Seton Hall University has launched ImpactNJ: Urban Ventures Collaborative, a new Entrepreneurship Boot Camp and Mentoring Program designed to foster economic empowerment in underserved communities across northern New Jersey.
Starting in January 2026, the initiative will provide aspiring entrepreneurs with limited access to capital and training with an 11-month experience aimed at transforming business ideas into viable, scalable ventures.
The program serves as the Northern New Jersey partner for the nationally recognized Urban Poverty and Business Initiative (UPBI), connecting local entrepreneurs in cities like Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, Orange, East Orange and Irvington to a broader network of support.
“This program is about more than education—it’s about empowerment,” Susan Scherreik, director of ImpactNJ: Urban Ventures Collaborative and Founding director of Seton Hall’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, said. “What sets this initiative apart is the depth and duration of support we provide. This program offers truly individualized guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs who might otherwise feel overwhelmed.”
Program structure and support
The ImpactNJ experience is a robust, multi-stage initiative designed to provide comprehensive, low-cost support:
- Boot Camp: The program kicks off with a six-week Saturday Boot Camp in Newark, providing foundational business knowledge, practical training, and access to microlending resources. The cost to participants is just $25 thanks to a substantial scholarship.
- Mentoring and Consulting: After the boot camp, graduates receive four months of one-on-one mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, followed by additional consulting support in August from Seton Hall students. This service-learning component helps entrepreneurs with critical business functions like developing websites, enhancing social media presence, and strengthening operations.
Joyce Strawser, Ph.D., dean of the Stillman School of Business, emphasized the dual benefit of the initiative: “We are especially excited about involving our students in this program and providing an important service-learning experience in their journey to becoming principled business leaders.”
The effort is built on Seton Hall’s strong history of supporting innovation through existing programs like the Pirates Pitch startup competition and the Pirates LaunchPad accelerator. The program will collaborate with local partners, including the Greater Newark Enterprises Corporation, to ensure participants gain the tools needed for long-term financial stability.
The six-week Boot Camp runs on consecutive Saturdays from Jan.31 through March 7, 2026, at the Equal Space ES89 Sharespace & Incubator in Newark.
