Students will have the opportunity to earn more than just a grade in Allan Hancock College’s New Venture Laboratory class, set for spring. One lucky student or group of students will also win a cash prize of $1,000.
“It’s nothing like any class you’ve ever taken,” the Small Business Entrepreneurship Center’s Anne Cremarosa said in a press release. “You’re graded, but the ultimate grade is the $1,000 prize lying on the table.”
Students will develop, research, and market a business idea with the assistance of their classmates and entrepreneurship mentors. At the end of the 16-week class, students will present their business ideas to a panel of judges to compete for the $1,000 grand prize.
“This class really demystifies the process of starting your own business,” said Ruben Sarino—whose business, Pacific Coast Honey, won the cash prize last semester—in the release. “If you have any hint of wanting to start your own business, or an idea for a product that you’d like to turn into a business, then this class can help.”
New Venture Laboratory students receive assistance with market research, advertising, and creating prototypes of their product, as well as applying for provisional patents.
“In some cases, students left with a much different business plan than they came in with,” Cremarosa said. “What was interesting to watch was the students interacting and getting feedback from each other and from potential customers, and really turning that into something positive.”
The class, which begins on Jan. 30, meets weekly on Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. There are no prerequisites.
For more registration information, call the college at 922-6966, Ext. 3248, or e-mail [email protected].
School Scene is compiled by Managing Editor Amy Asman. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
