Entrepreneurship Academy
Overview
The LA County Entrepreneurship Academies are 8-10 week cohorts that meet both virtually and in-person and are available in English and Spanish. Graduates of the Academies leave with a business plan as well as foundational business strategies and resources to grow. See the full list of curriculum topics below.
Successful graduates will:
- Develop comprehensive business, marketing, and financial plans
- Access information, tools, and practice: operations and people management, marketing and branding strategy, accounting and tax responsibility
- Gain navigation support for government licensing, certification, and permitting
- Connect to recruiting, training, and hiring resources to start or expand teams
- Demonstrate business formalization and growth
- Tap into existing and future public and private funding opportunities, including LA County awards
- Build ongoing strategic partnerships and networks
- Be eligible to apply for future grants upon meeting graduation requirements
To be eligible to participate, applicants must:
- Have been impacted by COVID-19
- Be a resident of LA County
- Be interested in starting or expanding their business
- Be an existing small business owner with 100 or fewer employees, in good standing
No current Entrepreneurship Academies available
Please submit interest form to learn about future Academies.
Cannabis Social Equity Entrepreneurship Academy Cohorts
Overview
The Cannabis Social Equity Academy, offered by the Economic Mobility Initiative, invites entrepreneurs interested in opening a retail or delivery cannabis business in an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County. The Academy is a no-cost, six‑week cohort that provides business education and training, with a special focus on the unique complexities of operating within the cannabis industry.
Upcoming Cohorts Available!
Successful graduates will gain:
- Foundational knowledge of the cannabis industry and regulatory landscape
- Understanding of Los Angeles County cannabis policies and future licensing pathways
- Education on compliant cannabis business operations focused on retail and delivery
- Guidance on business planning, financial readiness, and market strategy
- Exposure to industry professionals, technical experts, and peer entrepreneurs
- Resources to help make informed decisions about entering the cannabis industry
- Build ongoing strategic partnerships and networks
To be eligible to participate, applicants must:
- Interested in starting or operating a retail cannabis business in the unincorporated areas of LA County
- 21 years of age or older
- Los Angeles County resident
- Able to commit to full participation in all program sessions
- Interested in starting or operating a retail cannabis business in the unincorporated areas of LA County
Youth Entrepreneurship Academy
Overview
The LA County Youth Entrepreneurship Academy is a 6-week training cohort and invites youth in high school and community college to gain hands-on experience needed to build their own tech careers and businesses and contribute positively to their communities. Graduates will showcase their business concepts and leave with tools to launch future enterprises as emerging entrepreneurs.
Successful graduates:
- Develop comprehensive business, marketing, and financial plans
- Access information, tools, and practice: operations and people management, marketing and branding strategy, accounting and tax responsibility
- Gain navigation support for government licensing, certification, and permitting
- Connect to recruiting, training, and hiring resources to start or expand teams
- Demonstrate business formalization and growth
- Tap into existing and future public and private funding opportunities, including LA County awards
- Build ongoing strategic partnerships and networks
- Be eligible to apply for future grants upon meeting graduation requirements
To be eligible to participate, applicants must:
- Be a resident of LA County
- Be between the ages of 14-26
- Have been impacted by COVID-19
- Be committed to attending all 6 weeks of classes
Youth Entrepreneurship Academy Cohorts Closed
The Youth Entrepreneurship Academy, offered by the Economic Mobility Initiative, invites youth in high school and community college to gain the hands-on experience needed to build their own businesses and contribute positively to their communities.