Institute for Rural Vitality Launches Free Business Development Bootcamp This Fall

Online training series prepares entrepreneurs to compete for $32,000 in startup awards

COBLESKILL, NY – The Institute for Rural Vitality at SUNY Cobleskill is helping the next generation of entrepreneurs turn their ideas into thriving businesses through a new Business Development Bootcamp, beginning October 28. The program is completely free and will be held online, making it accessible to aspiring and established business owners across New York State.

Business Development Bootcamp

The three-part bootcamp, hosted on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6 p.m., offers practical, hands-on guidance in key areas of small business growth — including business planning, marketing, and financial strategy. Participants will learn from experienced instructors and gain the tools and confidence to transform their ideas into actionable plans.

Empire State Development Business Plan Competition

Graduates of the bootcamp will qualify to compete in the Empire State Development Business Plan Competition, which awarded more than $32,000 to startup businesses last year. This statewide opportunity connects participants with mentors, investors, and other entrepreneurial resources designed to help new ventures take flight.

“The Business Development Bootcamp is about building capacity and confidence,” said a representative of the Institute for Rural Vitality. “We want to empower people in our region with the knowledge and support to grow their businesses — and to show them that success in rural entrepreneurship is absolutely possible.”

The Institute has seen firsthand the economic impact of local business development. Participant businesses supported through its programs reported nearly $2 million in increased sales last year, demonstrating the lasting benefits of education, mentorship, and collaboration within the rural business ecosystem.

The Business Development Bootcamp is part of the Institute’s ongoing mission to support entrepreneurship, strengthen rural economies, and help small businesses thrive.

Enroll now!

Enrollment is now open, and space is limited.
Interested participants can learn more and register at:
https://slate.cobleskill.edu/register/?id=3fad947e-6401-48fa-aac8-8d781e2d6e10.

Provided by the Institute for Rural Vitality at SUNY Cobleskill, October 17, 2025