Start Smart!!

Turn Your Business Idea Into a Plan

Join BiGAUSTN’s 5-week virtual course designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage business owners build a strong foundation, create a plan, and move forward with confidence.

REGISTRATION CLOSES MAY 2ND. THE SPRING COHORT BEGINS MAY 5TH. DON’T MISS IT!!

5 Weeks | Tuesdays & Thursdays | 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Virtual via Microsoft Teams | Tuition: $138

Reserve Your Spot

Community-Driven Pricing

At BiGAUSTIN, we're committed to making quality business education accessible to everyone. Due to the current economic climate, we've reduced tuition from $199 to just $138. As a non-profit driven by community values, we believe financial barriers should never stand in the way of your entrepreneurial dreams. A single session with a private business coach runs $150-$300/hour. Start Smart gives you 20 hours of live expert instruction for less than what most coaches charge for one hour. Tuition assistance available -cost should never be a barrier.

Need additional support? Tuition assistance is available for eligible participants.

You Have the Idea. Now Let’s Build the Plan.

Starting a business can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time. You may have a strong idea but still need help organizing your next steps, understanding what comes first, and building a plan you can actually use. Start Smart is designed to help you move from uncertainty to action with practical guidance, live support, and a clear path forward.

Join the 1,300+ entrepreneurs who have built their business foundations through BiGAUSTIN's Start Smart program.

Enroll in Start Smart

What You’ll Gain:

  • Clear Next Steps

    Learn the key steps to start and grow your business with more clarity and direction.

  • Business Planning Tools

    Build a stronger foundation and begin creating a business plan you can actually use.

  • Live Expert Guidance

    Ask questions, get answers, and learn from an experienced business professional.

  • Entrepreneur Community

    Connect with other entrepreneurs who are building, learning, and growing alongside you.

"Before Start Smart, I had an idea but no direction. After 5 weeks, I had a business plan and the confidence to use it." -- Lucy, Austin/Tech

— Start Smart Alumni

Why BiGAUSTIN / Why This Course

This course is designed for people who want more than inspiration. It is built for entrepreneurs who want practical guidance, live support, and a stronger path forward.

Expert-Led and Practical
This course is led by an experienced business professional who understands the real challenges entrepreneurs face.

Live and Interactive
Join real-time sessions, ask questions, and get practical feedback in a supportive virtual setting.

Built for Small Business
Start Smart is designed specifically for aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage small business owners.

Backed by BiGAUSTIN
BiGAUSTIN has supported entrepreneurs and small businesses for more than 30 years through education, consulting, and access to resources.

Register for Start Smart
Course details page showing schedule, format, duration, and instructor information for a virtual course conducted via Microsoft Teams, scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, lasting five weeks with ten sessions, taught by Daniel Frunza.
A webpage asking if you need help with tuition support, including contact information for Melissa Hepner and Andronn Hamlett.
Melissa Hepner melissa@bigaustin.org
Andronn Hamlett andronn@bigaustin.org
Enroll Now

Complete the form to reserve your spot or join the interest list.

A member of the BiGAUSTIN team will follow up with next steps and course information.

  • Once you register for the event you will receive an email with details to access the webinar.

    The invitation email or message will include a link to the meeting

  • The virtual workshop is hosted through the Microsoft Teams platform. If you're not familiar with TEAMS, we encourage you to watch this QuickStart video

  • Joining Microsoft Teams is always free and you don't need an account to attend sessions.

    If you don’t have a Teams account, select Join as a guest and enter your name to join the meeting as a guest. Depending on how the meeting was set up, you may need to sign in to an account that was authorized for the meeting; for details, see Join a meeting without a Teams account.

    If you have a Teams account, select Sign in and join to join with access to the meeting chat and more. Depending on the organizer’s settings, you may join the meeting right away or go to the lobby where someone else can admit you.

  • Teams mobile apps let you join webinars from anywhere using your iOS, Android, and Windows devices. Learn more.

Frequently asked questions