LAUNCH
Ten weeks to launch.
Actuator is BRIC’s free 10-week entrepreneurship course — built to get your tech or tech-enabled business concept ready to launch, with a focused curriculum, weekly mentorship, and a founder’s toolkit that lasts a lifetime.
3
cohorts a year
10
weeks per cohort
110+
startups supported since 2021
$17M+
raised by Actuator companies
THE PROGRAM
What is Actuator?
Actuator is BRIC’s free entrepreneurship course designed to get your tech or tech-enabled business concept ready to launch with an 10-week focused curriculum.
The Actuator program is designed to position your business concept for a great launch and to provide you with a suite of tools and insights to build a “founders mindset” for a lifetime of entrepreneurship. This includes exposure to a number of different business models, planning tools, and Vermont's robust startup ecosystem.
How the ten weeks work.
During the 10-week program, there will be several key opportunities to evaluate your progress and your business’ value in order to build towards next steps.
Prepared Learning
Founders are responsible for completing each week’s provided learning materials. This could be articles, decks, or videos, all of which ensure participants arrive informed and ready for the rest of the week. This learning empowers group and mentor time to be active and collaborative.
Weekly Workshops
A weekly 2-hour workshop empowers Founders through engagement with Subject Matter Experts and course content. Founders practice communicating about their business and receive constructive feedback in an intimate cohort setting.
Mentor Connections
Founders connect weekly with guest Mentors to apply what they've learned and develop their business concepts. Mentor meetings are not only critical learning opportunities, but build key connections for Founders and Mentors, alike.
Capstone Event
Every fall, select Founders present their concepts and businesses. Participant build a pitch deck to showcase what they've learned, successes and anticipated milestones, and identify what support they need to move their business concept forward.
Milestones that move you forward.
A living Business Canvas
During every week of Actuator, founders will edit, adapt, and iterate on a Business Canvas. The business canvas provides a one-page summary of a business plan and refining the canvas will be an ongoing process throughout the curriculum, providing a tool for quickly communicating business value.
Mentors at every step
Founders engage with Mentors at every step of the program. Weekly workshops are led by selected subject matter experts (SMEs) who have experienced firsthand "the good, the bad, and the ugly" of startup life.
Flexible and remote-friendly
Actuator's weekly workshops create a community of Founders who share experiences and gain new insights in a warm, hospitable setting. However, we understand that life gets busy! Rest assured - Founders may remotely access the curriculum, join workshops sessions online, and connect with mentors virtually.
Focus areas.
If a business concept uses technology, Actuator can help it meet its fullest potential.
Tech-Enabled Entrepreneurship
Actuator’s core content focuses on customer-oriented lean business development for tech-enabled startups, from quantum computing, biotech, and advanced manufacturing to app development and e-commerce.
Advanced Manufacturing
Our partnerships with Vermont State University and the Vermont Manufacturing Collaborative provide cohorts with everything they need to build an advanced manufacturing startup. Learn how to concept, build, and scale, with access to leading-edge manufacturing technologies, mentors, and tools.
Advanced Computing
Norwich University and top advanced computing experts provide Actuator participants with a wealth of experience to build Advanced Computing startups. Cohorts can explore cyber security, quantum computing, artificial intelligence and networks, and augmented reality with access to VTEL's world-class dark fiber network.
Three cohorts a year; Entrepreneurship in Vermont
Pick the season that fits. Admissions are rolling, and every season has something to celebrate.
01
Our cohorts are seasonal so participants can enjoy unique lifestyle activities across the year. Explore rivers and lakes in the Spring, hike through the foliage in the Fall, and enjoy Winter on the slopes or by the fireside.
02
Anyone who loves Vermont knows that we have one of the most incredible food scenes in the world! Celebrate Vermont’s culinary scene with connections to makers and restaurants throughout the state.
03
Rural startup life can seem intimidating at first, but comes with a wealth of benefits. BRIC breaks down common challenges and provides resources to empower Founders to build businesses in Vermont.
Apply to Actuator.
Questions? A real person answers — ask the program team.