New Venture Lab: Equipping Christian Entrepreneurs

Basic Entrepreneurship Training Class

Introducing the Venture Academy

 

Click here to go to our YouTube Channel to view videos of the Venture Academy

Program Overview

The Venture Academy curriculum includes lectures, Harvard Business School case studies, and workshops on various topics including: sales, marketing, accounting, finance, business law, human resources, business planning, business communications, operations, technology, and service management -- all with a Biblical worldview.

The Basic Entrepreneurship Training Program

The Basic Entrepreneurship Training program is a week-long intensive "mini-MBA" that covers a core entrepreneurial curriculum that includes lectures all of the topics above as well as vision-setting lectures, business planning workshops and seasoned entrepreneur panel presentations and discussions.

Students also read, analyze and participate in the classroom discussion of over a dozen Harvard Business School cases to drive home the lessons in a real-world setting of real leaders wrestling with real problems.

The Basic Entrepreneurship Training program is currently held at a scenic Christian camp in the beautiful hills of middle Tennessee near Bon Aqua, Tennessee, which is located 42 miles southwest of Nashville.  The Venture Academy includes group dorm-style accommodations, group meals and study group preparation each evening for the business case discussions the next day – all to foster a strong network and deep relationships with other like-minded believers who desire to become entrepreneurs or improve their skills in running their own businesses.

Instructors

Venture Academy students receive the highest-quality entrepreneurial education modeled after the Harvard MBA program with a curriculum that includes Harvard Business School case studies. 

The primary instructor is Wade Myers, the Venture Academy president.  He is a Baker Scholar graduate of Harvard's MBA program as well as a case author and guest lecturer for the Harvard Business School.  He is a father of five and founder of New Venture Lab, a business incubator dedicated to assisting Christian men with their entrepreneurial ventures.  He is a five-time CEO, venture capitalist, and prolific serial entrepreneur.  He has served as the chairman of a venture capital firm, board member of an $850 million investment firm, strategy consultant with the Boston Consulting Group, Fortune 500 sales and marketing executive, and as an Airborne Ranger in the US Army where he was a decorated veteran of the Gulf War.

The Venture Academy faculty includes other Christian entrepreneurs, CPAs, attorneys, visionary ministry leaders, and other lecturers and panelists.

Student testimonials on the quality of the instruction...

More testimonials...

Schedule

The Venture Academy in-person classroom training convenes periodically as the Lord wills and demand dictates.  When the week-long event is held, classes begin Monday morning at 8 AM and go until 5 PM or 5:30 PM each day and on Saturday from 8 AM to 12 PM.  Students are given Harvard Business School cases each evening to read, analyze and prepare for the following day's discussion.

Click here for an example class schedule

Click here to register for our next course

Networking Opportunities

More testimonials...

Tuition and Course Materials

The Venture Academy course of instruction includes classroom instruction, copies of presentation materials, Harvard Business School case study materials and two one-hour follow up conference calls/webinars.  Additionally students may opt to purchase a copy of the Venture Academy DVD Training Series (35+ hours of video of the course, 6 workbooks and over 60 downloads) and 4 hours of one-on-one consulting with the Venture Academy president (Wade Myers.)

Fees range from $250 to $1,800 depending upon the age of the student, the timing of registration (early registration discounts and family discounts are available) and the optional DVD training series and consulting. 

Accomodations

Lake Benson Christian camp has "gang-style" men's and women's dorms priced at $10 per day and a limited number of private motel-style rooms for families priced at $35 per day (see the registration form for more details.)

Other area accommodations include:

  • Hotel/motel: There are many other well-known hotel/motel brands in nearby Dickson, Fairview and Bellevue, TN such as Holiday Inn Express, Days Inn, Econo Lodge, Hampton Inn, Ramada Inn, etc.
  • Camping:

Phone: 615-797-9052
Address: 1020 Jackson Hill Road, Burns, TN 37029
Rates: $11 per night for non-electric site and $20 per night for electric site for camping or RV hookup, rooms at the Inn are $68 per night

    • Dickson RV Park

Phone: 615-446-9925
Address: 150 W Christi Dr, Dickson, TN 37055
Rates: $28 per night for a full-service RV hookup

Recreation

Lake Benson features a large stocked lake that can be fished without license, a full-size gymnasium, children's playground for families, and ball fields.

Meals

Students eat at the Lake Benson dining hall and meals will be served starting with breakfast on Monday and end with lunch on Saturday immediately after the last class session.  The Full Meal program is $140 for the week.

Local students or students staying off campus can elect for the Lunch Only program for only $36 for the week.

