The Entrepreneur in Training Partnership (EITP) facilitates free entrepreneurship, job readiness, and personal development training for currently and formerly incarcerated community members. The EITP is a collaboration between UW-Madison Extension and Defy Ventures, a national organization dedicated to helping end recidivism by training formerly incarcerated people to become entrepreneurs. Using the Defy Ventures curriculum and program model, we train justice-involved community members and connect them with coaches from the local business community. Entrepreneurs In Training (EITs) in our programs receive practical wisdom on how to start a thriving business and lifelong access to our alumni community.

Defy Ventures Entrepreneurship Bootcamp class is for people with criminal records who have reentry stability and want to start a business. The class meets weekly for 3-4 months and includes the basics of business planning along with personal development to deepen EITs’ leadership skills.

Our Career & Reentry Educator works with participants in Entrepreneurship Bootcamp to prepare for and navigate reentry. She can help with your first resume, sharpen your interview skills, and help you connect to employers, training programs, and other resources. She will also help with basic computer skills as you learn how to use a computer and navigate Google Suite Tools (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.)