Four-Week Aggie Business Jumpstart Program to Begin March 16

Editor's note: This event has been canceled. However, as organizers monitor the covid-19 situation, it may be held later this semester or next semester. 

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (March 6, 2020) – A four-week Aggie Business Jumpstart Program meant to help North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University students start or grow their own business is scheduled to begin Monday, March 16.

Classes will be offered from 5 to 6 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays in Merrick Hall Room 128 with business strategist and consultant and N.C. A&T alumnus Michael McNair. Mondays will be instructional days and Thursdays will be coaching days.

Students will learn about forming a financial plan, identifying potential customers, branding and sales, bookkeeping and legal matters – everything necessary for operating a legitimate business venture.

“The ultimate result will be for them to create a stronger foundation for their business,” said Thaddeus McEwen, Ph.D., professor in the Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics Department of Management and founding director of the Center of Excellence in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

“The program, which has been offered for several years, is designed to be intensive, but not overwhelming,” said McEwen. “We want participants to be aware of the critical aspects they need to address in order to take their business to the next step.”

This year – and for the first time – participants will give their business presentations in a Shark Tank-style competition for first-, second- and third-place and audience choice prizes up to $1,500 when the program concludes Thursday, April 16.

“They will learn how to pitch their business and do it correctly before real potential investors,” McEwen said.

The last day also will feature a closing ceremony to which participants can bring family and friends, a guest speaker and the awarding of completion certificates.

For more information or to apply, contact McEwen at 336-285-4280 or mcewent@ncat.edu.