Venture Forward is training for small businesses designed by Northeastern University’s Roux Institute. It’s also so much more.

Participants will:

• Develop and execute a scalable business strategy
• Refine business models and strengthen market positioning
• Work with Roux staff as well as a dedicated mentor to help you execute your strategy
• Gain access to the Roux network, all of their proprietary innovation resources and finish with the showcase pitch

APPLY NOW!

Program runs from MARCH 31 - JUNE 4, 2026

• Attend 8 Learning Modules with In-Person Programming at the Roux Institute
• 6 Office Hour Sessions with Live and Virtual Availability

• Pitch your New Business Strategy at the Roux, in front of mentors, peers, and ecosystem leaders

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Venture Forward?

Venture Forward is a community-centered business growth program designed to help local entrepreneurs strengthen, scale, and sustain their businesses. Over an eight-week series, participants work through a practical, innovation-focused curriculum tailored to the needs of small business owners in their town.

Through weekly, in-person workshops hosted at a local community venue, business owners learn how to adopt emerging technologies, improve operational efficiency, refine their business models, and elevate their market presence. Each entrepreneur is paired with a dedicated mentor and gains access to hands-on support from design, marketing, and business analysis teams — including services such as website updates, SEO and social audits, financial modeling, market research, and more.

The program concludes with a community Showcase, where participants present their growth strategies to mentors, partners, and local leaders — highlighting the momentum created through Venture Forward.

Who is the program for?

Venture Forward is designed for local entrepreneurs, small business owners, and emerging business leaders who are ready to take the next step in growing their ventures. It’s especially well-suited for those who want to strengthen their operations, adopt new tools and technologies, and build a more resilient foundation for long-term success.

Whether you’re launching a new idea, expanding an existing business, or looking to adapt to a changing market, this program is built for individuals who are committed to investing in their future and deepening their impact within their community.

What does the program include?

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Prospective participants begin by submitting a short online application. Program staff review all submissions, conduct phone screens with eligible applicants, and work with the host town to select cohort that aligns with program goals. All applicants are notified of their acceptance prior to the program start date.

PRE-PROGRAM PREPARATION:

Before the program begins, participants complete a brief questionnaire to identify existing resources, capabilities, and areas of opportunity. Business owners also receive selected case studies and readings to help establish a growth mindset and prepare for the first session.

DURING THE PROGRAM:

Throughout the program, participants have access to personalized support from their mentor, Roux Institute entrepreneurship staff, and dedicated Northeastern University co-ops. While engagement outside of weekly sessions is optional, it is strongly encouraged to maximize impact.

HOMEWORK & ACTION STEPS:

Following each workshop, business owners receive targeted action steps and reflection prompts to complete individually or with their teams. Each session begins with a short check-in where participants share progress, challenges, and insights from the previous week’s assignment.

What can participants expect? 

Small businesses participating in Venture Forward can expect hands-on support, practical tools, and a clear path toward sustainable growth. Throughout the program, entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to strengthen their operations, refine their strategy, and build meaningful connections that help fuel long-term success. Specifically, participants will: 

• Gain practical tools and frameworks to support business scaling
• Build a customized, actionable growth plan
• Increase fluency in emerging technologies and learn to leverage them for efficiency
• Refine their business model to align with future goals
• Connect with a community of local business leaders pursuing similar objectives

What makes Venture Forward different?

Venture Forward blends the power of cohort-based learning with personalized, hands-on support tailored specifically for small businesses. Each entrepreneur is paired with a dedicated locally-based mentor and receives direct access to the Roux Institute’s design, marketing, and analytics experts—ensuring they gain both strategic guidance and practical tools they can put to work right away.

What sets Venture Forward apart is its place-based model. The program is designed not only to strengthen individual businesses but also to deepen the connections within the local business community through peer mentorship, shared problem-solving, and collaboration. We build the program with each town, not simply deliver it to them, shaping the curriculum, mentorship, and support services around local needs, industries, and opportunities.

What is Venture Forward's curriculum?

Through a series of focused workshops, participants explore the fundamentals of growth, learn proven frameworks, and practice applying new approaches directly to their ventures. Core curriculum topics include:

• Customer Discovery & Value Proposition
• Business Model & Pricing Strategy
• Marketing & Online Presence
• Pitching 101
• Peer-to-Peer Reflections
• Generative AI & Prompt Engineering

What are people saying about Venture Forward?

“Venture Forward was exciting because it supports the Yarmouth businesses that are already here saying, ‘We’re here for you, we support you, and we’re excited for you to grow here.’ This program truly helped tighten the weave of our small business community.”

-Tori Hill, Director, Yarmouth Community and Economic Development

“The Roux team did an incredible job bringing Venture Forward to life. The connections we made through the program were amazing, and being part of the inaugural cohort was a truly rewarding experience.”

- Tom Estabrook, Co-owner Estabrook’s Garden Center and Nursery