Entrepreneurship requires more than a great idea - it requires practical skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to turn opportunity into action. In partnership with the SCSU School of Business and community partners, these entrepreneurship programs provide learners with the tools and knowledge needed to launch new ventures, strengthen existing businesses, and think creatively about solving real-world challenges.
Through applied learning and guidance from experienced instructors, participants build skills in business planning, innovation, marketing, and leadership while connecting with a network of professionals and entrepreneurs.
The City of New Haven ÿÈÕ´óÈüÈë¿Ú †.™s Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) is an entrepreneurial support organization (ESO) helping businesses acquire funding to start, grow, and scale. In partnership with the Urban League of ÿÈÕ´óÈüÈë¿Ú Connecticut, they offer DNA of an Entrepreneur, an entry-level business development program designed for individuals who want to explore, start, or formalize a small business. Over the course of the program, participants learn the fundamentals of launching a business, including identifying customers, understanding the market, building a financial model, and developing a practical business plan.
Through guided instruction, peer learning, and weekly assignments, participants complete a first draft of a traditional business plan using tools such as BPlan and other industry resources. By the end of the program, participants leave with a clearer business concept, a structured launch plan, and the knowledge needed to begin operating or strengthen an early-stage business.
Date: Mondays, April 27, 2026 ÿÈÕ´óÈüÈë¿Ú †.“ June 22, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m. ÿÈÕ´óÈüÈë¿Ú †.“ 8:30 p.m.
Location: SCSU School of Business
Register:
DNA Business Growth Accelerator, offered in partnership with SCSU and the New Haven Urban League, is a milestone-driven executive accelerator designed to move established businesses through clearly defined readiness states within the business development lifecycle. Instruction, advising, and validation are aligned to observable enterprise capabilities, not knowledge acquisition alone.
Participants complete structured deliverables demonstrating advancement toward capital-readiness, procurement-readiness, accreditation-readiness, and expansion-readiness.
This no-cost program is designed for revenue-generating business owners and may serve as a stackable credential pathway into future executive or academic programs.
Classes are held in person at SCSU - March 30 to June 26, 2026, Monday, 6 to 9 pm
Participants are chosen through a competitive application process for this free program.
DNA of an Entrepreneur Youth Edition introduces young people to entrepreneurship as a pathway for creativity, independence, and economic opportunity. Designed for youth ages 16 ÿÈÕ´óÈüÈë¿Ú †.“18, the program helps students explore how businesses start and how ideas can be turned into real ventures. Students learn the basics of identifying problems, developing solutions, understanding customers, and communicating their ideas. Through hands-on activities and team discussions, participants develop a simple business concept and present a short pitch at the end of the program. The goal of DNA Youth Edition is to spark curiosity about entrepreneurship, build confidence, and help young people see themselves as future innovators and business owners. This program is hosted at SCSU School of Business by providing participants with the college experience.
Date: Monday ÿÈÕ´óÈüÈë¿Ú †.“ Friday, July 6, 2026 ÿÈÕ´óÈüÈë¿Ú †.“ July 31, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. ÿÈÕ´óÈüÈë¿Ú †.“ 2:00 p.m.
Location: SCSU School of Business
Register:
The Better Local Capital Training is a no-cost, intensive 8-session curriculum designed to equip small-business owners with the financial literacy, operational systems, and strategic tools needed to access, manage, and leverage working capital financing for sustainable growth. Through hands-on instruction and peer learning, participants strengthen cash flow management, pricing and profit strategy, operational systems, technology adoption, and capital readiness - leaving with a clear, actionable plan to stabilize operations and position their business for long-term growth.
By the end of this program, participants will be able to:
✓&²Ô²ú²õ±è;Confidently manage and forecast cash flow
✓&²Ô²ú²õ±è;Establish repeatable operational systems with strong documentation
✓&²Ô²ú²õ±è;Understand true profit margins and implement strategic pricing
✓&²Ô²ú²õ±è;Strengthen compliance and invoicing practices for government contracts
✓&²Ô²ú²õ±è;Develop a forward-looking growth plan positioned for additional capital access
Classes are held online and include access to office hours/technical support services.
Learners need an access code, provided by Better Local Capital, to register.
For more information on obtaining your access code, contact: Malla Haridat, Chief Operating Officer at mharidat@betterlocalcapital.com
Our partners in Entrepreneurship Training
 |
 |
 |
 |