LaunchU Kauffman FastTrac® curriculum
For 40 years, the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council, a champion for women and minority businesses, has provided access to capital, certification for women-owned businesses, corporate contracting opportunities, and small business educational support. These supports create leveraged growth for small businesses.
In 2023, the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council’s Women’s Business Center became a Kauffman FastTrac® affiliate. Its newest initiative, Launch U, utilizes the FastTrac® curriculum, a world-renowned entrepreneurial education program, which provides early-stage entrepreneurs with a structured, innovative, and principle-driven approach to starting and growing their businesses.
Kauffman FastTrac® aims to lower the barriers to entrepreneurship by providing entrepreneurs with practical learning materials delivered online and via teaching partners. In doing so, FastTrac® will encourage and equip more people to start businesses, contributing to increased startup activity nationwide.
Program Overview and Description:
In this 10-week program, aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs will develop and refine a business concept, taking it through each step of the business planning process. Through readings, research, and discussion, participants will plan and analyze their entrepreneurial vision by creating a thoroughly researched and tested business plan.
The course is divided into five (5) modules that mirror the entrepreneurial journey.
- Ideate
- Position
- Commit
- Refine
- Launch
The business participation requirements are:
- Not yet started or less than 2 years
- Less than $200,000 in sales
The aspiring or early-stage entrepreneur wants to:
- Test the feasibility of the business concept
- Assess opportunities and identify those with the greatest potential
- Develop a successful start-up strategy
- Fine-tune the processes of an early-stage business
