11824_JFKU_Catalog Front Cover.indd - John F. Kennedy University

Institute of Entrepreneurial LeadershipEntrepreneurshipadvanced Certificate in Entrepreneurshipe Advanced Certificate in Entrepreneurship is specifically createdfor entrepreneurs looking to grow their existing ventures, as well asfor new ventures that have demonstrated sufficient progress in theirearly stages. Admitted individuals will work on their businessconcepts from new perspectives and develop executable businessplans designed to promote business growth and obtain start-up andexpansion financing.e Certificate is underscored by key partnerships and resources,highlighted by JFK University’s Business Accelerator, making it themost comprehensive entrepreneurial certificate program in theregion. Individuals admitted to this advanced track must have aclearly viable venture idea or be an existing business owner so thatstudent-entrepreneurs can apply their coursework directly to theirown business pursuits.program ComponentsIndividuals enrolling in the Advanced Certificate inEntrepreneurship will receive:• 11 weeks of expert training in classroom and experiential settings• Scheduled, in-depth one-on-one advising and consulting servicesthroughout the program• Additional, 15-week, 50-hour supplemental program includes:• Mentoring from Keiretsu, JFK University faculty and/or otherpartners at the discretion of and as scheduled by the IEL Director• Allocated 6 months of Business Accelerator space withcorresponding measurable points and metrics• Access to Business Accelerator Resource Centeradvanced Certificate program Topics include:• Entrepreneurship and Business Plan Guidance• Marketing / Development of a Marketing Plan• Selecting and Organizing a Management Team• Financial Elements of Business Planning• Developing an Organization and People Plan• Investors and Capital• Lenders• Financial Elements of Business Planning• Developing a Blue Ocean Strategy for your BusinessBusiness acceleratore Advanced Certificate provides its student-entrepreneurs witha full-service Business Accelerator, located in Todos Santos Plazain downtown Concord. e Accelerator will provide space, sharedoffice services, access to basic administrative equipment, conferenceroom space, and expandable space to new and existing smallbusinesses in the County that meet basic screening requirementsfor suitability, growth and job creation.Mentorship and advisingOne of the most important components of the Advanced Certificateis mentorship and advising. Each emerging entrepreneur is matchedwith at least one strategically-chosen mentor. Mentors, whorepresent a variety of IEL partners, including Keiretsu Forum, SmallBusiness Development Corporation, JFK University MBA faculty,and others, work closely with the emerging entrepreneursthroughout the program sharing their expertise, insights,assessments and recommendations.Mentors will assist the emerging entrepreneurs in a variety of areasincluding, but not limited to:• Defining value propositions and offerings• Offering feedback on target markets, market sizing andcompetition• Providing insight into company formation and structuring• Assessing business models and strategies• Developing financial assumptions and models• Business analysis• Government contracting• Technology• Access to capital• Sharing presentation feedbackMentors and advisors expect to spend up to 50 hours with emergingentrepreneurs over the course of 15 weeks after the completion ofthe certificate program. Some of these hours may involve meetingin person, but a significant amount of mentorship can take placeremotely between the emerging entrepreneur and their mentor.program outcomesStudent-entrepreneur success will be measured by the completionof a business plan and the execution of a plan to finance the venture.Specific learning objectives of the certificate program include (1)development of a marketing plan, including a competitiveassessment and properly pricing the service or productstudent-entrepreneurs will endeavor to produce; (2) prepare abusiness and internal management plan and execute its goals; (3)develop a sales strategy for the venture; (4) establish a basis tofinance the venture; and (5) execute the financing step to start theventure.Mentorship outcomesPrincipal metrics to be measured at the end of the mentoring phasewill include: (1) successful class performance, (2) execution of keymilestones in the business plan, and (3) completion of Schedule A(Initial) funding.Venture Growth / accelerator outcomesWithin a year of completion of the mentoring phase of the programand for four years thereafter we will tabulate the following data: (a)Annual revenue of the business; (b) Amount of capital (equity)raised; (c) Amount of debt.Institute of EntrepreneurialLeadershipJOhn F. KEnnEDy UnIvERSITy Institute of Entrepreneurial Leadership 169