Introduction to Entrepreneurship Class Now Offered At BCCC

Bucks County Community College has a new offering for inspiring entrepreneurs.

An Introduction to Entrepreneurship will be now offered on Tuesday evenings for 15 weeks starting Aug. 30. Steve Boerner, president and founder of start-up Hatch House Ventures, will be the instructor.

The three-credit course focuses on understanding basic entrepreneurial concepts, gaining experience with useful tools, and developing entrepreneurial skills through hands-on learning, Tracy Timby, Dean of Business Studies, said in an announcement.

“This class is not just for business students, but anyone who has a great idea, concept or product,” said Timby. “Those in the science and technology fields are also encouraged to take this class to broaden their understanding of basic entrepreneurial concepts and how to make their ideas a reality in the marketplace.”

The class will meet in the new Entrepreneur Space, a meeting and conference room at the Lower Bucks Campus in Bristol. "Designed to stimulate collaboration and creativity, the space includes large bean-bag chairs, a wide-screen monitor, and colorful accent furniture," the college said in its announcement.

The college is also planning several public business seminars, which will culminate in an entrepreneurship contest called the Start Me Up Challenge in late April. It will be similar to the television show "Shark Tank."

“Venture capitalists from Bucks County will invest their own time, money and resources in their favorite concepts in the Start Me Up Challenge,” said Timby. “Local investors will be on hand to hear pitches and negotiate investment funds and mentoring, with up to $25,000 available to the winning concept.”

Applications for the Start Me Up Challenge, which is open to the public, will begin in January.

Registration for the new Introduction to Entrepreneurship course is now open. The college says the class is filling up quickly. The registration deadline is Aug. 22. To learn more, visit www.bucks.edu/fall.