Applications Open for Fall 2023 Innovation Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs in Hospitality
Apply here to join the Fall 2023 Innovation Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs in Hospitality.
Are you thinking of starting a business in food, beverage, events, or tourism but have no idea where or how to begin? Let UGA’s Innovation District help with our Innovation Bootcamp program! Thanks to our sponsor, Truist, this bootcamp is a free opportunity for community members to receive focused support and learn the basic skills for beginning entrepreneurs. Participants of Innovation Bootcamp will be immersed in engaging educational sessions and workshops, hear from successful business owners in hospitality, greatly expand their network in this space, and learn what it takes to build a sustainable hospitality business model.
The bootcamp will meet on Mondays starting September 18 and ending October 30. Most sessions will be held at the Delta Innovation Hub on UGA’s North Campus. Sessions will run for three hours with the time being determined based on what works best for most applicants.
Our curriculum topics include:
- Self-awareness and building a solid foundation
- Effective branding and marketing workshops
- Business basics workshops
- Managing people and creating a sustainable culture
- Finding your niche
- Effective pitching
- Funding sources
We are excited about the impact our Innovation Bootcamp is having for community members both on and off campus! See what some of the recent graduates of the program are saying about the experience:
- “The UGA Innovation Bootcamp was an invaluable experience. It challenged me and gave me a chance to explore my strengths and weaknesses as an entrepreneur in a safe environment. Every week, I was inspired by the amazing coaches, guest speakers, local restaurant owners who provided us with food, as well as my fellow Innovation Bootcamp entrepreneurs with their amazing businesses and ideas. I recommend the UGA Innovation Bootcamp to any entrepreneur seeking a deeper understanding of business and a challenge to see if you are on the right path to your entrepreneurial journey.” ~Wesley Chenoweth, Grizzly Rides
- “Unlike other bootcamps, accelerators, and innovation hubs, the Innovation Bootcamp at UGA has a double bottom line: business idea AND the entrepreneur. Growth is focused on both ends to develop the idea and the person. This way, they not only empower and scale innovative businesses, but they also grow good leaders who can transform communities and the world. We need more of that.” ~Nipuna Ambanpola, IVolunteer International Inc.
- “When you step outside your comfort zone, do it at the Innovation Bootcamp where it’s still safe but you feel like you can fly.” ~Jenny Rose, KnowN
- For additional information and testimonials, this link will take you to a 2-minute video about Innovation Bootcamp.
How to Apply: Over the course of seven sessions, the cohort will meet weekly to learn firsthand the basics of building a successful business from the bottom up and will also receive one-on-one support from experienced coaches, many of whom are successful entrepreneurs. This program is open to all UGA faculty, graduate students, and Athens-Clarke and surrounding county community members who want to explore the idea of opening a business in a food, beverage, events or tourism space. Individuals wanting to participate should complete an application by June 30. Please review the Innovation Bootcamp curriculum here prior to applying for this program. Applications to participate in the fall Innovation Bootcamp program can be accessed here.
