Overview
Our Bootcamps are short courses to support freelancers, independent artists, and small business owners in developing their business model, defining their social impact, and laying the foundation to thrive.
What You Will Learn
Our Bootcamp courses support individuals in being their own boss and laying the foundation to thrive as an independent contractor, independent artist, or small business owner.
Be Your Own Boss Course
Find out what it’s really like to start your own business, and prepare yourself, your loved ones, and your finances for your entrepreneurial journey.
Freelancer Course
Define your service offering, ideal client, pricing, and contract terms, and learn how to cultivate client relationships as an independent contractor or artist.
Explore Your Idea Course
Clarify your business idea, identify your market opportunity, test your business concept, and create an online presence for your small business.
Go-to-Market Strategy Course
Learn how to go from having a prototype to building awareness and making your first sales in your small business.
Who is Eligible?
Individuals who are starting and growing a business as an independent contractor, independent artist, or small business owner.
Commit to Building Your Business
Each Bootcamp course is four to six weeks long. Average time commitment for our Bootcamp courses is 10 hours / week dedicated to building your business. A typical week for our Bootcamp entrepreneurs consists of participation in a weekly workshop, business development activities, one-on-one mentorship sessions, peer groups, and required readings and research.
Join Our Bootcamps
Our Bootcamps are offered during the following times.
Boston
Enrollment Period | Program Dates | Application Deadline |
---|---|---|
Winter 2021 | February 2021 – March 2021 | January 22, 2021 |
Winter 2021 | April 2021 – May 2021 | March 5, 2021 |
Spring/Summer 2021 | June 2021 – July 2021 | May 14, 2021 |
Spring/Summer 2021 | July 2021 – August 2021 | June 25, 2021 |
Fall 2021 | September 2021 – October 2021 | August 27, 2021 |
Fall 2021 | November 2021 – December 2021 | October 8, 2021 |
OAKLAND
Enrollment Period | Program Dates | Application Deadline |
---|---|---|
Winter 2021 | February 2021 – March 2021 | January 22, 2021 |
Winter 2021 | April 2021 – May 2021 | March 5, 2021 |
Spring/Summer 2021 | June 2021 – July 2021 | May 14, 2021 |
Spring/Summer 2021 | July 2021 – August 2021 | June 25, 2021 |
Fall 2021 | September 2021 – October 2021 | August 27, 2021 |
Fall 2021 | November 2021 – December 2021 | October 8, 2021 |
SAN FRANCISCO
Enrollment Period | Program Dates | Application Deadline |
---|---|---|
Winter 2021 | February 2021 – March 2021 | January 22, 2021 |
Winter 2021 | April 2021 – May 2021 | March 5, 2021 |
Spring/Summer 2021 | June 2021 – July 2021 | May 14, 2021 |
Spring/Summer 2021 | July 2021 – August 2021 | June 25, 2021 |
Fall 2021 | September 2021 – October 2021 | August 27, 2021 |
Fall 2021 | November 2021 – December 2021 | October 8, 2021 |
How Much It Costs
The cost of our Bootcamps consists of a one-time course fee. Course fees are determined on a sliding scale based on household income.
< $35,000 Household Income |
$35,000 – $50,000 Household Income |
$50,000 – $100,000 Household Income |
> $100,000 |
---|---|---|---|
$37.50 |
$75 |
$300 |
$600 |
In addition, we charge a one-time $25 non-refundable deposit to enroll in one of our Bootcamps.
FAQs
Do I have to be a resident in one of those metropolitan areas (Boston, Oakland, San Francisco areas) to apply?
We are committed to supporting the local economies where we run our programs. As such, you must be a resident in a metropolitan area where we have a location, either Boston, Oakland, or San Francisco metropolitan areas.
What is the value of the Bootcamp programs?
The full value of our Bootcamps is $400 for our 4-week courses and $600 for our 6-week courses. Given the current economic situation, we are subsidizing the majority of the cost of our Bootcamps for all entrepreneurs of color. By completing our Bootcamps, you will have the knowledge, tools, and network necessary to launch your business with social impact.
What kind of businesses are you looking for?
We encourage those who are passionate about creating sustainable impact in their community to apply. Some of the entrepreneurs we have worked with in the past include, but are not limited to, those in arts and culture, health and wellness, food and beverage, retail and eCommerce, manufacturing, and services industries.
What if I am unable to complete the time commitment if I am chosen?
All Bootcamp entrepreneurs are required to sign a statement of agreement indicating their commitment to the program. In the event that a Bootcamp entrepreneur must withdraw from the program prematurely, you will only owe the full course fee for the Bootcamp according to the sliding scale above.
What kind of positive social, environmental, and economic impact are you looking for?
We are looking for entrepreneurs who believe in advancing principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy. This includes businesses and business concepts that provide for cultural expression, promote health and wellness, create good jobs, advance worker ownership and democracy, utilize sustainable production methods, shift to zero waste, among other practices.
What does it mean to be a member-owner of Uptima?
Becoming a member of Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative means you become a part of a cooperative community that invests in each other, shares in our profits, and has a say in how we are run.
Are Bootcamp entrepreneurs eligible to become member-owners of Uptima?
All Uptima entrepreneurs who complete a certain level of our programs and are in good standing on their course fees are eligible to become member-owners of Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative. Entrepreneurs who are interested in becoming member-owners will need to go through the membership process.
What happens after I complete a Bootcamp program?
Depending on your mentor recommendation and completion of required business development activities, you may be invited to continue into another Bootcamp program.
You also have the opportunity to apply for our Academy, a year-long entrepreneurship certificate program to support entrepreneurs in creating plans, improving operations, accessing capital, and developing leadership capabilities to build resilient businesses with social impact. The admissions process for the Academy is selective, and your continuation is not guaranteed.