The Anvil Student Startup Bootcamp is a free, non-credit bearing program for UAB students interested in starting a business. Open to students from any year or major, the Anvil offers mentorship and curriculum on the basics of entrepreneurship from seasoned entrepreneurs, business leaders and UAB faculty.

Thanks to IBERIA Bank and a partnership with the Blazer Innovation Challenge, Anvil participants may now compete for prizes of up to $5,000 after completeing the program.

An application - due January 20 - and intake interview are required for admission.

Spring Schedule (subject to change):

February 3 - Introductions - Dive into the entrepreneurial ecosystem, learn about bootcamp resources, meet the cohort and pitch early ideas.

February 5 - Mission Vision Values - Begin exploring the entrepreneurial mindset, form teams and define the “why” behind the “what.”

February 10 - Building a Team - Assembling the right team can make or break a company. Learn about identifying a great cofounder, building a team, and establishing effective team dynamics.

February 12 - Alumni Mixer - Network with program graduates to see how they’ve put their entrepreneurship education into action.

February 17 - Customer Discovery - Missing product-market fit is the #1 reason startups fail. Explore the importance of talking to the target customer and “getting out of the building.”

February 19 - Coaching and work session.

February 24 - Business Model Canvas - The Business Model Canvas helps entrepreneurs visualize all aspects of a business plan. Learn how to use a BMC to improve business strategy.  

February 26 - Coaching and work session.

March 2 - Sales and Marketing - How do you reach your customers?  Discuss the sales funnel model, branding and other startup marketing essentials. 

March 4 - Coaching and work session.

March 9 - Legal - Experts address how to actually form a company, what's needed to get started, and how to protect the company’s assets, as well as your own.

March 11- Coaching and work session.

March 23 - Entrepreneurial Accounting and Finance - An overview of the nuts and bolts behind entrepreneurial accounting and finance. Compare cost and revenue structures, pricing, and hiring. 

March 25 - Coaching and work session.

March 30 - Fundraising - Cover sources of funding, cap tables, vesting, and what to know long before talking to investors.

April 1 - Coaching and work session.

April 6 - Pitching - Learn how to craft a great pitch to tell a compelling story and win over any audience.  

April 8 - Coaching and work session.

April 15 - Demo Day - Teams pitch their business ideas to an audience of local business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and compete for up to $5,000.