Chamber Of Commerce Of Eastern CT Accepting Applications For 2026 Entrepreneur Academy

NEW LONDON, CT — The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut is accepting applications for its 2026 Entrepreneur Academy, a free nine-week business development program for aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs.

The program is intended for people seeking to start a business or expand an existing one. Participants receive instruction from business professionals on topics including business planning and idea validation, business structures and legal fundamentals, finance and budgeting, branding and marketing, sales, access to capital, artificial intelligence tools for small businesses and pitch development.

Applications are due by Aug. 23.

According to the chamber, Entrepreneur Academy has received nearly 200 applications from aspiring entrepreneurs across Eastern Connecticut since the program began and has supported more than 100 entrepreneurs. The chamber said more than half of recent graduates have gone on to launch or operate their own businesses.

The program concludes with a Final Pitch Night, where participants present their business ventures to local business leaders. Participants compete for a share of a prize pool valued at more than $14,000, including cash awards and business development resources.

More information and applications are available at ChamberECT.com/Entrepreneur-Academy.

Questions can be directed to Kevin Zhang, the chamber's community manager, at kzhang@chamberect.com.