Stop dreaming about the side hustle. Build it.
This program is an 8-week hybrid Entrepreneurship Sprint for adult learners, offered through Windward Community College (University of Hawaiʻi System) workforce development program and Blue Startups.

Led by Alexi Drouin, the sprint combines weekly online sessions, hands-on assignments, and AI tools to help you talk to customers, build a live website, and bring a real product to market.

Over 8 weeks (45 hours), you will move from concept to a launched business and pitch your business venture and present your idea to a panel of founders and investors from Hawaiʻi's tech ecosystem. No boring lectures—just high-impact, hands-on building.

The Blueprint

• Work Smarter: Master AI tools to test your ideas and generate marketing content fast.
• Get Connected: Build your network and pitch your final project directly to real founders and investors from Hawaiʻi’s tech scene.
• Flex Schedule: A 45-hour hybrid sprint designed to fit your life, powered by Windward CC and Blue Startups. 

This is a guided self-study course, laptop recommended for those age 18+ (HS diploma/GED).

Course Format

• Tuesdays → Weekly Online Sessions — Videos, materials, lectures, and learning on ideation, development, go-to-market, and presenting.
• Thursdays → Classes on Campus (TBA) — Plus weekly office hours for 1-on-1 time with instructors and mentors and guided self-study work.

Credentials
Upon successful completion you will receive :

• Windward Community College — Entrepreneurship Certificate of Professional Development
• Blue Academy — Certificate of Completion (LinkedIn)

Don't just learn entrepreneurship—actually launch your venture.

Dates: October 15–December 3, 2026
Meets: Tuesdays & Thursdays (online/in-person hybrid)
Cost: Free* ($900 value)

*Must successfully complete application process.

This 15-week dual-track course merges Workplace Essentials and CompTIA AI Prompting Essentials (CompCert) to prepare learners for the human + digital workplace. Students gain practical communication, collaboration, and self-management skills while learning to use AI tools ethically and effectively to support productivity, creativity, and problem-solving.

COURSE FORMAT

• Tuesdays, 6-7:30 pm → Human Skills Lab: interpersonal, communication, and career-readiness skills.
• Thursdays, 6-7:30 pm → AI Prompting Essentials: hands-on AI labs, CompTIA modules, and applied projects.

CREDENTIALS EARNED

• Workplace Ready Certificate of Professional Development
• CompTIA AI Prompting Essentials CompCert

REQUIRED TECHNOLOGY

• Active email address per participant (no sharing)
• Access to desktop or laptop computer
• Access to reliable high speed internet (min. 512k)
• Device with camera, microphone & speaker for video conferencing
• Most recent updated browsers

Dates: May 12 - August 27, 2026
Time: Tuesdays & Thursdays | 6:00–7:30 PM
Meets: Live-online via Zoom
Cost:  $800

If you have ever thought about starting a small business out of your own home but were not sure where to start, this class is the right place for you to begin the journey. Learn how to create the business plan you always wanted to write. In this 8 week online course you will create a business plan that addresses the fundamental elements necessary when planning to start any small business. Gain insight on topics such as ownership structure, product development, pricing, supplier relations, customer, marketing and more.

REQUIRED TECHNOLOGY

• Active email address per participant (no sharing)
• Access to desktop or laptop computer
• Access to reliable high speed internet (min. 512k)
• Device with camera, microphone & speaker for video conferencing
• Most recent updated browsers

Dates:tbd
Meets: Live-online via Zoom
Time:tbd
Cost:  tbd

Thank you for your interest!
To stay informed about upcoming opportunities or would like to schedule a consultation for group training, please complete the INTEREST FORM. We’ll keep you updated with important information and next steps.

This course is designed to introduce business professionals to analytical tools and techniques for better decision making, thus enabling them to ask the right business questions and come up with smarter solutions to marketing challenges.

Technology Requirements:

• Access to desktop or laptop computer (laptop loaner may be available upon request)
• Access to reliable high-speed Internet connection
• Able to connect to class meetings through Zoom
• Access to updated web browsers: Chrome, Safari, etc.

COURSE DATES:
Dates: tbd
Days & Time:  tbd
Cost: tbd
Meets:  Live-online via Zoom

Thank you for your interest!
To stay informed about upcoming opportunities or would like to schedule a consultation for group training, please complete the INTEREST FORM. We’ll keep you updated with important information and next steps.

