myCSUSM
Resilient Entrepreneur Program
Empowering Community Members to Create and Grow Successful Businesses
We believe that entrepreneurship can be a viable pathway out of poverty. By leveraging campus and community resources, we can assist aspiring entrepreneurs from low-income communities as they navigate the entrepreneurial journey. These entrepreneurs face a unique set of obstacles beyond those confronted by all entrepreneurs. Our underlying philosophy is that anyone is capable of being an entrepreneur and that all start-ups matter. We view entrepreneurship as a learnable process, but also as a journey that involves a definable set of steps. Our approach centers on activity-based metrics and the belief that, for every step we can help aspiring entrepreneurs take, she or he will take two or three more on their own.
The Resilient Entrepreneur Program provides a unique approach and toolkit to help support these entrepreneurs as they build sustainable enterprises. This program is an initiative under the Urban Poverty and Business Initiative from Notre Dame, and is a collaboration among universities and non-profit organizations working together to help individuals in underserved communities start and grow successful businesses.
CLICK HERE to apply for the Spring 2025 cohort now!
2024/2025 Delegates - Cohort 1
Meet our delegates and learn about their businesses.
Program Overview
The Resilient Entrepreneur Program will be offered in the sprint semester at CSU San Marcos at the Innovation Hub. Please complete the interest form above for the Spring 2025 Session, Cohort 2. This can be up to a 10-month program starting with a six-week bootcamp in February.
Bootcamp Schedule
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- Week 1 - February 22, 2025
- Week 2 - March 1, 2025
- Week 3 - March 8, 2025
- Week 4 - March 15, 2025
- Week 5 - March 22, 2025
- Week 6 - March 29, 2025
- Class Hours: 8:30 AM - 2 PM
Program Outline
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Training Programs: Community members participate in a six-week boot-camp, that introduces the basic tools, concepts, and principles relevant to launching and growing a successful venture. The boot-camp is designed for people with little to no resources or background.
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Mentoring: Participants receive mentorship from successful entrepreneurs with related experiences in their field, or industry, or with experience resolving the types of issues facing the entrepreneur.
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One-on-One Consulting: Following the training, a consulting initiative pairs faculty, graduate students, and other community partners with the entrepreneurs to work one-on-one solving particular problems.
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Resource Connect: Entrepreneurs are connected to valuable resources in the community through community forums, an internet platform, and other communication vehicles.
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Microcredit: Local organizations and financial institutions create a micro-credit fund that provides low-interest and no-interest loans and grants to individuals as they attempt to launch ventures.
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Research and Tracking: The program will conduct research documenting the challenges facing entrepreneurs, tracking their progress, and identifying elements that are successful in helping them move forward.
Eligibility & Cost
We focus on supporting community members who have a dream of starting and growing a venture (and this includes those who have already started a venture but are struggling).
The price of the Resilient Entrepreneur Program is $500. However, scholarships of $400 are available for anyone with financial need. All applicants are considered for scholarship.
- Application deadline is January 31, 2025
- Have questions? Please email innovation@csusm.edu
- Click here to download the program flyer