Ivy Tech establishes School of Entrepreneurship & Innovation: New School equips students with key skills to start or grow their businesses

Ivy Tech Community College established a new School of Entrepreneurship & Innovation in fall 2021 aimed at assisting Indiana entrepreneurs. The School was launched in partnership with Regional Innovation and Startup Education (RISE) to offer an Entrepreneurship Certificate (CT) program that can be completed in as little as two semesters (16 credit hours).
 
“Even before the pandemic, small businesses were struggling to find success, often because owners had a passion and a skill for developing a great product or service, but they lacked the tools needed to effectively run the business,” said Dr. Ronda Taylor, Dean of the Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Ivy Tech. “Our program is set up to provide practical skills students can put into action immediately around topics such as marketing, financials, human resources, and legal considerations.”

According to the Small Business Administration, about half of all small businesses fail within the first five years. Common reasons include poor planning, management missteps, and inadequate funding. There are more than half a million small businesses in Indiana and they employ more than 1.2 million people.

Ivy Tech’s Entrepreneurship Certificate program provides courses and resources for coaching, mentorship, and an “Ivy Shark Tank” experience where students pitch their ideas to investors for funding. It is offered at campuses in Bloomington, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and South Bend, with plans to extend the certificate program in fall 2022 to Columbus, Lake County and Evansville campuses. Currently, 75 students are part of the first four cohorts that began in fall 2021, and at least 120 more are expected to enroll in a new set of cohorts this spring.
 
Ivy Tech Bloomington enrolled 19 students in its inaugural cohort and is currently accepting applications for Fall Semester 2022.
 
For students interesting in starting the Entrepreneurship Certificate program at Ivy Tech Bloomington, contact Dr. Sydney Mmadi, department chair, at smmadi1@ivytech.edu or 812-330-6312.
 
To learn more, visit www.ivytech.edu/study-entrepreneurship.