Past: LaunchU Entrepreneurship Course & Competition

LaunchU is a six-week hands-on course that coaches aspiring entrepreneurs and startups through the business planning process to determine business feasibility, including the actual development of a professional, Small Business Administration-approved business plan, pitch and financial forecast.

LaunchU will meet in a computer lab (TBD) at Southeast Missouri State University every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. starting July 26 through Sept. 1. The course consists of instruction from a certified facilitator, small group activities, one-on-one business coaching including access to market research data from the SBTDC, local experts as guest speakers, the LaunchU Startup Handbook, and a three-month license for LivePlan.

The Isle Casino of Cape Girardeau’s sponsorship provides 20 scholarships to reduce the cost of the course for interested entrepreneurs to $99 — a $175 value. At the end of the course, class participants compete with their pitch and plan to win one startup assistance package valued at more than $5,400. The package includes a cash stipend of $500 from the Isle Casino of Cape Girardeau, as well as a marketing package by BOLD Marketing and legal services from the attorneys of Osburn, Hine, Yates & Murphy, LLC. There will also be a second prize of another $500 cash stipend from the Isle Casino of Cape Girardeau for the runner-up in the pitch competition.

Scholarships and class seats are limited, so advance registration is required. To enroll, visit www.innovationmic.org/training and fill out the Scholarship Application and pay online.