Entrepreneurship

Admission Requirements

Students entering the Entrepreneurship Certificate program need a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or permission of the department chair. Students may not currently be on academic probation. An application to the program needs to be completed followed by an interview by the Entrepreneurship instructors. Completion of a small business planning class is highly recommended before entering the program.

This program is Self Employment Assistance Program (SEAP) approved.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Prepare and manage business and marketing plans
2. Develop and implement strategic plans
3. Manage technology and information resources
4. Make effective decisions & adapt to change
5. Manage business & financial operations
6. Manage human resources
7. Manage product & distribution systems
8. Network business in the community

This is a two-class non-academic citation for aspiring entrepreneurs who have experience in their business concept area or business experience who are looking for a quick, immersive dive into their business idea. Required classes: Professional Sales and Entrepreneurship/Business Plans.

In this program you will work closely with faculty and Spokane's entrepreneurial ecosystem to develop your concept. Outcomes include: understanding all aspects of what it takes to operate a business, performing market research, understanding business model canvas, performing feasibility analysis, pitching your business to potential investors, testing the viability of your business concept and writing your business plan.

The 8-week evening program provides an accelerated, non-credit curriculum specifically designed to help prepare entrepreneurs for launching their businesses as well as helping existing businesses grow and be sustainable. This program meets Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM.

The program is designed to help determine the viability of a business idea, establish start-up costs and cash flow projections, identify customers, and learn from local subject matter experts. It's a hands-on course designed to have individuals work through the critical elements of their idea or business throughout the 8-week program.

Got the plan and ready to start your business? The Launch Lab is an eleven-week program that supports your business concept with a collection of human, financial and physical resources. The Launch Lab is in the company-building business and getting yours to a minimum viable product is what we do.

Support for each business concept is different, but in general, we help with:

• Industry experts and mentors
• Prototyping
• Market research
• Websites and online stores
• Go to market strategy
• Review of intellectual property
• Investor pitch presentations
• Logo and branding strategy
• Connect to financing options

In conjunction with Greater Spokane Incorporated's Start Up Central, SCC offers entrepreneurial workshops throughout the year for those wanting to learn more about what it takes to start or grow a business.

CCS Foundation & Avista Center for Entrepreneurship Campaign

The Integrated Business and Entrepreneurship Program (IBE) at Spokane Community College is an innovative and interdisciplinary approach to education that significantly benefits students, faculty and the community. The campaign to endow and sustain this program ensures it will serve generations to come.

Well aware of the financial challenges an owner faces when launching a new business, Avista has established a $500,000 Micro-Enterprise Loan Fund to help SCC's aspiring entrepreneurs get started in the regional marketplace following graduation. As part of this investment in our community and economic vitality, Avista has challenged Community Colleges of Spokane to raise $250,000 to create a sustainable funding source for the entrepreneurial students at SCC. The money we raise through this campaign will provide scholarships for students, program support, add to the micro-enterprise loan fund for Spokane students, and endow the future of this crucial program.

Your generosity to this campaign makes it possible for you or your family to honor a relative or loved one, or to have your own or family name endure in perpetuity. All donors will be recognized on a prominently displayed plaque in the Avista Center for Entrepreneurship. Those who give $5,000 or more will be recognized on classroom/boardroom seating in the Integrated Business and Entrepreneurship Center.

Community Support

Community support for the Avista Center for Entrepreneurship was instrumental in bringing this program and center to life.

Founding Sponsors

• Avista
• STCU
• Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation
• Travis Pattern & Foundry
• Itron
• Red Lion Hotels Corporation
• Banner Bank
• Broadway Group
• Klaue Family Foundation
• Wells Fargo
• Bank of America
• Garco Construction
• Washington Trust Bank
• Wheatland Bank
• Telect
• The City of Liberty Lake
• Baker Construction & Development, Inc.
• Inland Construction Group
• Safeware Insurancy Agency, Inc.
• Boyd's Coffee