GMA-UNLV Black Fire entrepreneur boot camp now open to UNLV students and alumni, with casino experts as mentors

GMA Consulting and UNLV's (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) Black Fire Innovation have announced that the upcoming Entrepreneur Boot Camp will begin on February 28, 2024. The program is now open to current UNLV students, alumni, and interested entrepreneurs at no cost.
 
The collaboration between GMA and Black Fire originally began on October 17, 2023, with a "pitch day," featuring four start-ups from the UNLV Incubator powered by Hughes Center. GMA specializes in gaming, entertainment, sports, and hospitality research and consulting. The boot camp initiative aims to guide participants through the comprehensive start-up process.

The in-person multi-day boot camp, held exclusively at the UNLV Incubator at Hughes Center, will take the form of an interactive workshop. Participants can expect hands-on experience and valuable insights into the world of entrepreneurship. As per a  statement, the program aims to foster a collaborative learning environment where participants can engage in meaningful discussions, ask questions, and receive mentorship from seasoned professionals who have navigated the challenges of building successful ventures. 

"After a very successful pitch day, we are thrilled to move forward on the next step of our strategic partnership with UNLV's Black Fire Innovation in launching this joint boot camp initiative," said Seth Schorr, GMA Consulting Founding Partner and Executive-in-Residence at UNLV. "Entrepreneurship is a journey filled with highs and lows, and through this program, we aim to provide a roadmap that not only highlights the path to success but also equips participants with the necessary skills to overcome obstacles commonly faced in the start-up landscape." 

"We believe that this joint initiative will serve as a catalyst for fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among our students.  By combining GMA Consulting's expertise with UNLV's commitment to providing cutting-edge educational opportunities, we are creating an unparalleled experience for aspiring entrepreneurs," Dr. Robert Rippee, Executive Director of Black Fire Innovation and the UNLV Incubator powered by Hughes Center, said.

In addition to Seth Schorr, fellow GMA Consulting Founding Partners Matthew Chilton, Steve Gallaway, Josh Swissman, Kit Szybala, and Seth Young have also committed to participate in the program.  Aspiring entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to learn from leaders with direct and diverse experience in the start-up space. 

With nearly 30 years of experience in the casino industry, Schorr will offer international casino and entrepreneurial expertise to the program, while Chilton will teach participants all facets of operations, including research, development, evaluation and implementation of new products, services, and technology. Gallaway's areas of expertise include casino, hotel and integrated resorts feasibility studies, operational reviews, due diligence, development, and marketing analysis. Swissman, an accomplished marketing executive and Managing Director of GMA, will discuss his successful track record of developing ambitious strategies to elevate profit by implementing loyalty program technology and continuous improvement initiatives while Szybala – also a Managing Director of GMA – will discuss feasibility studies, due diligence assignments, strategic planning assessments, strategic advisory engagements, and market assessments. Young, a serial entrepreneur and internationally known interactive gaming expert, will provide insight via his career as a leader in strategy, innovation, and operations. 

The boot camp will cover various aspects of entrepreneurship, including ideation, market research, business model development, funding strategies, and effective team collaboration.  By the end of the program, participants will not only have a foundational understanding of the entrepreneurial ecosystem but will also have honed the skills necessary to transform their innovative ideas into thriving businesses, the statement added.