Educational Services of Hampton Roads, Inc.’s Aspiring Business Owners Project (ABOP) is dedicated to assisting business owners in the early stages of entrepreneurship. With guidance, the right tools, learned skills, and an entrepreneurial mindset, you can grow your ideas and watch them take off.

This free course is designed to empower individuals in developing compelling business plans and starting small businesses in the City of Norfolk and surrounding areas. Only 20 seats are available per semester, including a hybrid of both in-person and independent study sessions.

The course includes curriculum on how to draft a business plan by leading experts in business development, marketing, and finance. Mentoring is a core component of this project, as we aim to graduate as many participants as possible.

Successful graduates go on to pitch their business idea in front of a panel of local entrepreneurs and investors for their chance at a $1,000 cash prize to assist in the formation and launch of their venture.