Developing Entrepreneurs Through Business Development Centers: Bdc Rwanda as a Prototype

This paper describes the development and testing of a comprehensive, replicable model for training and supporting entrepreneurs who want to start and grow ethical businesses that will transform their communities and nations. After a brief review of the power of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to create jobs and drive innovation, the paper describes the prototype Regent University Center for Entrepreneurship (RCE) developed in Rwanda. The results—50% of graduates run businesses, several of which are becoming industry leaders—demonstrate the effectiveness of the program. RCE is replicating the results through licensing—currently in seven countries with a dozen others in conversation.