Don't just be curious about the AI revolution – start exploring it responsibly! Learn the foundational skills of AI interaction and prompt crafting, including the basics of prompt engineering, ethics, and privacy to start using AI in your business and personal life with confidence and integrity.

This class is perfect for:

• Anyone curious about AI and its potential applications
• Beginners with no prior experience in AI or prompt engineering
• Individuals looking to improve their productivity for work or home while exploring new ways of working ethically and responsibly with Gen AI

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS:

• Access to desktop or laptop computer (laptop loaner may be available upon request)
• Access to reliable high-speed Internet connection
• Able to connect to class meetings through Zoom
• Access to web browsers: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.

COURSE DATE:
Date: tbd
Days & Time:  tbd, 4 hrs.
Meets:  Online, live on Zoom
Cost: tbd

"Neva is highly knowledgeable, and I felt comfortable seeking guidance. The course duration was perfect, balancing instruction, application, and collaboration. I’m excited to share my experience and encourage others to take the class." - Tanya F.

"Thanks to Neva's engaging teaching style and practical guidance, I gained confidence in navigating AI. Better understanding AI and how to optimize its use gave me the confidence to avoid feeling lost in an ever-evolving world." - Eva Marie W.

Thank you for your interest!
To stay informed about upcoming opportunities or would like to schedule a consultation for group training, please complete the INTEREST FORM. We’ll keep you updated with important information and next steps.

This course provides you with skills and knowledge to use Google sheets and slides in the workplace. This is an introductory course that provides the basics in how to navigate Google Drive while becoming a competent user of sheets & slides with hands-on experiences.

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS:

• Access to desktop or laptop computer (laptop loaner may be available upon request)
• Access to reliable high-speed Internet connection
• Able to connect to class meetings through Zoom
• Access to web browsers: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.
• Must have a personal G-mail account

COURSE DATE:
Dates: tbd
Days & Time:  tbd
Cost: tbd
Meets:  Live-online via Zoom

This class will provide an overview of the basics of design and terminology that are used in the graphical world and how those skills can be transferred into practical and handy small business operations. For example, using graphic design elements to create banners, flyers, logos, business cards, t-shirts, and images for web site and social media platforms.  

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS:

• Access to desktop or laptop computer (laptop loaner may be available upon request)
• Access to reliable high-speed Internet connection
• Able to connect to class meetings through Zoom
• Access to web browsers: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

• Learn about graphic design and how it can be used in your small business
• Understand the basics of design and terminology
• Learn how to prepare design files for print and digital
• Use web-based applications to create designs for a variety of projects

COURSE DATES:
Dates: tbd
Days & Time:  tbd
Cost:tbd
Meets:  Live-online via Zoom

The Introduction to Web Design course will equip students with an understanding of the various elements of web design and the necessary skill sets to create a free, customized website. This course was designed to help beginner students understand how to research, plan and set-up a website. By the end of the course, students will have developed a website and will feel confident navigating through web design platforms.

CLASS OBJECTIVES:

• Understand what web design is and know basic web design terminology
• Be familiar with what domains and web hosting provide
• Be able to obtain free or licensed images for web use
• Know what kinds of websites are available for them
• Be familiar with what kinds of information websites generally have
• Understand how to research and brainstorm ideas for their websites
• Know how to sketch out wireframes on paper and use free online wireframe mock-up tools
• Know how to edit text, images, navigate through a Wordpress page builder and create one full page on a more advanced version of Wordpress
• Feel confident with free website builders and be able to set-up a basic, free working website.

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS:

• Access to desktop or laptop computer (laptop loaner may be available upon request)
• Access  to reliable high-speed Internet connection
• Able to connect to class meetings through Zoom
• Access to updated web browsers: Chrome, etc.
• Sketchbook/paper + pencil/pen

Dates: tbd
Day & Time: tbd
Meets:  Live-online via Zoom
Cost: tbd

The Intermediate Web Design course will help students understand the various elements of Wordpress and equip them with the necessary skill sets to create a customized Wordpress website. This course was designed to help students who already have a basic level understanding of website design. Students in this course will be using Wordpress only to design their websites. Students will also use GoDaddy to obtain domain names and hosting. By the end of the course, students will have developed a Wordpress website and will be able to navigate through the back-end and front-end of the Wordpress platform.

