What is the Be Your Own Boss Boot Camp?

If you have a business idea or a side hustle you'd like to turn into a thriving business, then the Be Your Own Boss Boot Camp is calling your name!  Join this dynamic 7-week boot camp to gain invaluable skills you’ll need for success - from discovering your target audience to learning how to price your product. Join us on this transformative journey and become the boss you’ve always dreamt of!

A maximum of 15 students will be selected to join the bootcamp, where they will have the chance to refine their business concepts, network with fellow aspiring business owners, and share feedback. The goal of the bootcamp is to help aspiring business owners develop their ideas in a supportive environment. 

Who Should Apply?

• UTRGV Students: If you're a student with dreams of launching your own business or are simply intrigued by the world of entrepreneurship
• Any UTRGV student with a business idea or side hustle (all classifications and majors welcome!)

What to Expect:

• Networking: Connect with other students who share your interests and engage with emerging RGV entrepreneurs, cultivating relationships that can be pivotal in your entrepreneurial journey.
• Peer to Peer Support: Participants of the Be Your Own Boss Boot Camp convene weekly for seven sessions. Throughout each session, they engage in hands-on modules aimed at refining their business concepts. Upon completing the program, participants will have crafted a pitch deck for their business ideas and developed a roadmap to launch their ventures.
• UTRGV Swag Giveaway: Participate in our exclusive giveaways and score some awesome UTRGV swag!
• Treats: Enjoy delicious snacks and beverages provided throughout the sessions.

What Will You Learn? By following the "So what? Who cares? Why you?" methodology, you'll uncover the business value of your innovation and learn to...

• Develop your idea 
• Understand the problem you are trying to solve for customers
• Find out where your idea fits
• Determine who your potential customers are
• Forge your path to market
• Discover your competitive edge
• Determine whether or not you can execute 
• Effectively pitch your business idea

Application Opens: Thursday, August 8

Application Deadline: Thursday, September 26 at noon

Interviews: Friday, September 27

General Information Session: Wednesday, September 25 at 1:00pm

Information Session for Selected Participants: Tuesday, October 1

• Session #1: Friday, October 4 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at the CIC in Weslaco. 
• Session #2: Friday, October 11 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at the CIC in Weslaco. 
• Session #3: Friday, October 18 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at the CIC in Weslaco. 
• Session #4: Friday, October 25 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at the CIC in Weslaco. 
• Session #5: Friday, November 1 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at the CIC in Weslaco. 
• Session #6: Friday, November 8 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at the CIC in Weslaco. 
• Demo Day: Friday, November 15 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at the CIC in Weslaco. 

All sessions are scheduled on Fridays from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at the UTRGV Center for Innovation & Commercialization in Weslaco located at 307 E. Railroad St. Weslaco, TX 78596. 

For more information and to ask any questions regarding the program, please email stephanie.mendez01@utrgv.edu. 

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