1871 partners with The Fullbridge Program to offer a streamlined XBA in Entrepreneurship for the 1871 community; Students will attend evening classes to receive training specifically focused on developing new businesses.
CHICAGO (November 12, 2014)—1871 and The Fullbridge Program announced today the launch of the XBA in Entrepreneurship at 1871, a streamlined XBA program culminating in a certificate in entrepreneurial studies that will allow 1871 members and other entrepreneurs to gain valuable education through evening courses while they continue to build their startups. The program will offer a business education curriculum specifically developed for entrepreneurs at a fraction of the cost and time commitment of a traditional multi-year MBA.
“1871 is continually expanding the resources we offer to our members, and our new XBA in Entrepreneurship program provides a critical tool for entrepreneurs seeking to gain additional education that is highly relevant to their businesses,” said 1871 CEO Howard A. Tullman. “Having worked in education for many years, I am confident that this program will provide the right set of specialized training and resources to create real value for our members. Entrepreneurs who are busy building their businesses every single day cannot afford to put their work on hold for a traditional two-year MBA program, but with Fullbridge’s part-time, tailored curriculum, they can significantly improve their ability to create and grow successful startups.”
The Fullbridge XBA in Entrepreneurship program at 1871 will provide in-depth training focused on idea creation, disruptive innovation, brand creation, sales and marketing, brand development, team leadership, and entrepreneurial finance. Students will learn to analyze an industry, develop innovative and sustainable ideas, establish a brand, and model their business’s finances. The program will culminate in a competitive pitch by students to advisors and investors. The entire program is designed to augment, leverage and support the real-life business experiences that the students are facing every day in their entrepreneurial endeavors.
"Fullbridge is committed to ensuring that every new innovative company has the best resources possible to help them succeed in a very competitive market,” said Candice Carpenter Olson, Co-CEO and Founder of The Fullbridge Program. “We have discovered that a blend of highly accelerated work experience in the context of peers and coaches, along with targeted educational resources, will drive a participant's hard and soft skills forward by a full year or more, and set them on an accelerated curve of business growth and intelligent expansion. The firms we have worked with have had an exceedingly high ROI on Fullbridge, and the participants call it a life-changing experience."
Throughout the XBA in Entrepreneurship program, Fullbridge will provide qualified coaches with specialized training to teach students, as well as a set of online educational resources and personalized training for each participant. Students will also have access to the extensive Fullbridge employer and alumni network.
"Being a member of 1871 really gives legs to my idea through an unbelievable amount of resources and mentorship, both from industry leaders and other members of 1871," said 1871 member and Spoter founder Tom McGrath. "Through these educational opportunities, 1871 makes it easy for me to find expert knowledge and training as I work through my business’s development.”
Offered two nights each week over 15 weeks, the Fullbridge program hours complement the busy schedules of full-time entrepreneurs. The program will begin on February 23, will run on Monday and Tuesday evenings from 6:00pm to 9:30pm, and will conclude on June 2. At a cost of $5,950 per student, the XBA in Entrepreneurship offers an affordable alternative to traditional MBA programs. Veterans will be able to use funding from the GI Bill to finance their participation in the program. Additionally, 1871 has worked with Fullbridge to ensure that scholarships will be available to financially support potential participants as identified by Fullbridge and 1871. Those interested in applying for the program can find more information and apply at https://fullbridge.com/form/1871/.
About The Fullbridge Program
The Fullbridge Program is a global career accelerator specializing in educating people at pivotal moments in their lives. Our unique blended-learning approach using the most innovative tools in online learning combined with daily feedback and mentorship from expert coaches is the most effective form of delivery for real-world workplace skills. Our programs deliver a combination of subjects including finance, marketing, strategy, teamwork, management, and creative problem solving in a variety of formats, allowing the learner to absorb and master job-ready skills.
Working with students and their parents, new and seasoned entrepreneurs, colleges, corporations, and law firms, Fullbridge educates students, young professionals, and mid-level professionals to close the skills-gap. We help fast track employees and potential hires in the corporate arena by focusing on key competencies that will deepen their business acumen and accelerate their professional development. The Fullbridge program teaches real-world skills for today’s 21st century workplace and for the careers of tomorrow.
