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 karleen.andrews@maine.edu or call her at 207-557-1885.