Have a small business idea? Ivy Tech has a program to help you
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — A new Ivy Tech program that will teach the skills necessary for starting and running small businesses will launch this fall.
The Evansville campus will be the fourth Ivy Tech site to host the Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, said Ronda Taylor, statewide dean of the school.
The school was named for South Bend, Indiana, businessman Larry Garatoni who gifted $2.5 million to the community college system. It will offer practical skills individuals can immediately put to use in areas such as marketing, finance, human resources and legal considerations, said Daniela Vidal, Ivy Tech Evansville chancellor.
The ultimate aim is to encourage small business startups and equip them to succeed.
"Indiana is not among the leaders, unfortunately, in new business development," Vidal said.
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In addition to announcing the program launch Tuesday, Ivy Tech also dedicated the Thomas A. Boeglin Entrepreneurship & Innovation Lab workspace at the Evansville campus.
It is named after Ivy Tech President Sue Ellspermann's father, a successful business owner in Ferdinand, Indiana.
"Often we think of entrepreneurship as the Microsofts and Googles but it is really every small business. That is what really makes our communities," Ellspermann said.
Half of all small businesses fail within the first five years, said Chase Coslett, who will be the program department chair.
"Our goal is to beat those odds," he said.
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The program will follow the Regional Innovation and Startup Education (R.I.S.E.) curriculum and offer each class cohort opportunities to not only learn business skills but to develop ideas.
Students will complete three courses totaling 15 credit hours and earn a certificate, technical certificate or associate degree of applied science, Taylor said. It is open to anybody in any other programs.
Each cohort will consist of 20 students. Already, 13 spots have been filled in the first cohort starting this fall. Students will also be able to apply for funding to develop their business ideas.
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Earl McNary, an Evansville student, said he is hoping to use what he learns to open a successful restaurant that will cater to both children and adults. It's something he sees a niche for in Evansville.
The program is already being taught at Ivy Tech's Indianapolis, Bloomington, South Bend and Fort Wayne campuses.
Mark Wilson covers education and environment at the Courier & Press. Contact him at mark.wilson@courierpress.com.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Ivy Tech Evansville programs aims to boost small business owners
