• Kauffman FastTrac® Application

    Kauffman FastTrac® Application

  • This 10-week series is offered by WBEC-East twice a year, and has helped hundreds of founders launch successfully over the past 3 decades.

    The Kauffman FastTrac® series is an educational program created by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, designed to help you evaluate and perfect your business concept and complete a comprehensive business plan.

    Whether you’re starting a food truck or a factory, a construction company or a consulting firm, WBEC-East and Kauffman FastTrac® can get you there.

    Fall 2026 Cohort:

    10 Sessions: September 24 – December 3, 2026

    Thursday evenings, 6:00 – 9:00 PM | Virtual

    Apply by Wednesday, September 9th!

    Fee: $300
    Scholarships & limited financial aid is available to those who qualify.

     

    The program is most appropriate for founders who:

    • Are immediately ready to launch their business in the next 12 months OR
    • Have recently launched their business in the last 1-2 years
    • Need a long term strategy and don't yet have a business plan
    • Would benefit from support with a coach and group of peers as they launch

     

    What's Included?

    • Weekly group sessions guided by our facilitator coach and guest speakers including accountants, attorneys, marketing experts, etc.
    • Complimentary unlimited 1-on-1 coaching as you need throughout the course
    • Peer support alongside a small group of founders at the same stage as you
    • Access to experienced entrepreneurs who understand how to navigate the challenges of starting a new enterprise
    • Lifetime access to an online FastTrac® Toolkit. The Toolkit houses the business planning templates, action steps, activities, videos, and other helpful materials.
    • Certificate of completion and graduation ceremony in December

     

    What Will I Learn?

    Over the course of the 10-module FastTrac® program, you will: 

    • Explore entrepreneurship and hone your business concept
    • Create an action plan to use as a roadmap for success
    • Set financial goals, monitor cash flow, and determine start-up costs
    • Learn about access to capital and approaching investors
    • Identify and research market needs and competitors
    • Determine the unique features and benefits of your product/service  
    • Create a business image and marketing strategies
    • Understand your business' legal structure
    • Evaluate pricing to plan for profitability 
    • Determine and implement next steps to launch your business and complete your business plan

     

    The FastTrac® Fall 2026 Cohort will be held virtually

    Participation requirement
    Students who are repeatedly absent, unresponsive, or disruptive will be asked to leave the course and rejoin in the future when they’re better able to focus and/or commit. No refunds are available for FastTrac® course fees.


    Application Instructions: 

    • This form is accepting applications for Fall 2026- Deadline 9/9/26
    • Fill in all the information requested and provide as much detail as possible
    • Feel free to attach any documents about your business concept, product or service, or business needs and strategies in the space below.

    After applying, we will schedule a brief interview to learn about your business and ensure this class is the right fit.

    If accepted, you must submit payment by the due date indicated on your acceptance letter to reserve your seat. 

    Space is limited! Applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis.

    If you have any questions, please email Evelyn Martinez-Rodriguez (Program Coordinator) at emartinez@wbeceast.com, or Melanie McLeod (FastTrac Course Facilitator) at melaniemcleod10@gmail.com. 

  • Your Information

  • Where in WBEC-East's region are you located?*
  • How did you hear about FastTrac®?*

  • About Your Business

  • Which of the following best describes your current status?*
  • How long have you been planning to start your own business?*

  • What is your current employment status (check all that apply)?*
  • Do you have access to a computer with reliable internet service at home?*
  • Do you feel comfortable with digital tools like google sheets, google drive, zoom meetings and internet research?*
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  • Financial Aid

  • I would like to apply for the following:*

  • The full fee for this class is $300, but as a mission-driven nonprofit, we want to be sure that the fee is never an obstacle to joining this class. 

    Scholarships and partial fee waivers are available to founders who qualify as "low-income" according to the Housing and Urban Development income scale.

    Your ability to pay the full fee will not influence our decision on whether or not you are ready for this class. Most FastTrac® participants receive need-based financial aid.

     

  • Full Scholarship Application

    WBEC-East is proud to offer full scholarships for our FastTrac® program through the support and partnership of generous corporate sponsors and individual donors. Scholarship awards are limited.
  • I am able to attend (virtually or in-person based on the Cohort) all 10 classes. Please compare FastTrac® dates to your own calendar*

  • Do you expect this household income to differ significantly in the immediate future?

  • Thank you for your interest!

    Review of Fall 2026 applications is ongoing. You will then be contacted to schedule a Zoom interview with our application team between August and September.

    Again, if you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Martinez-Rodriguez (Program Coordinator) at emartinez@wbeceast.com, or Melanie McLeod (FastTrac Course Facilitator) at melaniemcleod10@gmail.com. 

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