The Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corp. has unveiled its Transformative Entrepreneurship Startup Academy, a virtual workshop designed for underserved entrepreneurs and small business owners. The eight-week course will launch publicly on Feb. 19 in collaboration with professors in USC’s Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. PNC Bank and Verizon helped finance the project.

“Entrepreneurs in historically overlooked communities have unique challenges that often become its own obstacles,” said Kecia Washington, the board chair for the Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corp. “We are proud to provide TESA to help overcome them and enhance their opportunities to succeed.”

Economic development corps operate as nonprofit organizations offering small-business loans, business-development training and networking events for specific geographic areas.

The Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corp. was founded in 1979 and has generated more than $60 million in development projects. The transformational entrepreneurship startup academy will operate on a biannual cohort basis, with classes in both English and Spanish. According to the academy’s registration page, participation is free.

“This eight-week virtual workshop is truly transforming, as underserved entrepreneurs will embark on a transformative journey that will turn their aspirations into tangible realities,” said Quentin Strode, president and chief executive of the economic development corporation.

Strode was named the chief executive of the organization last April, and has since launched a new business source center in Watts as well as workshops in coordination with the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office and the Commerce Department.