Packing List

  • Laptop computer equipped with a wireless card (some class assignments and other information will be disseminated to students via a website)
  • Business casual attire; exercise gear; sports equipment for the gymnasium, sport court and running/walking trails; and fishing gear (for fishing in Lake Benson - no license required)
  • Bed linens, towels, toiletries and pillow
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Click here to register for our next course

Can't attend in person or can't wait to get going?  Then consider the Venture Academy DVD Training Series, that features an entire Basic Training Class experience with 35+ hours of premium business training, 16 DVDs with over 38 valuable sessions, 6 workbooks, pre-loaded USB drive with helpful business documents, and much more!


Now available: the Venture Academy DVD Training Series featuring an entire Basic Training Class experience with 35+ hours of premium business training, 16 DVDs with over 38 valuable sessions, 6 workbooks, pre-loaded USB drive with helpful business documents, and much more!  Click here to order from Franklin Springs Family Media. 

“I just want to say one more time how grateful I am for the opportunity to attend Venture Academy this past week.  It was a blessing beyond words.  Jonathon and I had a wonderful time...my family and I so appreciate your willingness to give of yourself to help train and teach men all across the country, that we might be equipped to return to our families and better fulfill the responsibilities the Lord has given us as leaders in our home.  You are a dear brother in the Lord and I will purpose to pray for you as He sees fit to use you in the lives of other men.  Attached is a small thank you from the children.  The Lord richly bless you Wade!” — Kelly S.

“I would like to once again sincerely thank you for Venture Academy.  I do not think it hyperbolic to say that it was an experience which will be forever etched on my memory; every day the recollection of some comment, episode, or conversation from that week in Tennessee brings a smile to my face.  Your vast experience and expansive knowledge base were channeled so well through your organized presentation, delightful sense of humor and unflagging enthusiasm.  Each lecture and vignette manifested your passion for entrepreneurship and your love for God's people.  I found the case study approach to be an exciting and effective way to learn the material and see the principles in application; and thought it amazing that by the end of the week we were all thinking like venture capitalists.  As was remarked upon in virtually every conversation with other students, the second 'pillar' of Venture Academy was the focused and intense fellowship of Christian men representing many regions, traditions and disciplines; united in the firm conviction that Christ is sovereign in each area of life.  It was refreshing to be able to sit down with anyone there and realize that a common foundation of belief was already present on which to build...” — Ian L.

“The knowledge gained, friends made, and pratical things learned were truly great.  It was a privilege sitting under you and the other teachers, hearing experiences expounded upon, and seeing Christ glorified in the training of entrepreneurs.  The lessons learned were many and I look forward to further processing the information as I continue to reference my notes...Know that my life was enriched and I will do my best to put this knowledge to work.  I believe the things I learned at the Venture Academy will equip me for my life's work.” — Chris S.

“Thank you so much for the hard work and sacrifices you and your family made to make this past week possible. I have benefited, and am certain I will continue to benefit from the knowledge and relationships I developed at the Venture Academy. I can truly say that the week exceeded my expectations. I am so grateful that the Lord is allowing me and many others to benefit from your many experiences.” — Grant W.

“We all were extremely fortunate to have been in attendance at the first Venture Academy.  Just imagine the ripple effect this will have over the next 10 generations.  What a smiling providence in our lives.” — Brian M.

“I am so thankful for the opportunity to spend last week with you at the Venture Academy.  The information provided was an incredible resource to me as I plan for launching my business.  The time and effort you put into making this opportunity available is very much appreciated.  I believe that your vision for equipping young men to be entrepreneurial kingdom builders will have a tremendous multi-generational impact.  May God richly bless your labors as you seek to honor him.” — Jason K.

“What a privilege it was for Bradley and me to attend the Venture Academy...The quality of instruction and the level of organization was truly impressive!  I'm sure this will be a very beneficial addition to Bradley's schooling and a tremendous encouragement to me as I begin a family business...May God use your work and your family as a witness to inspire others in their pursuit of Godly vocations for their families.” — Paul F.

“I believe the Venture Academy benefited me in three main ways.  First, it broadened my vision for Christian entrepreneurship while encouraging me to step out and take risks.  Second, it provided a foundational framework of sound business concepts to build upon.  Third, it connected me to a network of likeminded entrepreneurs whose collective resources and capabilities are truly remarkable.  I have no doubt that I return from the Academy better equipped for service in Christ's kingdom.  Though still very much an entrepreneurial novice, I now have a much better idea of the right questions to ask and the areas in which to expand my knowledge.  I eagerly look forward to further training and discipleship opportunities from New Venture Lab.” — Joshua H.