With the mission to support and guide all students at Wofford College interested in developing their entrepreneurial skills and ventures, we are a scholarship program that has expanded its reach to support a community of student entrepreneurs and innovators. We encourage students to pursue entrepreneurial activities through programming, funding, pitch competitions, mentorship, and business community resources. Alums and friends of the college have volunteer opportunities with Launch and contribute in various ways.
Embark Project
Summary: An Embark Project serves as a means for small businesses to connect with budding entrepreneurs and receive help with a belated marketing or management project. This pre-internship is coordinated by the Launch Program Manager, who pairs a Launch participant with a small business to produce deliverables. Project examples include a new service rollout, creating marketing campaigns, developing the customer experience, software transition, social media impact, inventory management, tabulating data, and more.
Time commitment: 10 weeks | Spring and Fall semesters (September-December/February-May)
Location: Virtual (US)
Student benefit:
- Guided supervision by a professional with related work experience in the field
- Continuous observation, evaluation, and feedback for growth
- Inspiration to innovate and explore a personal venture
- Build a professional network
Partner benefit:
- Cost effectiveness – there is no cost to the partner
- Provides fresh perspectives, mutual growth, and cultivates cultural and generational intelligence
- Enhanced productivity – allows other colleagues to pursue creative or more advanced or time-sensitive projects
- Develops emerging leaders and future founders
Get involved: [link to Embark Partner Form]
Summary: Mentors can be crucial to the success of a business. Various reports show high percentages of entrepreneurs globally who receive mentoring increase their revenue and survive their first one or two years in business. The aim for mentorship in the Launch Program is to connect founders with student entrepreneurs to form a professional mentor-mentee relationship.
Time commitment: Minimum one hour monthly | Spring and Fall semesters (September-December/February-May)
Location: Phone, virtual, or on-campus
Student benefit:
- Explore career paths and industries
- Build a personal network and valuable connections
- Receive business practice advice, strategies, and lessons from the professional
- Help with setting achievable goals
Partner benefit:
- Personal growth and development
- Improve leadership, management, and communication skills
- Paying it forward
- Increased self-confidence and self-awareness
- Exposure to new and different perspectives
Get involved: [Link to Mentor Form]
Summary: Not every student entrepreneur at Wofford is a participant in the Launch Program. To be more inclusive and reach beyond the Program, an on-campus Interim, The Entrepreneurial Mindset, deliberately exposes students to various methods and models of entrepreneurship. The main objective is to use their experience and expertise to help student entrepreneurs navigate the potential challenges and opportunities of building a successful business.
Time commitment: One week in January
Location: Wofford campus | Spartanburg, SC
Student benefit:
- Academic credit
- Strategic guidance
- Access to networks and resources
Partner benefit:
- Expand network and brand awareness
- Build a track record
- Showcase your expertise
- Give back as a Terrier
Get involved: Email to butlersc@wofford.edu
Summary: Launch participants must attend a certain number of workshops to maintain active status in the program. Workshop speakers guide participants through hands-on activities, discussions, and collaborative exercises to practice the application of a new skill. Topics provide entrepreneurial insight and are open to all Wofford students. Â
Time commitment: approximately 1 hour | Spring and Fall semesters (September-December/February-May)Â
Location: Wofford campus | Spartanburg, SCÂ
Student benefit:Â
- Receive training content that is both practical and in alignment with business objectivesÂ
- Provided accurate content and best practicesÂ
- Gather knowledge for future useÂ
Partner benefit:Â Â Â
- Recognition as subject-matter-expert with credibility, advanced knowledge, and field experienceÂ
- Enhance storytelling and presentation skillsÂ
- Brand buildingÂ
- Youth empowerment and motivationÂ
Get involved: Email to butlersc@wofford.eduÂ
