Director of the ImpactNJ: Urban Ventures Collaborative Susan Scherreik-Hynes (left) with ImpactNJ Program Coordinator Matthew LaRocca and Associate Provost of Partnerships/Global Initiatives Mary Kate Naatus.
The ImpactNJ: Urban Ventures Collaborative is a promising initiative that aims to uplift aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business owners facing resource challenges. Applications are now open for this newly created Entrepreneurship Boot Camp and Mentoring Program, which is designed to equip participating entrepreneurs with essential tools and guidance. This initiative is particularly focused on strengthening underserved communities across northern New Jersey, offering a lifeline to individuals who may have limited access to capital, training, or other crucial resources.
Scheduled to commence in January 2026, the program is positioned within the nationally recognized Urban Poverty and Business Initiative (UPBI). This initiative brings together a growing network of universities and nonprofit organizations globally, dedicated to expanding opportunities through entrepreneurship and promoting sustainable community development. Seton Hall University serves as the Northern New Jersey partner for UPBI, making strides to enhance inclusive growth in cities such as Newark, Orange, East Orange, Irvington, Paterson, Elizabeth, and Jersey City.
The ImpactNJ program presents an extensive 11-month experience that caters to both low-income individuals eager to turn their business ideas into viable realities and entrepreneurs striving to scale their existing businesses. Graduates of the initial six-week boot camp will have the opportunity to engage in four months of one-on-one mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs. Following this, they will also receive consulting support from Seton Hall students during the month of August, focusing on website development, social media enhancement, and fortifying their overall business operations.
As Susan Scherreik, Director of ImpactNJ, aptly puts it: “This program is about more than education; it’s about empowerment.” The depth and duration of support offered through this initiative are what truly set it apart. The program provides individualized guidance tailored for aspiring entrepreneurs who may otherwise feel overwhelmed by the obstacles they encounter in their daily lives.
The ImpactNJ initiative builds on Seton Hall’s robust history of entrepreneurship support. Previous programs like the Pirates Pitch startup competition, Pirates LaunchPad summer accelerator, and the UPitchNJ collegiate competition in partnership with Nokia Bell Labs have laid a strong foundation for smaller ventures to grow effectively.
Joyce Strawser, Ph.D., dean of the Stillman School of Business, emphasizes the critical national and global connections that align with UPBI: “By aligning with UPBI, Seton Hall connects urban entrepreneurs in New Jersey to a broader network of support and opportunity.” This initiative not only benefits the entrepreneurs themselves but also provides students with invaluable service-learning experiences as they navigate their paths toward becoming principled business leaders.
Boot Camp and Mentoring Program Features
The program begins with a comprehensive six-week Saturday Boot Camp, which aims to provide participants with foundational business knowledge alongside practical tools necessary for strengthening or launching their ventures. Highlights of the curriculum include:
- Hands-on business training through engaging in-person workshops
- Access to microlending resources
- One-on-one mentorship from seasoned professionals
- Guidance on essential business basics such as licensing, banking, websites, and accounting
- Ongoing consulting support from Seton Hall’s student-led business consulting teams
Workshop Dates: Saturdays, from 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on January 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28, and March 7, 2026.
- Location: Equal Space ES89 Sharespace & Incubator, 89 Market Street, 4th Floor, Newark, NJ
- Cost: Participants contribute just $25, thanks to a scholarship valued at $725
Collaboration with local partners—such as the Greater Newark Enterprises Corporation, recognized as a certified Community Development Financial Institution—ensures that participants receive training, tools, and mentorship necessary for building sustainable businesses. This initiative is geared towards helping them achieve long-term financial stability.
For those seeking more information or wishing to apply for the January 2026 cohort of the ImpactNJ: Urban Ventures Collaborative Entrepreneurship Boot Camp and Mentoring Program, click here. Additionally, there is a call for mentors to engage with both early-stage entrepreneurs and established businesses. Mentoring will unfold over approximately four months, from mid-March through July, through bimonthly discussions that can occur virtually or in-person. Those interested in sharing their business experiences can sign up to be a mentor here.
About the Urban Poverty and Business Initiative (UPBI)
The UPBI is spearheaded by the University of Notre Dame’s McKenna Center for Human Development and Global Business. This coalition of universities and nonprofit organizations is committed to alleviating poverty through entrepreneurship, advocating for urban entrepreneurship programs not only in the U.S. but also globally. The overarching methodology of UPBI revolves around inclusive economic empowerment, coupled with a long-term commitment to impactful change.
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