Traditional EDGE

Plan to network, share and learn together in the EDGE courses offered by host communities. Course participants meet once a week for 3 ½ hours over 12-15 weeks at set community locations.

• Instructor-led business lecture and information sharing.
• Practice/planning hour to enhance business skills.
• Topic-related guest speakers.
• Lively discussions on topics related to business operations.

Each participant receives a set of NxLeveL™ curriculum materials (text and workbook) and access to on-line or CD financial templates. Instructors provide one-on-one counseling, feedback/suggestions on business plan sections, and resource information that help participants complete their company’s business plan. Registration fees range from $400 - $500, depending on the financial resources available within the community to help underwrite the training program.

Blended EDGE

Combine on-line technology with community interaction for a shared learning experience. Course participants go on-line to learn the business planning process and build their company's plan. Shared learning takes place on-line and through in-person networking sessions at set community locations. Requirements for the Blended EDGE course are listed under On-line Computer Requirements.

• Convenience and flexible learning.
• Instructor and student interaction on-line via email and discussion threads.
• Supplemental video clips of instructors and guest speakers offer real-world examples.
• In-person sessions for networking and local resource contacts.
• One-on-one counseling with instructor or business coach.

The course uses the NxLeveL™ Entrepreneur curriculum and all materials are available on-line. Discussion, feedback/suggestions on business plan sections, and resource information is facilitated and provided by a qualified, experienced instructor. Instructors or business coaches provides one-on-one counseling before or during networking sessions. Registration fee is $485.

On-line EDGE

Self-paced, on-line, and convenient are perfect options for the self-motivated individual who wants and needs to have a business plan completed on their time. Choose between group courses offered in Fall 2010 and Spring 2011, and the individual enrollment option available throughout the year, beginning in Fall 2010. See On-line Computer Requirements.

• Convenience and flexibility to participate and develop a business plan.
• Instructor and student interaction via email and discussion threads.
• Supplemental video clips of instructors and guest speakers offer real-world examples.

The course uses the NxLeveL™ Entrepreneur curriculum and all materials are available on-line through Louis & Clark State College, EDGE and NxLeveL partnering organization. Discussion, feedback/suggestions on business plan sections, and resource information is facilitated and provided by a qualified, experienced instructor. On-line group course will be held at set times with participants from across Nebraska. On-line individual enrollment is subject to instructor availability. Participants may be from other states and may be potential competitors, customers or partners. Registration fee is $485.

Available NebraskaEDGE Training

	Entrepreneurs - The entrepreneur course is a 12-session course delivered over 12 to 15 weeks. It is designed for those individuals who are in start-up mode, as well as those who are trying to manage the growth and evolution of an existing business. Participants develop a comprehensive business plan during the course to act as the road map for starting, strengthening or expanding their businesses.
	"Tilling the Soil of Opportunity" - The course for agricultural entrepreneurs is aimed at those individuals who have started or are thinking about starting an agricultural-based venture that is not tied to large scale, commodity-style production. Whether you are entering into the market small or mid-scale, this course helps you identify customers, develop marketing strategies and establish budgets and a cash flows to help you capture your goals. This is as 10-session course.
	Youth Enterprise - The youth entrepreneurial materials were conceived, designed and written with enterprising youth in mind. The text is graphically fun, with an MTVTM look that holds their interest and heightens creativity. Case-studies, activities help to bring the world of entrepreneurship to life in the classroom. The 16-module course can be taught in a variety of ways - traditional classroom, after school and camp settings. For more information on the Youth program, go to the Youth pages.
	Microentrepreneurship - The goal of this course is to explore the ability to achieve self-sufficiency through self-employment. This 15-session course can be taught in a variety of configurations to achieve the objective of the training organization. Currently the EDGE program collaborates with the Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP) to provide a condensed 5-sessions training.
All curricula can be purchased in English or Spanish.

On-line Computer Requirements

• Win 2000/XP/VISTA or Mac OSX Pentium/G3
• 1Ghz w/ 1.5 GB RAM
• High Speed Internet Access (Recommended*)
• Internet Explorer 7x (Recommended) or Firefox 2.0.0.16 or higher
• Current Java runtime environment for Windows or OSX (java.com)
• UPDATES – Make sure you are current on security patches for your operating system. Windows users can get updates at www.microsoft.com/security. Mac users can find updates at www.mac.com/support.

*Course access via 56K modem or other form of dial up is not recommended and any connectivity problems due to this type of connection are not supported.