• Do you have a passion to start your own business?

• Do you have a strong business idea, and experience in your chosen industry?

• Do you own a business, but think you could be more successful if you learned how to better manage it?

If you answered YES to any of these questions then the CBA will help you jumpstart your vision of business ownership.

Tuition for the Community Business Academy is valued at $3,000 per student. Thanks to our generous supporters and donors, tuition is waived for every student who is accepted into the program. All participants, however, must pay a small materials and registration fee. Based on household income, fees are calculated on a sliding scale ranging from $150 to $375. Additional financial aid is available for those who qualify.

Our curriculum is based on Adult Participatory Learning methodology, which means that we place an emphasis in hands-on, experiential learning and reinforcement of key concepts, through guided exercises, business simulations and group discussion. You’ll be immersed in a community of entrepreneurs where you’ll learn as much from your fellow students as you will learn from your instructor. You’ll also have a lot of fun testing your business ideas in a safe space with people who become invested in your success.

What will I learn?

The homework assigned in class is designed to help you gather the basic information required in a business plan. You work actively on planning for your own business by learning how to answer the most important questions:

• Who are my customers?

• What should I charge?

• What are my costs?

• How much money will I make?

• How can I beat my competition?

• How much money do I need to get started?

• Where can I get the money I need?

• How do I register my business?

Entrepreneurs who complete the program receive:

• A certificate of Graduation from the Community Business Academy

• An individualized Action Plan outlining “next steps” to help meet their business goals

• Discounted and exclusive enrollment in Business Acceleration Services

• Graduates join our alumni network of Rising Tide entrepreneurs

Qualified graduates are eligible to receive up to six college credits, valued at $3,000 towards a program of study at Saint Peter’s University School of Professional and Continuing Studies.