Entrepreneurial Training Program
Varies
Conferences and Training, Entrepreneurial Training

​Entrepreneurial Training Program Header Image

Spring 2024 Program registration closed. If interested in fall 2024, please email us at uwspce-bus@uwsp.edu.
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Program Details 


Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP) is offered by the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center's UW-Stevens Point center​. It is a 9 week course that provides an easy to follow, step by step process that shows you how to:

  • Answer the question – "Will people buy my product or service?"
  • Appeal to more customers
  • Use time, money, and resources wisely​​​​
Through instruction and guest speakers, the course serves those who are considering starting a business, owners of existing businesses struggling to get a handle on all the details, and those with successful companies they want to grow.​
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Informational Orientation 


Find out if the Entrepreneurial Training Program is right for you!

Want to know what the Entrepreneurial Training Program is all about? We will be hosting orientations for those interested in the program and for those that have already registered.

Meet the instructors and the Small Business Development Center team. Get an overview of the program, curriculum, and grant scholarship requirements. Most of all, find out how this program can help you reach your business goals.

​​Registration Information

Program Fee

Registration Fee - $1000

Grant Scholarship​

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is offering qualified applicants Entrepreneurial Training Grants that cover most of the $1,000 course fee. The grant covers 75 percent of the tuition, reducing your cost to $250.

Grant applications that are accepted does not mean you're automatically approved for the $750 scholarship. You must fulfill requirements pre/post the program for the funds to be approved. ​
 
Grant recipients must meet attendance requirements, complete a program survey, and complete a passing grade course workbook within 2 weeks of completion of the course, or will otherwise be responsible for the remaining $750. 
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Spring 2024 - Antigo Program (In-Person Only)


Orientation: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 | 5:30-7 p.m.​​  New Date! Tuesday, February 20, 2024 | 5:30-7 p.m.
Class Dates: Tuesdays, February 27 - April 23, 2024​ | 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Location: NTC Antigo | 312 Forrest Ave, Antigo, WI 54409​

To Register:​
  1. Register for the orientation​​
  2. Attend the orientation ​
  3. During orientation, decide if the ETP is right for you
  4. Apply for the ETP grant​
  5. Confirm your participation by paying the $250 partial program registration fee at the end of the orientation and pick up your textbook
    (If you are not eligible for the grant​, you will need to pay the full registration fee.)

Spring 2024 - Virtual Only Program


Orientation: Thursday, February 8, 2024 |  6-7:30 p.m.
Class Dates: Thursdays, February 29 - April 25, 2024 | 6-9 p.m.

This virtual offering will be opened to anyone in the state of Wisconsin. 

To Register: 
  1. ​Apply for​ the Grant​
  2. Register for the orientation​​
  3. Attend the orientation to make sure the program is a right fit for you
  4. After the orientation, decide if the ETP is right for you
  5. Confirm your participation by paying the $200 partial program registration fee​ online and purchasing your textbook online
    (If you are not eligible for the grant, you will need to pay the full registration​ fee.)​

Spring 2024 - Waupaca Military Veterans (Virtual Only)  Program


Orientation: Wednesday, February 7, 2024 | 6-7:30 p.m.
Class Dates: ​Wednesdays, February 28 - April 24, 2024 | 6-9 p.m.​​​

Update: Cancelled due to low enrollment. Please click on the Waupaca grant link for contact info to be on the interested list for Fall 2024.

Eligible participants must:
  • Be a current service member, honorably discharged veteran, or current/surviving spouse of service member/veteran and be a
  • Current resident of or owner/operator of a business located in Waupaca County and
  • Complete application on their webpage, supplying the required info/documentation regarding business
Additional scholarships available through the Waupaca ​​​Veteran Entrepreneurial Training Grant Program. For full grant program eligibility, ​requirements, and application process, please visit their program page.


Program Reviews



"This information is priceless. I wish I would have taken the class before I started my business 3 years ago as the mistakes are plentiful and this class helps stop those from happening."

"The most valuable aspects of the program are the experience of the instructors and counselors in presenting the information that allowed me to look at my business with an objective, critical eye from a financial viability standpoint. Guest speakers were also highly valuable, particularly discussions about watching for pivot opportunities and how to scale."

Spring 2024 Instructor​s

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Jeff Ebel, ETP Instructor Profile Image

Jeff Ebel | Angel Investor, Business Owner

Jeff Ebel is a former business owner, having had his own business in the 70s and again in 1989 starting Ebel Woodworking in his garage. In between businesses he worked in manufacturing management at two local furniture companies. In 2007 he sold Ebel Woodworking after growing it to over $4MM insales and over 45 employees. He now spends his time mentoring business owners and assisting entrepreneurs as an adjunct instructor of entrepreneurship forthe Fox Valley Technical College, the SBDC at the UW Stevens Point, and presenting the “First Steps” free workshop for the SBDC Stevens Point, Central Wisconsin SCORE Chapter, and CAP Services. He most recently joined forces with co-owner Leon Ostrowski in Midwest Wealth Ventures, LLC as its President, mentoring and coaching entrepreneurs and assisting with funding their ventures through the Wisconsin River Business Angels. He volunteers annually to serve as a judge for the Wisconsin governor’s Business Plan Contest. Jeff will be instructing our Antigo ETP class. 


Todd Kuckkahn

Todd Kuckkahn | Public Speaker, Business Owner

Todd is a public speaker, executive coach, leadership development, and DISC consultant. His professional experience includes teaching, mentoring and coaching of all ages. Experiences include high school education, post-secondary education, health and human services, associations, non-profits and private industry. Worked with and served on boards from a variety of organizations, including being President of Kiwanis and Rotary. Todd was the Executive Director of the Portage County Business Council from 2015-2021, helping to grow the leadership opportunities and business support in Portage County for small business owners. Todd will be instructing our Virtual and Waupaca ETP class. ​


Proven Impact 


Since 2013, 534 students have completed the course statewide, including 40 veterans and 73 minorities. 

If you're interested in future ETP offerings, please email uwspce-SBDC@uwsp.edu to be added to our interested list. 

Contact Info

Questions regarding this program or the ETP grant requirements, please email uwspce-sbdc@uwsp.edu​. 

Cancellation Policy


Full refund minus a $50 cancellation fee ​will be made if cancellation request is received in writing to uwspce-bus@uwsp.edu before the start of the first day of class. No refunds for cancellations made after the first day of class. Participants cancelling after the first day of class and/or who do not complete their grant requirements will be billed the remainder of the tuition fee of $750. ​​

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 Program Coordinated By: 

sbdc logo     sba logo     uw logo    IBE Logo  Small Business Development Center Accreditation Logo  

The Wisconsin SBDC Network is a proud part of the Institute of Business and Entrepreneurship in the Universities of Wisconsin. Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Please contact the SBDC at 715-346-3838 or uwspce-bus@uwsp.edu.

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