Press Release: New Entrepreneurship Studies Program
Emily Griffith Technical College to Help Skilled Graduates Become Denver’s Next Small Business Owners
New Entrepreneurship Studies program teaches skills needed to run a business
DENVER, August 4, 2026 – Emily Griffith Technical College (Emily Griffith) is helping its graduates take the next step in their career: turning their trade, service or technical expertise into a finance-ready business plan supporting their path to business ownership. Through the new Entrepreneurship Studies program for certificate graduates of Emily Griffith, students will take a capstone course, Writing a Business Plan, to create a professional, viable business plan. The first cohort of the program begins on Aug. 24. Registration is now open.
“In a 2025 study of our alumni, when asked what resources students would want to receive from Emily Griffith, 70% identified entrepreneurship training and business startup support,” said Gideon Geisel, dean of Trades, Business and Technology at Emily Griffith. “While this program is initially only for Emily Griffith Career and Technical Education or Registered Apprenticeship graduates, we anticipate opening up the program to any interested Emily Griffith student in the future.”
Colorado is seeing strong business formation, but many would-be owners may lack the practical planning, financing, legal, marketing and advising support to turn technical skills into sustainable businesses. Emily Griffith’s Entrepreneurship Studies program gives participants a bridge from employee to owner, with a finance-ready business plan, small-business coursework, and three hours of one-on-one professional advising services through a partnership with the Colorado Small Business Development Center in the Denver Metro region.
Emily Griffith is partnering with Huntington Bank to deliver critical financial education to incoming entrepreneurs. Huntington Bank will be providing expert instruction during the Financing a Small Business course across all four upcoming cohorts, ensuring participants receive real-world insights into securing funding and managing business finances.
“As Huntington continues to grow in Colorado, we’re committed to investing in the people, partnerships and programs that will help this region thrive,” said Brian Kelso, Colorado regional president, Huntington Bank. “This partnership is a great example of that, and we are excited to leverage our team’s financial and business planning expertise to support Emily Griffith’s goal of helping students and aspiring entrepreneurs turn skills and ideas into businesses.”
The comprehensive plan that students create during the program is designed to meet the requirements of lenders and investors, giving students a clear roadmap to secure funding to open a new business with confidence. The program is part-time and takes three months to complete. The class includes a hybrid blend of in-person instruction and online learning.
Reinforcing its commitment to expanding opportunity for students, the Emily Griffith Foundation announced it is providing a grant to Emily Griffith to support the Entrepreneurship Studies program. This funding will completely cover the program tuition and fees for 44 seats across four cohorts running in the upcoming 2026-27 academic year.
To learn more, visit https://www.emilygriffith.edu/programs/entrepreneurship-studies/. Additional cohorts and part-time schedules will be offered later in the year to better serve working adults.
For more information, visit emilygriffith.edu and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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About Emily Griffith Technical College
The mission of Emily Griffith Technical College (Emily Griffith) is to prepare students for today’s workforce and tomorrow’s opportunities. Emily Griffith is the public, postsecondary and adult education arm of the Denver Public School system and serves over 8,500 students through Career and Technical Education (CTE) certificate programs, apprenticeships, high school equivalency and English classes. Over the past 100+ years, the College has educated nearly two million students who have sought pathways toward long-term career advancement. In 2023, Emily Griffith Technical College was recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor as an Apprenticeship Ambassador for serving as a champion in promoting, expanding, and diversifying Registered Apprenticeship. For more information, visit our website and follow us on social media.
About The Colorado Small Business Development Center
The Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is Colorado’s most trusted business resource. We empower businesses to start, grow, and thrive, ultimately fueling innovation, strengthening local economies, and driving economic vitality across the state. Since 1987, the Colorado SBDC has been the state’s only nationally accredited, go-to resource for entrepreneurs and business owners at every stage. With 14 Service Centers, over 25 Satellite Centers, and a network of more than 240 business experts, the Colorado SBDC delivers no-cost, confidential one-on-one advising, essential training, and vital connections to community resources.
About Huntington Bank
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a $284 billion asset regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. A top 10 U.S. commercial bank, the Huntington National Bank and its affiliates provide consumers, small and middle-market businesses, corporations, municipalities, and other organizations with a comprehensive suite of banking, payments, wealth management, and risk management products and services. Founded in 1866, Huntington operates over 1,400 branches in 21 states, with certain businesses operating nationally. Visit Huntington.com for more information.
Jamie Winter
Winter Public Relations