Introducing the WT Enterprise Center Growth Academy!
The WTEC team has been working on a big project since fall of last year and we are excited to finally roll it out to the public! The entrepreneurship industry is one that is constantly evolving. Change, innovation and pivots are necessary for the long-term success of a business and the Enterprise Center is no different!
We constantly found ourselves saying the phrases, “meet them where they are” and “entrepreneurs don’t know what they don’t know” when referencing our incubation program. But what does meeting them where they are really look like? If they don’t know what they don’t know, how do you assess that and help them develop in the areas they don’t understand as well to be a better entrepreneur?
We realized there was a huge opportunity to really provide value to our entrepreneurs and develop a supportive community around them by walking the walk and not just talking the talk.
With that in mind, we transformed our incubation program into the Growth Academy. The academy is an 18-month cohort based program led by certified coaches and community mentors. The foundation of this program is focused on real-time assessments of the business, growth benchmarks, entrepreneur trainings, mentor engagement and cohort roundtables. Each entrepreneur’s journey is still tailored specifically to them and the needs they have. Now they have a clear understanding of the beginning, middle and end of the incubation process through the academy.
So what’s different? We now have an application and vetting process to participate in a Growth Academy cohort. We want serious entrepreneurs who are focused on development and the growth of their business. The timeframe is now defined into 18-months with quarterly reviews with their coach and quarterly cohort roundtables to discuss hot topics, tips and advice with the fellow cohort members. Each member has a monthly coaching session as well as a monthly mentor session with their lead mentor – an experienced entrepreneur from the community! They also receive access to 6 trainings on the biggest topics for entrepreneurs as well as 5 book reviews with their cohort. Not to mention cohort members will have access to another great program we will be launching soon! Upon completion of the academy, they will earn a certificate, graduate at our annual awards ceremony, and become part of an elite group of alumni!
This program was revamped and developed specifically with growth entrepreneurs in mind. The Growth Academy helps entrepreneurs learn what they don’t know and gain access to an experienced support system. Entrepreneurship can be a lonely and overwhelming journey, but with support from the Enterprise Center it doesn’t have to be!
Applications are open now through July 15th for the next Growth Academy cohort. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the journey!