Summer break is all about relaxing and having adventures, but it’s also a great time to explore new ideas and boost your entrepreneurial skills. With a few clicks, you can easily find online resources to help you grow, no matter where you are.
The first place you can start is the Edson E+I community. You’ll find a wealth of resources that you can access online, enabling you to continue your entrepreneurial journey from anywhere. Throughout the summer we are still here providing programming and resources for you to continue building your ideas and engage in an entrepreneurial community. From webinars and virtual pitch practice sessions to virtual 1:1 mentoring and digital learning modules, we have a variety of tools you can use wherever you are.
Here are some digital resources you can leverage over the summer:
1. Training and Development Resources
Our Training and Development Resources (TDR) are free, curated and on-demand digital learning tools available for anyone, any age, and at any entrepreneurial stage. This comprehensive suite of learning modules is designed to equip you with the skills you need to be successful in the entrepreneurial world.
How to engage digitally:
- The TDR is completely digital. Take a look around the site and explore the various collections, categories, and types of resources available.
- If you’re new to entrepreneurship or curious about how to be entrepreneurial, start with the “Just Start” collection. You can learn more about the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, including how to identify a problem and what steps you can take to launch your idea.
2. ASU Blackstone LaunchPad
The ASU Blackstone LaunchPad is a program and a community for ASU and Maricopa Community College students to build entrepreneurial skills and apply them to their ideas and careers. The LaunchPad offers mentorship, networking opportunities, internship opportunities, and resources to help you hone these innovation skills through entrepreneurship and your career.
How to engage digitally:
- Online community: Join our online community to connect with other student entrepreneurs, share ideas, and gain access to free events and programming.
- Virtual mentoring: Access one-on-one virtual mentoring sessions with our mentor, Lisa Guice, an experienced entrepreneur, International Speaker, Self-Relationship Expert™, and Business Consultant.
3. Pitch In
Pitch In is a community of entrepreneurs who come together twice a month to share their ideas, receive feedback, and build a network of other entrepreneurs. Pitch In occurs every second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 9 – 10 am MST and is free to attend.
How to engage digitally:
- Attend virtually: Pitch In leverages an innovative, hybrid format to bring various communities together and meet entrepreneurs where they are. While there are in-person locations, each community comes together virtually to connect and encourage anyone to join online and participate.
- Pitch your idea: Sign up online to pitch your idea virtually in a six-minute pitch, where you can receive real-time feedback and resource sharing to help you further develop your idea.
4. Just Start Guidebook
The Just Start Guidebook is a practical, step-by-step guide designed to help any aspiring entrepreneurs move from idea to action.
How to engage digitally:
- Download the Guidebook: Access the Just Start Guidebook online and work through the interactive exercises and activities to refine your ideas and develop a solid action plan.
- Explore additional resources: At the end of the Guidebook, there is a list of additional resources and links that you can explore to further engage and develop your idea.
5. Explore Business Networking Groups Online
There are many ways to connect online and share ideas about business. Here are a few places to look.
- Meetup: Meetup is a great place to find professional networking groups and communities interested in business and entrepreneurship in your area, enabling you to connect with like-minded individuals both in-person and online. If you can’t find the right group, you even have the option to create your own.
- Eventbrite: Eventbrite is a good platform to explore a wide range of business events and activities. Whether you’re seeking general business-building events or something more niche aligned with your industry, you can browse and discover the perfect in-person and virtual events for you.
Make the Most of Your Summer
Whether you’re at the idea stage or looking to scale your business, these tools and platforms offer the support and flexibility you need to thrive. Take advantage of the summer break to explore new opportunities, develop your skills, and turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
Be sure to sign up for our monthly newsletter, the Just Start Spotlight to stay in the loop on stories, events, and opportunities happening each month.
For more information and resources, visit entrepreneurship.asu.edu.
