CONTACT: Zach Ellis, UpStart Program Manager
zellis@warf.org; (608) 890-2930
WARF UpStart program empowers minority and women entrepreneurs
Free course equips aspiring business owners with knowledge, tools to break barriers
MADISON, Wis. – Running on momentum, a popular young program is looking to transform a fresh batch of budding entrepreneurs into business-savvy success stories.
The Upstart Program for Women and Minority Entrepreneurship is a free 13-week course covering topics ranging from law and finance, to market research, accounting and business plan basics. The program is led by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) in collaboration with the UW-Madison Small Business Development Center.
UpStart is currently recruiting applicants for the fall session, which will begin in mid-September. Classes are held in the evening on the UW-Madison campus. The deadline to apply is July 31.
“Participants have gone on to place their products on the shelves of major vendors, start small businesses and turn a profit,” says Zach Ellis, a WARF licensing associate and UpStart program manager. “We have people coming from diverse backgrounds but sharing a common goal – turning their business vision into reality.”
UpStart is taught by campus instructors and other local business leaders. Up to 25 applicants will be admitted to the program. Located in central Madison, classes offer convenient parking and bus access.
For more information and to apply, visit warf.org/upstart.
About WARF
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) helps steward the cycle of research, discovery, commercialization and investment for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Founded in 1925 as an independent, nonprofit foundation, WARF manages more than 1,600 licensing agreements and an endowment of $2.6 billion as it funds university research, obtains patents for campus discoveries and licenses inventions to industry. For more information, visit warf.org.
