Nonprofit growing entrepreneur coaching program

By Alex Brown | Inside INdiana Business

A Fort Wayne-based nonprofit has announced a redesign of its entrepreneur coaching program. Start Fort Wayne says Compass, which provides one-on-one coaching, is being expanded to give entrepreneurs more opportunities for mentorship and peer support.

Since its launch, Compass has allowed entrepreneurs to meet with Start Fort Wayne's entrepreneur coach, Steve Franks. More than 90 entrepreneurs have taken part in the program. The nonprofit says the redesigned program, which will begin September 9, will feature a "peer cohort model."

Participants in the program will meet as a group once a week for 12 weeks. The nonprofit says the group meetings aim to provide  "wide variety of feedback from a variety of sources to maximize each participant's learning." The redesigned program will still include mentorship and one-on-one coaching.

Franks says he has experience in coaching entrepreneurs in both individual and cohort settings and the new Compass program blends the best of both. 

Start Fort Wayne says the goal of Compass is to give startups and founders "structured assistance as they create their new venture," and it is open to anyone planning a startup in the northeast Indiana region. You can learn more about the program by clicking here.