Bank of America is expanding the Bank of America Institute for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Cornell University.
The online business certificate program helps women entrepreneurs to obtain new skills to build successful businesses, while creating a valuable network.
Since its inception in 2018, the program has supported 10,000 students, including those who will complete the course in 2021.
In response to this demand, Bank of America has increased its commitment to support a total of 20,000 places.
Coursework includes creating a venture, finding funding, leadership, legal, product development, communications, and negotiations.
Anne Finucane (pictured), vice-chairman, Bank of America, said: “We developed the Bank of America Institute for Women's Entrepreneurship at Cornell in response to feedback we received from our partnerships with non-profits, women's organizations and our own clients.
“Based on the early success of the program and the thousands of women who enrolled and have completed the program, we are committing to an expanded effort."
Approximately 40% of Bank of America’s small business clients are women; women run one-third of small businesses in the US.
The institute's program director Kirsten Barker said: “One key advantage of our online courses is the presence of teaching assistants who provide real feedback to the students. While delivering world-class business education was the main driver of this program, we have found that the relationships formed with instructors and fellow classmates are a powerful takeaway that continue to support students long after they complete the online coursework."
