Everything you need to know to become a FastTrac affiliate
As a Kauffman FastTrac® affiliate…
As a Kauffman FastTrac® affiliate, you will help entrepreneurs in your community access the tools and knowledge they need to launch their businesses by facilitating coursework in a 8-16 week format to help them build their business plan. Affiliates can determine the best delivery method for their entrepreneurial community: in-person, virtual, or hybrid. FastTrac affiliates are expected to hold at least two FastTrac cohorts, or classes, and enroll at least 20 participants annually. Learn more about the Kauffman FastTrac program
You’ll help entrepreneurs to…
- Write a comprehensive business plan.
- Determine the unique features and benefits of their products and services.
- Build their company’s brand and marketing strategies.
- Identify the steps required to achieve profitability.
- Discover potential solutions for funding.
- Prepare for a successful launch.
Becoming a FastTrac affiliate
Learn about the required roles, onboarding, training, and support for affiliate organizations.
Roles
Organizations are required to identify on their applications who will play the roles of program director, course manager (optional), and facilitator(s).
Onboarding & Training
Onboarding typically takes 60 to 90 days and is held four times per year. Attendance at all onboarding requirements is expected before organizations are fully authorized to start classes.
Support
The Kauffman FastTrac team offers a variety of support, including toolkits/webinars, learning platform support, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
FastTrac affiliates are organizations and individuals located in the United States that serve early-stage entrepreneurs in their community. Currently, FastTrac affiliates include Chambers of Commerce, Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOS), universities, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), city/state entities, contractors, libraries, Women’s Business Centers (WBCs), incubators, and accelerators.
Explore our list of all active affiliates, or take a look at affiliates offering public FastTrac courses.
No, Kauffman FastTrac does not provide funding for affiliates.
FastTrac affiliate applicants are charged a one-time $200 application fee. There are no additional fees associated with being a FastTrac affiliate.
Each affiliate is different, but the goal is for affiliates to offer their first cohort within 60 to 90 days of being accepted as an affiliate. In that time, the program director will go through the onboarding process, and at least one facilitator will need to have graduated from Virtual Facilitator Training.
Canvas is the learning management system (LMS) that is used to host the FastTrac course. Each FastTrac affiliate has their own account in Canvas where they can create courses, enroll participants, and host discussion among participants.
Yes, for-profit businesses or consultants can become FastTrac affiliates. However, if consulting with a for-profit entrepreneur support organization (ESO), the Kauffman FastTrac team request additional information about the ESO for evaluation purposes.
These requirements are set for all FastTrac affiliates and cannot be altered. All active FastTrac affiliates are required to participate in the Annual Affiliate Review call with the Kauffman FastTrac team to review metrics, address challenges, and provide support.
Each course created in Canvas, regardless of whether it’s in English or Spanish, is considered a cohort. So, if an affiliate offers one cohort in English and one in Spanish, it’s considered two cohorts.
The Kauffman FastTrac team is continually reviewing and adding to the benefits offered to FastTrac affiliates. Currently, affiliate support includes FastTrac branding and marketing toolkits, Canvas support, and additional webinars and trainings to help affiliates offer best-in-class FastTrac courses to their entrepreneurs.
To learn more about becoming a FastTrac affiliate, we invite you to join one of our informational webinars.
Register through Calendly here
Or, send us your questions via the form below, and a Kauffman FastTrac associate will be in contact shortly.
Have more questions
about what to expect?
Explore our frequently asked questions or send us a message through the form below about our affiliate program.
If you are ready to apply, complete the application form here.