About the program
The Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at Rider University offers a free, six-week entrepreneurship training program each summer. Designed to support veterans, their spouses, and dependents, this program helps participants develop the skills needed to start a new business or expand an existing one.
Held one night a week on our Lawrenceville, NJ campus, the program begins with students developing a business concept and assessing its feasibility through guided instruction and hands-on activities.
Personalized Learning Experience: To ensure high-quality learning and individual attention, class sizes are capped at 20 students. This allows for tailored feedback and support from instructors, particularly during the critical stages of business concept development and feasibility analysis. Volunteer business mentors are also available as well.
Exclusive Resources: Gain access to Rider University’s resources, comprehensive course materials and ongoing feedback throughout the program.
Interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree?
This program is also available for credit by completing additional coursework. Rider's Veterans and Military Affairs office will work with applicants to determine eligibility for veterans benefits.
How to apply
The 2026 summer program has finished. However, we are accepting applications for the 2027 summer program, which tentatively would run from mid-May to the end of June, 2027. Please note that this free program is contingent on receiving a grant from the sponsor, which will not be know until early 2027. You must be a veteran, veteran spouse or a dependent of a veteran and have a business concept to pursue to be eligible to participate. Please see the next paragraph for a preliminary program schedule.
Program schedule
The summer 2027 program will run in person on Rider's campus on Wednesday evenings from mid May to the end of June. All sessions will include some hands-on time to work on your idea. Online research work will also be completed each week.
A preliminary class schedule is as follows:
- Week 1: Welcome, Business Concept Development and Understanding your Industry
- Week 2: Industry Structure, Industry Trends, Business Research Skills using Databases
- Week 3: Understand Your Customers and Competition: Competitive Analysis, Demographics, Competitive Advantage
- Week 4: How to Gain Customers: Promotions, Pricing, Sales Assumptions and Sales Forecast
- Week 5: What Does It Cost To Fulfill Sales: Supplies, Personnel, Inventory, and All Costs
- Week 6: Can You Make $?: Financials, Cash Flow and Wrap-up
Our sponsor
This program is made possible through our alumni and supporters who share our vision of helping foster veterans' personal and professional growth through entrepreneurial training.
