LEWISTON — New Ventures Maine is offering a multiple-week course targeted at individuals considering starting a business or who are in the early phases of business operation. The course is tuition-free and is limited to 15 students.

“Venturing Forth – Business Planning for Entrepreneurs” is a 12-week, one-day-a-week business planning course that will cover topics such as how to identify and reach target customers, identify competition, develop marketing strategies, record-keeping, cash flow projections, taxes, financing and legal considerations. At the end of the course, participants will have completed a business plan. There are also three follow-up sessions to provide networking and support as business owners move forward.

All classes will be held at the Univeristy of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn Campus, 51 Westminster St., Lewiston. The course orientation session will be from 9:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, March 7. Normal class time will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will start Wednesday, March 14, continuing weekly on Wednesdays until May 30.

Since this is a very popular course, there is a multiple-step process in order to attend. Participants are required to submit an application by March 2, attend the orientation on March 7 and participate in a 30-minute informal conversation with staff. These meetings will occur within a day of the orientation session.

Course instructor is Karleen Andrews, micro-enterprise specialist for the Western Region. Guest speakers will discuss topics including social media, legal structures, tax accounting and lending.

Register online at newventuresmaine.org. For more information, contact Karleen at [email protected] or call her at 207-557-1885.