The Baton Rouge Community Entrepreneurship and Adversity Initiative helps members of the Baton Rouge community, particularly those facing economic or other hardships, start and grow a business. This joint initiative of the Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute and the City of Baton Rouge consists of a six-week training program called the Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs open to all adult entrepreneurs—visionaries with ideas, early-stage ventures, and growing businesses. 

The Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs occurs on six consecutive Saturday mornings in the summer. The program offers intense, hands-on exposure to the fundamentals of launching and growing a successful venture taught by LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business faculty, subject matter experts, and successful local entrepreneurs.

Topics covered in the Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs address all facets of a successful venture. They range from developing a viable business concept and understanding target markets to designing a profit model, setting up operations properly, marketing your venture, and understanding fundamental financial analysis. The underlying focus is thinking and acting in entrepreneurial ways, including doing more with less and growing a business with minimal resources. The approach is interactive, and entrepreneurs are encouraged to bring business ideas and challenges into the class discussions.

Register for 2024 Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs

Cost: $375 

• Scholarships ($250) are available on a limited basis; when completing the registration form, please note your request for financial assistance.

Registration deadline: Friday, June 28 unless the program reaches capacity before that time

Payment deadline: Wednesday, July 3. A payment link will be sent after you complete the registration process.