Current & aspiring entrepreneurs sought for “Launch Wake Forest”

Tuesday, January 11, 2022 - 9:20am

The Town of Wake Forest and a network of local partners invite current and aspiring entrepreneurs to apply for LaunchWakeForest. The initiative will offer up to 15 selected students a 13-week business course, business mentorship, planning and financial support, along with resources and connections to boost their current or potential business.

To qualify, students must meet the following requirements:

  • Live or work in the Wake Forest area;

  • Supply a product or service that can generate profit;

  • Demonstrate a need for financial and business resources;

  • Consent to interview by the selection committee;

  • Complete in-person business training once a week for 10 weeks;

  • Develop a business plan and budget;

  • Meet and communicate regularly with an assigned business mentor;

  • If applicable, repay micro-loan, in regular installments, within 12 months of receipt of the loan.

Apply online at https://launchwakeforest.com no later than Monday, Jan. 31. The selection process will include an online interview that will be scheduled during February. 

Selected students will be required to attend a 13-week (one session each week) small business course at a location in Downtown Wake Forest. The class is provided free of charge to all LaunchWakeForest participants and required to qualify for possible funding. Each class is three hours long, includes dinner, and scheduled on Tuesday evenings beginning in March.

Developed by the Wake Forest Rotary Club, the LaunchWakeForest curriculum provides a solid framework to support the entrepreneur as they start a business and begin a business journey success. The instructors help the students by teaching lessons learned as current or former Entrepreneurs.

After the training, students are paired with experienced businessmen and women who will act as mentors for another six months. Students will also have access to microloans and possible investments.

LaunchWakeForest is aimed at entrepreneurs who have a great idea but are unsure where or how to begin as well as those who are already in business and need to learn how to progress to the next level. At the end of the 13-week course, students will graduate with a business plan, marketing plan, and a path to make success a reality. To learn more, visit https://launchwakeforest.com.