Build strong business foundations

Learn alongside peers in the cohort-style Entrepreneur Rising Academy bootcamp. Receive one-on-one coaching, access networks and business support resources, find accountability partners, and build strong foundations for your business to grow. Learn from the Dayton region’s experts in areas including market research, financial projections, business taxes, customer discovery, prototype development & marketing. Leave with a complete business model canvas, pitch deck, market research survey, and other foundational business documents.

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ERA Bootcamp Upcoming Dates

The 2024 Entrepreneur Rising Academy bootcamps will run March 10th through May 14th and October 8th through December 10th.

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October 8 - December 10

Fall/Winter Bootcamp

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Is Entrepreneur Rising Academy right for me?

  • Are you an aspiring entrepreneur with an idea for a business, but you aren’t sure where to start?
  • A small business owner who jumped in with both feet and is now wondering how to grow your business?
  • Operating a side hustle that you dream of making your 9-to-5, if only you could figure out how to generate enough revenue?
  • Dreaming up a side hustle to diversify your income?
  • Need to solidify your business foundation?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then ERA is for YOU.

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“ERA really allowed us to evaluate our business and take the steps necessary to grow and become profitable. It was good to see entrepreneurs at different stages learn and grow together.”


Latoya Jones

“It took me from being pulled and moved by the everyday challenges to navigating my business with a direction and a goal.”


Jess Kellar

“My experience in ERA was beyond positive! I learned a great deal about the finer points of business, grew my network of professionals, established my long term goals, and gained so much confidence in my ability.”


Brie Hope | Founder Baby Biscuit Studios LLC.

What to expect

Entrepreneur Rising Academy cohorts meet one evening each week for 3 hours. There’s also homework — expect to spend 2-4 hours per week completing homework. You get out of it what you put in.

The curriculum:

Participants will complete Kauffman FastTrac coursework from the nationally-renowned Kauffman Foundation, receive pitch coaching and hands-on mentoring, participate in weekly discussions with successful entrepreneurs and experts, & access Dayton’s entrepreneur and small business resources. All cohort participants go home with valuable deliverables including market research, a completed business plan, a high-quality pitch deck. And the culture of support carries beyond graduation.

Download a Sample Syllabus