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Paul Profeta Community Entrepreneurship Program

NEW JERSEY INNOVATION INSTITUTE INC

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Funding Amount

Free (estimated value $1,000+)

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Paul Profeta Community Entrepreneurship Program

Overview: A free 9-session entrepreneurship workshop developed by Paul Profeta to meet the underserved needs of budding entrepreneurs in the Newark, NJ area.

Geographic Scope: Newark, NJ and surrounding areas

Eligibility:

  • Aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs

  • Residents of Newark and surrounding areas

  • Seats limited, available first-come, first-served

    • Program Details:

  • Cost: Free (estimated value $1,000+)

  • Duration: 27 hours of instruction

  • Format: 9 in-person sessions on Thursdays, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

  • Location: The Profeta Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, New Jersey Institute for Technology, 211 Warren Street, Newark, NJ 07103

    • Program Curriculum Includes:

  • Assessing the Viability of Your Business Idea

  • Choosing Your Legal Business Structure (Inc., LLC, etc.)

  • How to Manage Your Company

  • Marketing & Branding

  • Market Research & Competition

  • Researching Your Market

  • Building Brand Identification

  • Leveraging Social Media

  • Financial Analytical Tools & Break-Even Analysis

  • Developing a Pricing Strategy

  • Human Resources

    • Post-Program Support:

  • One-on-one mentoring available to all participants who complete the workshop

  • Access to small business coaching

  • Access to venture loan funds

  • Online group membership

    • Outcomes:

  • 45 participants completed the first program (2023)

  • 15 participants launched their own businesses

  • Program continues to mentor several graduates

  • Three new business owners were finalists in the annual NJIT New Business Model Competition

    • Contact: Karen Q. Pisciotta, Director of Community Entrepreneurship

  • Email: karen.pisciotta@njii.com

  • Phone: 201-704-0577

    • About the Instructor: Paul Profeta is a Harvard Business School graduate and member of multiple boards including NJIT Board of Overseers, Newark Beth Israel Hospital Board of Trustees, and Rutgers Business School Board of Advisors.

    How to Apply

    Application Process

    1. Registration: Entrepreneurs are invited to enroll in the FREE 9-session entrepreneurship workshop
    2. Register online through the program website
    3. Seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis

    Session Schedule: All sessions in-person on Thursdays from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

    Location: The Profeta Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, New Jersey Institute for Technology, 211 Warren Street, Newark, NJ 07103

    Contact for Questions:

  • Karen Q. Pisciotta, Director of Community Entrepreneurship

  • Email: karen.pisciotta@njii.com

  • Phone: 201-704-0577

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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    startupssmall-businessesworkforce-development

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