Innovation DuPage accepting applications for 'Owner to CEO' program
Innovation DuPage is currently accepting applications for "Owner to CEO," a program that provides small business owners with strategies for growth.
Participants in the 12-week cohort, which begins Tuesday, Aug. 21, work together as they learn how to best move their businesses forward.
Course topics include social media, finance, strategic planning, venture leadership, emerging technology, growth markets and social entrepreneurship.
Participants also will create an Accelerate Strategic Action Plan that they can implement once the program is completed.
Travis Linderman, managing director of Innovation DuPage, said the accelerator program provides owners with key skills that will further strengthen the foundation of their businesses.
"The program creates a safe environment where business owners can take a look at their companies through a new lens and critically think through the steps they need to take to successfully grow their businesses," he said. "As they identify what their challenges are, they also build a support system with their fellow company owners as well as their teaching team and industry mentors."
Watch a video about the "Owner to CEO" accelerator cohort program.
Innovation DuPage connects small businesses with the necessary resources to thrive while providing new owners with the tools to succeed, thereby promoting business growth and job creation.
The College of DuPage initially developed Innovation DuPage with Choose DuPage, Rev3 and the Village of Glen Ellyn. Benedictine University, Elmhurst College, Northern Illinois University, Indiana Tech, Chamber 630 and others have joined the effort.
The first "Owner to CEO" cohort exceeded expectations, with 12 owners representing 10 businesses that reflected a broad range of services. Chris and Mary Ginder, owners of Gindo's Spice of Life, which sells a wide array of specialty hot sauces, were surprised by the community that formed among participants.
"We really got to think about our business, determined how to become even more efficient and then created processes and strategies," said Mary, who is also a College of DuPage graduate.
The program is free to participating companies for a limited time and consists of 24 sessions with out-of-class assignments. To be eligible, participants must be a small-business owner or co-owner and their businesses generally should be in operation for at least two years, generate revenues of at least $200,000 in the most recent fiscal year, and have a minimum of two employees.
The accelerator cohort program is based upon business development best practices and nearly four decades of work by the College of DuPage Center for Entrepreneurship.
Linderman said graduates from the first cohort are referring people to "Owner to CEO."
"We understand that small business owners are so involved with their work and doing everything themselves that they need additional help," he said. "We can provide education, support and a community that can continue to help owners long after they complete the accelerator cohort."
Learn more about the "Owner to CEO" accelerator cohort and apply online at innovationdupage.org. For more information, call (630) 942-3340.