The Richmond Entrepreneurship Academy (REA)
The Richmond Entrepreneurship Academy REA will provide free access to training, mentorship, and commercialization opportunities to entrepreneurs to address the need for more affordable, accessible training to support small businesses.
Entrepreneurs will access:
Stipend
When you are selected to test your ideas out at Shift, we give you a little stipend that you can use for product development, advertising, display design, and more.
Bootcamp
We have a mandatory workshop to get you all set up at Shift. Our bootcamp will give you a foundation in design thinking and support you in creating your display and feedback questionnaire.
Feedback Friday
During your time as a Shelfie, you will have a feedback event where you will present your idea and display to an enthusiastic community for feedback. Feedback Friday is designed as a round table discussion with peers, community members, staff and more.
Micro-Credentials
Micro-credentials are short, flexible, asynchronous learning modules designed to help participants develop the specialized, job-ready skills. Our Shelfies are required to complete our micro-credential courses.
Popup Market
You and your peers will collaborate to plan and promote a popup market event. You can sell your product or get in-person feedback on your idea.
Marketing
Students from VCU Ad Club are interning to help entrepreneurs on campus and off with branding and marketing support. Let us know what help you need and fill out this form and we will match you with an intern!
FAQs
All local, small business owners qualify for the Richmond Entrepreneurial Academy (REA). If you own a small business in Richmond and are interested in participating, please apply at this link.
REA provides free access to training, mentorship, and commercialization opportunities to entrepreneurs to address the need for more affordable, accessible training to support small businesses. Here's how it works...
Step 1: Apply!
Apply at this link.
Step 2: Join a cohort
Shift Retail Lab has 4 cohorts per semester, each lasting approximately 1 month. You will choose the timing that works for you and have access to a stipend, Shift Retail Lab, mentoring, feedback, and more.
Step 3: Attend a Bootcamp
We have a mandatory workshop to get you all set up at Shift. Our bootcamp will give you a foundation in design thinking and support you in creating your display and feedback questionnaire.
Step 4: Attend a Feedback Friday
During your time as a Shelfie, you will have a feedback event where you will present your idea and display to an enthusiastic community for feedback. Feedback Friday is designed as a round table discussion with peers, community members, staff and more.
Step 4: Collaborate on a Pop Up Market
You and your peers will collaborate to plan and promote a popup market event. You can sell your product or get in-person feedback on your idea.
The Richmond Entrepreneurial Academy (REA) is free to all participants. REA intends to address barriers to success through travel stipends, asynchronous classes, and free retail space.
Micro-credentials are short, flexible, asynchronous learning modules designed to help participants develop the specialized, job-ready skills.
Complete our micro-credential courses to earn Credly badges and share on your LinkedIn profile!
Yes! Shift Retail Lab is a multipurpose venue, well-equipped to accommodate a wide variety of events or activities. Fill out the request form and someone will be in touch shortly.
Shift Retail Lab at VCU is brought to you by the VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation. Construction of Shift Retail Lab was made possible by a partnership with Mark Hourigan and Hourigan Group. Branding created by students from VCU Brandcenter.
