Accelerate South Jersey Bootcamp Empowers Local Entrepreneurs with Training, Funding, and Community Support
On Oct. 26, the Fall 2024 cohort of Accelerate South Jersey (ASJ) concluded its six-week bootcamp, where aspiring entrepreneurs from Camden and Gloucester counties received training, resources, and mentorship from Rowan University’s School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in partnership with the McKenna Center for Human Development and Global Business at the University of Notre Dame.
Led by Michael Dominik, Associate Teaching Professor of Entrepreneurship in Rowan’s School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the bootcamp consisted of six Saturday sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Dominik oversees the program and provides guidance on any questions or challenges participants face.
The program helps entrepreneurs get their feet off the ground by providing them with seed funding, resources, and a network of individuals across diverse fields to get their business started. Made possible by a gift from the Truist Foundation, participants gain access to critical funding and resources they may not otherwise have. This year’s eight entrepreneurs brought a range of ambitions across various industries and scales.
The eight members of the cohort include:
- Antoine Chambers: Developing a life sciences investment fund.
- Faatima Bussey: Creating, establishing, and patenting an innovative tobacco preservation product.
- Yolanda Jamison: Aspiring to launch a personal transportation business.
- Steven Jamison: Building a family business focused on waste elimination with his sons.
- Tara Kelly: Planning to create an event facility in a developing area for community gatherings.
- Josephine Parr: Building a marketplace for community leaders, micro-entrepreneurs, and innovators.
- Rachel Maniaci and Claire Rocco: Developing a homecare service for elderly and disabled individuals in their community.
Not only did these entrepreneurs learn from mentors and resources provided by the program, but they also connected with one another and formed a network of mutual support for their entrepreneurial journeys.
“The visionary aspirations of these budding entrepreneurs are inspiring,” said Dominik. “My favorite part of working with them is seeing their smiles and enthusiasm. During our bootcamp, they learned from our Rowan team, and they learned and leaned on each other. They’ve formed their own bonds and support network that is wonderfully representative of the intended spirit of our program”.
Looking forward, the cohort will continue developing their businesses with the help of Rowan University students who volunteer as pro-bono consultants through Dominik’s Scaling New Ventures class. These students will assist with website, marketing, and business development needs as they turn their ideas and ambitions into real products and services that will impact the community.
Visit ent.rowan.edu to learn more about Entrepreneurship at Rowan.
Story by: Madison Miller
