Entrepreneur Essentials (e2), with face-to-face and virtual components, is an intensive education program in which participants will learn the key frameworks and tools, and answer essential questions, to effectively launch or grow their businesses. This program can help entrepreneurs move from the idea stage to working on a prototype or selling a completed product or service.
The program is a collaboration involving Central Wyoming College and University of Wyoming's College of Business and Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. It’s based on the highly successful Start-Up Intensive (SUI), a 10-week program hosted in Jackson, which has trained more than 140 Wyoming entrepreneurs over the last six years.
In the last year, 35+ entrepreneurs participated in e2 from all corners of Wyoming, including Sundance, Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, Lander, and Jackson -- 93 percent of whom would recommend the course to a friend. The hybrid format of the course offers bookended on-site instruction the weekends of June 17 and August 5 in Riverton and Casper, with intervening virtual components. This format encourages participants to connect face to face at the beginning and the end of the course and allows for participation across Wyoming.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, entrepreneurs have the option to join 100 percent virtually.
This four-credit course is also part of the CWC Bachelor of Applied Science degree.
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| Dates | Class Mode | Course Content |
|---|---|---|
|
Week 1 June 17-19 |
In-person or Virtual |
Recognize & Identify Your Strengths, Vision & Values Business Models Communication – The Elevator Pitch Market Research & Customer Discovery |
| June 22 | Working Time for Participants | |
|
Week 2 June 29 |
Virtual |
Who is Your Competition? What is Your Competitive Advantage? |
|
Week 3 July 13 |
Virtual |
Startup Financials |
|
Week 4 July 20 |
Virtual |
Startup Legal Issues & Intellectual Property Story Telling, Story Boarding & Pitch Deck |
| July 27 | Working Time for Participants | |
|
Week 5 August 3 |
Virtual | Startup Teams & Leadership |
|
Week 6 August 5 - 7 |
In-person or Virtual |
Entrepreneur Guest Speaker Entrepreneur Pitch Practice Showcase (Sunday) - Entrepreneur Pitches - Next steps - Available Resources |
- Identification and Communication of Business Vision and Values
- Identification of Personal Values and Skillset
- Concept Brand Development
- Competitive Positioning
- Financial Pro Forma
- Decision Making
- Business Plan Development
- Leadership Skills
In order to successfully complete this course, the participant will:
- Analyze how leadership styles impact the business concept.
- Research customer needs to clarify target markets utilizing quantitative and qualitative data.
- Conduct a competitive analysis.
- Analyze the viability of a new venture or idea.
- Evaluate the competitive positioning of their product or service in the industry.
- Summarize various decision-making models and tools.
- Critique new venture financing options.
- Create a framework for a business plan.
In-State tuition and general fees of $624 for a 4 credit course will apply. WUE rates are available for eligible neighboring states.
As part of the Wyoming Innovation Partnership scholarships are available on a case-by-case basis which will reduce the price to $100 for the 6-week course. Selection will be based on the potential of your entrepreneurial company and need.
To register for Entrepreneur Essentials you need to be enrolled at CWC. If you are not a CWC Student, don't worry! CWC is an open-enrollment college - that means all students are accepted once their application has been submitted!
- Step one: Click the "apply now" button at the top or bottom of this page and fill out the online application and you will be on your way!
- Step two: Contact CWC to register for the class through our advisors:
Jason Harris 307-855-2270, jharris@cwc.edu.
For more general information regarding the course email:
Meet Your Course Instructors
Peter Scott
Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of WyomingPeter is the Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Wyoming, where his goal is to help students, faculty and Wyoming entrepreneurs start companies. He brings over 20 years of experience in industry and academia working with entrepreneurs and technology companies.
Mary King
Director Bootstrap CollaborativeMary's role at Central Wyoming College merges her decade's plus worth of experience with my passion for rural education and economic development.