PREREQUISITES:

• Students must have previously taken an Introduction to Web Design course and/or have a basic level understanding of creating websites and web page design
• Access to desktop or laptop computer (laptop loaner may be available upon request)
• Access to reliable high-speed internet connection
• Able to connect to class meetings through Zoom
• Access to the web browsers: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.
• Must be able to purchase a domain and web hosting with GoDaddy for wordpress.org DURING the course (Approximate cost: $15)
• Students can use this link to research domain/hosting pricing for a Managed Wordpress account with Godaddy: https://www.godaddy.com/promos/coupon-promo-codes COURSE

The Intermediate Web Design course will help students understand and use the various elements of WordPress to create a customized WordPress website. This course is for students who already have a basic understanding of creating websites and web page design. Students will also use GoDaddy to obtain domain names and a hosting service. By the end of the course, students will have developed a WordPress website and will be able to navigate through the back-end and front-end of the WordPress platform.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

• Understand what Wordpress is and know basic Wordpress terminology
• Be familiar with design elements & current design/advertising/marketing trends (visual hierarchy, call to action, typography, layout, color, images, etc.)
• Be able to purchase a domain and web hosting with Wordpress
• Understand how to research, brainstorm ideas and create sitemaps and wireframes for their websites
• Understand all the settings within the back-end Wordpress menu tabs (ex: dashboard, posts, portfolio, galleries, media, pages, comments, contact, appearance, plugins, users, tools, settings) 
• Know how to choose a theme and able to customize text, images and plugins, edit pages, create/add in custom graphics, add social media links and navigate through Wordpress page builders
• Create a landing, home, about and contact page
• Create and manage a blog page, set-up and manage an online shop (Woo-Commerce plugin via Wordpress), create an image gallery/portfolio, add testimonials, etc.
• Be able to purchase, set-up, design and create a professional, working website using Wordpress.org

COURSE DATES:
Dates: tbd
Days & Time:  tbd
Meets:  Live-online via Zoom
Cost: tbd

Learn the basic functionalities in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook desktop. The course will cover options and possibilities of office applications to increase your productivity in the workplace. This class meets with the instructor twice a week for 2 hours each meeting, and also requires 3 hours per week of outside of class time work.

REQUIRED TECHNOLOGY:

• Desktop or laptop computer (laptop loaner may be available upon request)
• Access to  reliable high-speed Internet connection
• Able to connect to class meetings through Zoom
• Must have Microsoft Word and PowerPoint applications installed on device, or Microsoft 365.

COURSE DATES:
Dates:  tbd
Day & Time:  tbd
Meets:  Live-online via Zoom
Cost: tbd

This class is an ideal start for business owners and people new to marketing who need to learn the basics of Internet marketing. Students will learn how to market online, and even more importantly, how to determine what results they are getting via data analytics. Results such as the effectiveness of reaching target markets, understanding where the qualified prospects are, and how they are engaged because of their marketing efforts. This class includes overview of the various social media platforms, search engine optimization, data analytics, contents development, and more.

CLASS OBJECTIVES:

• Determine how their Internet marketing strategy fits with their overall marketing plan
• Apply techniques to influence and engage with their target market
• Weigh out the value of using a distribution service for e-mail marketing campaigns
• Get started with search engine optimization
• Use online advertising to boost their marketing results
• Adjust their Internet marketing plan based on metrics and reporting

REQUIRED TECHNOLOGY:

• Desktop or laptop computer (laptop loaner may be available upon request)
• Access to  reliable high-speed Internet connection
• Able to connect to class meetings through Zoom
• Access to updated web browsers: Chrome, etc.

COURSE DATES:
Dates: tbd
Day & Time:  tbd
Meets:  Live-online via Zoom
Cost: tbd

Thank you for your interest!
To stay informed about upcoming opportunities or would like to schedule a consultation for group training, please complete the INTEREST FORM. We’ll keep you updated with important information and next steps.

Alexi Drouin is a Hawaiʻi-based entrepreneur, investor, and educator with 20+ years of hands-on technical founder experience in marketing, operations, and leadership. He serves as Assistant Director of Hawaii Angels, leads Program Operations at Blue Startups, teaches as an Adjunct Professor in the College of Business at Hawaii Pacific University (HPU), organizes the East Meets West conference, and is an Ambassador for Hawaii Tech Week. He is currently working with the University of Hawaiʻi (UH), Windward Community College (WCC), and Hawaiʻi Pacific University (HPU) to build an entrepreneurship curriculum for Blue Academy. Alexi is passionate about AI in education, accelerating startups, and showcasing Hawaiʻi's innovation ecosystem to the world.