Penn State Great Valley will offer a new graduate certificate this spring for current and aspiring entrepreneurs to conceptualize and develop new business endeavors.

The 12-credit New Ventures and Entrepreneurship graduate certificate program will engage students in a creative process that will include opportunity recognition, idea generation and selection, the lean startup process, and business plan development.

Using a multidisciplinary approach, students will learn how to write all sections of a professional business plan, including the presentation of financial statements and market data. They will also have an opportunity to pitch their new ventures or products to potential investors.

“We’re very excited to offer this new certificate that will give students a unique combination of skills in business and creative problem-solving as they develop new ventures and products,” said Kathryn Jablokow, one of the faculty members leading the certificate.

This new certificate comes on the heels of a $50,000 seed grant from the Invent Penn State initiative to expand entrepreneurial endeavors at Penn State Great Valley.

The grant established the REV-UP Center for Entrepreneurship, a program operating in partnership with the Chester County Economic Development Council aimed to encourage students, faculty, and community members to generate solutions to address existing and emerging business and social needs.

Interested individuals should apply for Spring II admission by Tuesday, Feb. 28 in order to begin courses in March. Current Penn State Great Valley graduate students in all programs are also welcome to apply and enroll in this certificate.

Click here for more information on the New Ventures and Entrepreneurship graduate certificate.