After operating a successful BDC in Rwanda since August, 2010, Regent Center for Entrpepreneurship (RCE) decided to expand by licensing the model. RCE has been working with Versys Consultants and Servicesin Bangalore, India since Fall 2011 to develop the license agreement and materials, to train four facilitators, and to coach the Bangalore team through the start up. John Mulford, RCE Director, traveled to Bangalore for the launch. While there, he conducted information sessions, spoke to the class, and trained three local facilitators.
The BDC is already building momentum through word of mouth and class visits. Several Christian business owners visited the BDC class during the first week and said they want to be involved. Jonathan Iverson and John Mulford visited a local college to explore possibilities for cooperation. The director brought two of his marketing people to the class that night. Both want to enroll in the next cohort. The BDC’s action learning approach appeals to Indian entrepreneurs, but they have to see it to understand it, since it is so different from traditional Indian education.

We were very pleased to see that the program works well in another culture.