Early applications will close on Thursday, April 30, at 11:59 P.M.
Founders Bootcamp @ The Garage is a hands-on, high-impact program designed for aspiring entrepreneurs ready to turn their ideas into launched businesses.
You will launch your venture, gain 1:1 mentor guidance and grow your professional network — all in 12 weeks. This program alternates between interactive sessions and mentor-led guidance, where you can immediately apply what you learn. It all culminates in a pop-up showcase at the Albright Entrepreneurship Garage.
What you will get:
- Hands-on venture experience — launch and test a pop-up business aligned with your goals.
- Mentor guidance — receive feedback, insights and support from experienced founders.
- Practical business skills — from customer discovery to financial planning and storytelling.
- Professional network growth — connect with peers, mentors and industry professionals.
- Career-ready experience — stand out after graduation with real entrepreneurial accomplishments.
Led by NC State alumna and founder of Flourish In Growth, Cherith Roberson, this bootcamp is your chance to go from idea to launch.
Modules
Week 1 | Starting Your Founder Journey
Define your business model and practice networking.
Week 2 | Business Model and Founder Presence
Receive individualized feedback on your early business model ideas.
Week 3 | Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Mindset
Shift from defining your business to defining yourself as a founder. Explore how personal values, motivation and resilience shape the way a venture grows.
Week 4 | Shaping Your Founder Presence
Attend a networking session with mentors to strengthen your personal founder identity and professional presence.
Week 5 | Customer Discovery and Validation; Intro to Business Financials
Start tackling the design of a pop-up that solves a real customer problem. Understand how business financials work and impact your venture.
Week 6 | Customer Feedback and Mentor Review
Present your customer personas and proposed pop-up concepts for feedback.
Week 7 | Industry, Competitors and Differentiation
Analyze your industry landscape and develop a clear, unique selling proposition.
Week 8 | Positioning Your Venture for Impact
Present your competitor analysis and USP to your mentor for feedback.
Week 9 | Customer Experience Mapping
Design an intentional customer journey to create a high-value pop-up experience.
Week 10 | Position Your Venture as Customer-Centric
Present your customer journey map and evaluate its feasibility and customer value.
Week 11 | Financial Planning and Pricing Your Venture
Develop financial projections for your venture, including cost estimates, pricing strategies and sales goals.
Week 12 | Pop-Up Showcase and After Party
Showcase your pop-up venture to peers and supporters. Followed by an awards ceremony and pizza party.
Meet Cherith
You are a good fit for Founders Bootcamp if you…
- Are an aspiring entrepreneur ready to launch your own venture within 5 years of graduation.
- Want hands-on, practical experience turning ideas into real-world businesses.
- Are excited to learn from expert mentors and join an elite cohort of innovators.
- Are willing to take risks, experiment and try something new.
- Want to sharpen your storytelling, pitching and networking skills.
- Are a degree-seeking NC State student (undergrad, graduate or PhD) looking to stand out and build something meaningful.
- Are 18 years of age or older.
Not sure if your idea is ready? If you are committed to building it, you’re a good fit.
Program Logistics
Founders Bootcamp @ The Garage will take place on Tuesdays at the Albright Entrepreneurship Garage located on Centennial Campus.
WolfLine buses routinely make stops near the Garage.
Contact
FAQ
What is Founders Bootcamp @ The Garage?
It is a free 12-week program for NC State students with a post-idea-stage venture who want to launch it in a real-world, hands-on way. You will gain mentor guidance, practical business skills and portfolio-ready experience through a pop-up business practicum.
Who is this program for?
- Students who are ready to commit 2–3 hours per week beyond program time to build their business.
- Ideal for Poole College of Management students, but open to interdisciplinary participation.
- NC State degree-seeking students with a post-idea-stage venture.
- If you want to launch a venture, gain mentorship and build a network, this is for you.
Do I need a fully-formed business idea to apply?
Nope! You just need a post-idea-stage concept — something you are ready to start testing and building over the 12 weeks.
What will I get out of the program?
- Launch and test a real pop-up venture
- 1:1 mentorship from experienced founders and industry experts
- Hands-on experience with customer discovery, financial planning and storytelling
- Professional headshots
- Pop-up showcase to present your venture
- A stronger professional network and portfolio-ready experience to share with employers or investors
How much time will the program take?
Expect 1.5 hours of instruction per week for program sessions, plus an additional 2 hours for work on your venture launch.
Is there a cost to participate?
No! Thanks to the HIE grant through the Poole College of Management, this program is completely free for students.
When does the program run?
Fall 2026 semester for 12 weeks. This program will begin on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. It will occur weekly on Tuesdays from 2:30-4:00 P.M.throughout the semester.
What is the pop-up showcase?
At the end of the program, students will present their ventures via a pop-up showcase at the Albright Entrepreneurship Garage, demonstrating their concept, customer experience and business learning.
Who leads the program?
The program is hosted by the NC Center for Entrepreneurship and led by NC State alumna and founder of Flourish In Growth, Cherith Roberson, with support from mentors and industry professionals.
How do I apply?
Complete the online application by Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. The application is short and focuses on your venture idea, motivation and availability.
How will students be selected?
Selection is based on:
- Commitment and availability
- Motivation to launch a venture within the next 5 years
- Readiness to learn from mentors and peers
- Alignment with program goals
Who can I contact with questions?
Jaclyn McVey, jjmcvey@ncsu.edu