Entrepreneurship Center Management

This course introduces participants to the foundational concepts of entrepreneurship ecosystems and the critical role ESOs and ecosystem builders play in helping those ecosystems thrive by being effective connectors, conveners, and champions for entrepreneurs in the community. Through practical frameworks, ecosystem mapping, and applied assignments, participants can gain clarity on mission, stakeholders, and value proposition while learning how to align programs, partnerships, and resources with the needs of entrepreneurs and the broader ecosystem. 

Participants will learn how to: 

• Explain the structure and function of entrepreneurship ecosystems

• Identify and map community stakeholders and resources

• Assess the positioning of an entrepreneurship center within its ecosystem

• Develop engagement strategies

Additional topics include: 

• Identifying and mapping local business resources and capital providers, including banks, CDFIs, angels, grants, and pitch programs

• Developing a local entrepreneur resource and capital map to support effective navigation 

• Analyzing gaps, overlaps, and opportunities within the local ecosystem 

• Synthesizing ecosystem and needs data to inform community-based entrepreneurship strategies

• Building trusted relationships with resource and capital partners

This course focuses on how ESOs can design, deliver, and sustain programs that effectively support entrepreneurs while also strengthening the financial and operational health of the organization itself. Building on an understanding of startup types and growth stages, this course explores how entrepreneurs progress from idea to company-building and how to tailor services, education, mentoring, and advisory offerings to meet their needs. Participants will examine practical frameworks that deliver real value to founders while reinforcing a sustainable business model for the ESO.

Participants will learn how to: 

• Differentiate entrepreneur types and growth stages

• Design programming that teaches diverse entrepreneurs and broader communities

• Guide entrepreneurs toward appropriate next steps for funding and growth 

• Design a portfolio of programs and services

• Apply customer discovery and risk-reduction frameworks 

• Evaluate program delivery and pricing models 

Additional topics include: 

• Conducting a community needs assessment to understand entrepreneur challenges and barriers

• Understanding which types of capital are appropriate at different stages of entrepreneur readiness 

• Identifying and engaging partners for co-hosted and co-owned programming

• Curating relevant speakers, content, and programming through partnerships

• Developing joint events that expand reach through shared audiences

• Creating a joint event plan with clearly defined partner roles and outcomes

• Reducing participating barriers related to time, language, culture, and trust

This course focuses on the financial and operational foundations required to build and sustain a successful ESO. The content helps participants understand how ESOs generate revenue, manage costs, structure pricing, and design business models that balance mission impact with long-term financial sustainability. Participants explore real-world revenue streams - from rent and membership to sponsorships, grants, and programs - alongside cost structures, staffing models, and operational considerations. Using practical frameworks, participants will gain the skills and tools needed to make informed decisions that strengthen organizational resilience, accountability, and effectiveness. 

Participants will learn how to: 

• Analyze ESO business models and revenue streams

• Develop pricing, packaging, and financial strategies

• Apply budgeting, forecasting, and cost-management practices

• Design effective operational and staffing structures

Additional topics include: 

• Recruiting, onboarding, and retaining volunteers with clear roles and expectations

• Developing operational structures that support volunteer-powered programs

• Securing local sponsors, community funders, and in-kind support 

• Building an annual operating plan that supports program continuity

April 7, 21, 28*

Entrepreneurship centers are most effective when they have clearly defined policies on who they serve and how they provide those services. This course examines several of these key policy areas, including:

• Board structure
• Recruitment
• Intake policies
• Graduation

The ECM program concludes with a look at how entrepreneurship centers can track and evaluate their impact. This session looks at the key metrics that define a program’s success, and considers how a manager can create and track a meaningful set of key performance indicators, or KPIs.