Courtesy of Bowie State University
University Startups (USU) has partnered with the Bowie State University (BSU) Entrepreneurship Innovation Center to launch the Building Businesses @ BSU program.
After a competitive application process, 30 students at Bowie State University were selected to participate in the Accelerator Boot Camp to develop their business ideas and hone their entrepreneurial skills. By the end of the January program, 90% of students felt confident in their abilities to run a business.
“We are thrilled to announce the partnership between Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center and the University Startups to launch the Building Businesses @ BSU program,” said Johnetta Hardy, executive director of the Entrepreneurship Innovation Center. “This initiative is designed to empower young entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and support necessary to transform their ideas into successful businesses. We are proud to have witnessed the creation of over $3,800 of revenue and the acquisition of 190 new customers across the cohort. The Building Business @ BSU program is a testament to the power of collaboration and the potential of young entrepreneurs to drive innovation and economic growth here at BSU.”
Arianna Redmond, a sophomore nursing major, launched a business called Tony’s Kitchen and Bakery. Redmond’s father was an entrepreneur and shared his passion for cooking with her before he passed away in 2021. Redmond felt compelled to continue his legacy of entrepreneurship and their shared love of baking.
“As a growing entrepreneur, the Accelerator Boot Camp is teaching me the mindset, the steps needed, and the fundamentals of launching my own business,” Redmond says.
USU expert instructors taught the students a comprehensive curriculum using lean startup methodology, building prototypes, and interviewing customers for market research. As a result, over $3,800 of revenue was generated by these business ventures, bolstered by the acquisition of more than 190 new customers across the cohort.
The Boot Camp culminated in a Pitch Competition, where participants received feedback from experienced entrepreneurs on their presentation skills and overall business ideas. Raymond Green, coordinator for the Building Business @ BSU program, instilled his mantra for success in the students: “Move the needle one inch every day.”
Following the conclusion of the Boot Camp, the SCEOs (Student CEOs) will continue to receive one-on-one business coaching from the entrepreneurial ecosystem at USU.