The goal of SmartUp is to not only give you a broad understanding of business operation, but also to help you develop a professional business plan - one of the most important aspects of any business start-up, and a requirement for most lenders and venture capitalists.

“SmartUp is one of the many ways the Business Development Center seeks to provide small businesses with access to the tools and resources needed to start and expand successful enterprises,” states Jim Jednack, Vice President of Business Banking at M & T Bank, a corporate sponsor of SmartUp. “The program provides valuable insights from industry professionals. The interactive curriculum equips participants with comprehensive business planning information.”

“I needed a foundation of practical business knowledge in a short amount of time,” said  James Blessing, Director of Rensselaer’s ARC Riverside Enterprises, which is developing a small business venture. “SmartUp was the ideal solution. The program is an effective mixture of textbook learning and interactive class sessions. I don’t know of any other pathway to get exposure to so many aspects of business operations in such a condensed time frame and at a minimal cost.”

The Curriculum

Each session is led by experienced business professionals with expertise in the particular topic. During this eight-week course, you’ll learn about:

         

- Developing a Business Plan	- Marketing, Promotion and Selling
- Entrepreneurship	- Legal Issues
- Credit Analysis	- Bookkeeping and Accounting
- Managment and Operation	- Financing Your Business
- Market Anaylsis and Strategy	- Insurance
- Products and Services	- Professional Experiences

“SmartUp is the ideal training format for creating a feasible business model,” notes William Brigham, Director of the New York State Small Business Development Center, a SmartUp partner. “The program’s depth provides entrepreneurs with the fundamental pillars of small business, giving them the wherewithal to start or improve their business. SmartUp is a necessary launch point for all types of businesses, maximizing successes and minimizing failures.”

Class Schedule

The course is offered twice annually in the Spring and Fall. Classes are held from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., one night a week, for nine consecutive weeks. Classes will be held at the Hudson Valley Community College, further location information will be sent in acceptance packets.

Tuition

Tuition for the course is $250.00, which is non-refundable after the first class. Payment must be received in full prior to the start of classes. Tuition includes: instruction, text book, class binder, and refreshments.

How You Can Apply

Please submit the application form and a one page summary describing your business (or conceptual business idea) and the reasons why you would like to participate in the SmartUp course.

SmartUp Application

Please note, class size is limited. Acceptance into the course is at the sole discretion of the Applicant Review Panel. Any person(s) not accepted into the course for any particular time period must reapply for subsequent consideration by the Applicant Review Panel.

For more information regarding the course, please contact the Business Development Center at 518-274-7020.