Launch U is the newest initiative of the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council’s Women’s Business Center (WBC). Leveraging the renowned FastTrac® curriculum, Launch U offers early-stage entrepreneurs a structured, innovative, and principle-driven framework for starting and growing their businesses. The program is also designed for established businesses looking to revisit and refine their business models.
Providing high-quality entrepreneurship training in an economical way is essential. By becoming a Kauffman FastTrac® affiliate, the Women’s Business Center can offer the FastTrac® curriculum at no cost. This affiliation ensures that the comprehensive, practical learning materials—delivered through online platforms and teaching partners—remain accessible, empowering more individuals and businesses to overcome barriers to entrepreneurship and drive startup activity nationwide.
LaunchU Kauffman FastTrac® curriculum
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
