E-Scholars, one of the city’s best programs for up-and-coming entrepreneurs, is taking applications for its next class.

Up to 35 fledgling companies will be welcomed into that next cohort, which begins meeting on Jan. 20. Participants will receive training, mentoring and other support to help them launch their businesses.

The E-Scholars program runs over the course of two semesters at the Bloch School of Management at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. It offers an ideal schedule for most working adults – the sessions go from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on 14 Saturdays.

“Participants in the program don’t just benefit from our academic instruction; they’re supported and surrounded by our mentors and faculty, gaining the advantage of their knowledge and expertise, as well as from the experience of our alumni. They can even secure early funding from our yearly venture competition,” said Ben Gruber, E-Scholars Coordinator.

“We work exclusively with nascent entrepreneurs who come with an idea and passion, but limited business experience. We teach them the fundamentals of running a business, help them test, refine and improve upon their idea, and prepare them to launch their business and scale it – all in under a year.”

You don’t have to be attending UMKC to apply for E-Scholars, though about half of participants are current students. There are no academic requirements – all you need is an idea and the willingness to work hard.

Thanks to funding from the Kauffman Foundation, the Bloch Family Foundation, the Regnier Family Foundation and other donors, most costs are waived. Community members are charged $1,000, or $500 per semester. A 20 percent discount is available to those who pay up front. A discount is also offered to UMKC alumni.

A full FAQ on the E-Scholars program can be found at this website.