DURHAM – NC IDEA is committed to spreading that “entrepreneurial mindset” so that North Carolinians can reach their full potential.
And it’s using education as a means to do it.
This month, the private foundation opened applications for the third cohort of its Ice House Entrepreneurship Facilitator Training.
Created in partnership with the Kauffman Foundation, the problem-based, three-day program will be held at Barton College in Wilson from August 6-8. The deadline to apply is July 1.
Its aim is twofold: to educate instructors on the fundamental aspects of an “entrepreneurial mindset,” and in turn empower them to inspire others on how to “develop creativity and critical thinking, effective problem solving, teamwork and other entrepreneurial skills.”
“Since December 2018, over 100 individuals from across the state have already participated in our first two Ice House Facilitator Training cohorts,” said Thom Ruhe, president and CEO of NC IDEA.
“Several of these partners have already begun offering the Ice House curriculum to their constituents, and we look forward to collaborating with additional education partners who want to join us in empowering people with an entrepreneurial mindset.”
Thom Ruhe (WRAL TechWire photo by Rick Smith)
According to NC IDEA’s release, the program can be offered in a variety of ways to students in public and private high schools, community colleges and universities, clients of community development financial institutions (CDFIs), and those served by our statewide network of ecosystem and economic development partner organizations.
The program does not require the instructor to be a subject matter expert in entrepreneurship, but rather a facilitator of the materials (print, online and video) to provide the expertise.
Summer series starts June 12
In addition to its facilitator program, the group is getting ready to launch its 9-week summer series program open to early stage and aspiring entrepreneurs on Wednesday, June 12.
The sessions will take place every Wednesday (except July 3) in the NC IDEA LABS space on the American Tobacco Campus.
Topics will vary across all aspects of starting and growing a business, and are designed to equip individuals with the tools and resources needed to build, launch and scale a successful business.
Among the lineup: Story Telling with Janice Smith, founder of Big Dog Little Bed Productions; Influencer Marketing with N.G. Gordon, blogger and creator of Dear Mishu Dad; and A/B Testing with Scott Sorensen, co-founder and partner of Compete.Agency.
Diverse mix of six startups from across state land $50,000 NC IDEA grants
