Drake State Community and Technical College is celebrating the completion of its RenueRedi Entrepreneurship Program, which has provided entrepreneurs across three cohorts with training and resources to start or strengthen a business.
The 21-week program served 38 entrepreneurs across three cohorts, or classes, and participants received training in everything from business planning and finances to marketing, finding customers, and growth strategies. The program also included hands-on instruction and mentorship from experienced business owners.
“We are incredibly proud of the entrepreneurs who completed the RenueRedi program,” said Dr. Patricia Sims, President of Drake State Community and Technical College. “These business owners demonstrated dedication, resilience, and a commitment to growth throughout the program. Supporting innovation and entrepreneurship is a key part of Drake State’s mission, and we are excited to see how these graduates continue to make an impact in our community and beyond.”
CNI Solutions, a nonprofit focused on entrepreneurship training and financial literacy education, partnered with Drake State to deliver the program.
“The most impactful aspect of the RenueRedi Institute program was its ability to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with meaningful, hands-on training that helped them start, refocus, and strengthen their businesses,” said Charles Frye, President of CNI Solutions. “Beyond the curriculum, participants gained access to a powerful network of experienced small business owners who offered mentorship, guidance, and real-world support. Those connections gave the entrepreneurs the confidence, resources, and relationships needed to transform their ideas into viable businesses and position themselves for long-term success.”
RenueRedi grew out of a $215,000 grant Drake State received in 2023 from Innovate Alabama, a state-created public corporation focused on supporting entrepreneurship, technology and innovation across the state. The grant helped Drake State establish an innovation hub supporting entrepreneurs, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds interested in business opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to fostering innovation, diversity, and economic development in Huntsville and throughout North Alabama,” Sims said. “By providing entrepreneurs with access to education, mentorship, and resources, we are helping create pathways to economic mobility and building a stronger, more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
For Drake State, the completion of the program is also about what comes next for the entrepreneurs and their businesses.
“Drake State is proud to support the next generation of innovators and business leaders,” said Dr. Lesley Shotts, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness at Drake State Community and Technical College. “We congratulate our RenueRedi graduates and look forward to seeing all they accomplish as they continue to grow their businesses and contribute to the economic vitality of our region.”
Sherri Blevins is a reporter for 256 Today.
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