, 2023
• Pitch Competition: March 2023 (date to be confirmed)

Who should apply?  This program is ideal for people who are new business owners, if you have started a business in the last 1-3 years. The program is also open to people who are just getting started or have not opened their business yet.  This program is designed to serve businesses in Southern Virginia ? see Eligibility for which localities are included. 

What are the benefits? Each week, you?ll meet with subject matter experts, experienced entrepreneurs, and business consultants who are passionate about helping you achieve your business dreams. You?ll be part of a group of business owners and future founders, who each bring their own expertise to the room. By investing these 8 weeks into yourself and your business, you?ll receive insights, relationships, and tools needed to turn business ideas into action. Plus, you?ll be eligible to enter our 2023 Business Pitch Competition.

What is the time commitment? Participants should expect to dedicate 6-10 hours per week to this program,  including participating in the live, online training sessions and interviewing potential customers.

What are customer interviews? Between sessions 2 and 8, you?ll be asked to conduct interviews with existing or potential customers. This might mean talking to strangers. Willingness to do customer interviews is a key part of this program.

Is help available outside of the live sessions? Yes, definitely! Business Bootcamp participants are strongly encouraged to meet one-on-one with the Longwood Small Business Development Center?s (SBDC) team of consultants. Many of the SBDC?s consultants are also facilitators in the CO.STARTERS Business Bootcamp program. The SBDC consulting services are available at no cost. Learn more at https://sbdc-longwood.com >

Will I be ready for the Spring 2023 Business Pitch Competition?  If you invest time and effort into your Business Bootcamp, you?ll be ready to pitch! As a participant in CO.STARTERS, you will receive mentorship support from our team of facilitators as you prepare for the Spring 2023 Business Pitch Competition, tentatively set for March 16, 2023. The competition will be open to the Fall 2021, Winter 2022, and Winter 2023 CO.STARTERS cohorts.

Participant Requirements

1) Participants should have the strong desire to start or grow a business in Southern Virginia. See Eligibility for details.

2) Participants will need access to high speed internet and a personal device (ex. computer or tablet) with the ability to share two-way audio and video. The ability to share video and view the speaker?s shared screen is critical to getting the most out of this program. If you do not have reliable, quality internet access, please do not let this stop you!  Contact your local library or email us at hello@sovarise.com >