Coppin State Launches BRIDGE Program for Women Entrepreneurs

The second cohort of the Business Resource Information, Development and Guidance Ecosystem (BRIDGE) Program has been announced, giving women entrepreneurs in Maryland a structured leadership and financial development program. With the assistance of TEDCO, the program aims to build their leadership capacity, enhance their financial preparedness and equip them with knowledge to access business loans, both debt and equity, for expansion.

The eight-week long program will take place from September 16 to November 4, 2026 at Coppin State University, with women entrepreneurs from all over Maryland participating who want to scale up their businesses and establish long-term financial sustainability. The cohort will end with the participants presenting their integrated financial action plans which will showcase the strategies they have developed during the program.

Key Highlights

• Coppin State University launches second BRIDGE cohort for women entrepreneurs.
• Eight-week program builds leadership, financial readiness, and funding access.
• WELD curriculum combines workshops, coaching, and practical business planning.

The program introduces the concept of a cohort-based curriculum called WELD (Women Entrepreneurs Leading with Dollars and Decisions) to build financial confidence, leadership skills and strategic decision making in women entrepreneurs. Participants will learn hands-on how to work with business finances and budgets, preparing for funding opportunities, and how to make informed leadership decisions through workshops led by experts, coaching sessions and practical assignments.

Three-hour workshops are held each week to offer practical lessons, discussion and interactive activities focusing on leadership and financial development. Participants will also get individual sessions or small group coaching from subject matter experts so they can put what they learn in class to use in their business. In between sessions, entrepreneurs will engage in hands-on exercises like analyzing financial statements, updating their business plans, enhancing leadership strategies, and preparing for bank and investor meetings.

Ann-Marie Waterman, Chief of Staff at Coppin State University, stressed the need for collaboration to move the field forward in the context of women-led businesses, noting that such partnerships provide valuable opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

“Collaboration is a key component in providing women entrepreneurs with opportunities to make a meaningful impact, and Coppin State University is proud to offer the second cohort in IWEE's BRIDGE program, a place where participants can build their leadership, connections with others, and tools to support their business growth and economic impact,” she added.

The program also continues IWEE's efforts to tackle one of the largest hurdles for women entrepreneurs — access to capital. IWEE Interim Executive Director Teresa Payne-Nunn says that the program aims to provide a hands-on understanding of finances and to prepare participants to be investors.

“The BRIDGE Program at Coppin State is an example of how IWEE is dedicated to increasing opportunities for women entrepreneurs by addressing historical barriers they face to accessing funding for growth. This will link women to useful tools and expert advice for attracting investments and long-term success”, Teresa said.

Dr. Tammira Lucas, Interim Director of the Center for Strategic Entrepreneurship at Coppin State University, added to this vision saying that financial empowerment starts early for entrepreneurs, before they get to the point of approaching investors or lenders.

“Access to capital starts before the entrepreneur enters a bank, it begins with the confidence to lead, the knowledge to make strategic capital decisions and the vision for growth. WELD and the BRIDGE Program are giving women entrepreneurs the tools, relationships and strategies to make their businesses profitable, enrich their communities, and leave a lasting legacy”, Tammira said.

The project reflects the growing focus on women's entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, leadership competitiveness and access to credit, helping to nurture the next generation of women entrepreneurs in creating sustainable businesses and driving overall economic development.