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APPLY · 2027 COHORT

Only 25 seats. Built with intention.

Weeks
0
cases
0

We keep each ESA cohort deliberately small because the quality of the experience depends on who is in the room.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We are looking for founders, operators, aspiring entrepreneurs, and intrapreneurs who will come prepared, contribute to the discussion, and challenge their own thinking.

Take Your Seat
BEFORE YOU APPLY

Know What You're Committing To

ESA is designed for participants ready to show up prepared, contribute to the room, and commit to the full thirteen-week experience.
2027 Cohort
February 5 – May 7, 2027

2027 Academic Schedule

Format
13 Weeks · 26 Cases

In Person

Location
EO Austin

901 W 9th Street, Austin, TX 78703

Tuition

$2,599

Application Fee

$99

Tuition and Fee Policy

Tuition includes the full thirteen-week program, twenty-six case discussions, and course materials. The application fee is refunded in full if you are not accepted. If accepted, it is applied toward tuition.

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Know What You're Committing To

ESA is designed for participants ready to show up prepared, contribute to the room, and commit to the full thirteen-week experience.
2027 Cohort
February 5 – May 7, 2027

2027 Academic Schedule

Format
13 Weeks · 26 Cases

In Person

Location
EO Austin

901 W 9th Street, Austin, TX 78703

PRE-MATRICULATION
January 8 – February 4, 2027

Four weeks of self-directed coursework to prepare participants

Tuition

$2,599

Application Fee

$99

Tuition and Fee Policy

Tuition includes the full thirteen-week program, twenty-six case discussions, and course materials. The application fee is refunded in full if you are not accepted. If accepted, it is applied toward tuition.

Commit Early

The 2027 Founding Cohort

The 2027 Founding Cohort is limited to 25 participants. Complete your enrollment early to receive preferred tuition pricing.

Enroll by

October 31

$1,999

You save $600
Enroll by

November 20

$2,249

You save $350
Enroll by

December 4

$2,499

You save $100
Enroll

After December 4

$2,599

Full tuition, no discount

Take Your Seat

Complete the application form to apply for the 2027 ESA founding cohort.

Not Ready Yet?

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See the Socratic method in action before deciding.

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    FAQS

    Frequently Asked Questions

    ESA is for founders, owners, operators, aspiring entrepreneurs, and intrapreneurs serious about sharpening how they think and make decisions. We look for people willing to come prepared, contribute to the room, and have their thinking challenged.

    Tuition for the 2027 cohort is $2,599. Accepted participants who enroll by October 31, 2026, receive an early bird discount. A $99 application fee is applied toward tuition if accepted and refunded in full if not accepted.

    ESA is built on the Acton MBA curriculum and taught by experienced entrepreneurs who have built, led, and invested in real businesses. The format is entirely Socratic so there are no lectures and no theory for its own sake. You learn by taking a position, defending your thinking, and being challenged by faculty and peers.

    You will receive a Certificate of Completion for the Entrepreneurial Journey course.

    ESA intends to expand over time to offer the full curriculum based on the Acton MBA program, with the goal of allowing students to complete the full Acton curriculum through ESA. However, ESA does not intend to offer an accredited degree.

    That is intentional. Our students are primarily seeking the learning, skills, and experience itself. We believe the additional cost, administration, and bureaucracy required to operate as a degree-granting institution would add significant expense without providing enough additional value to justify that cost for our students.

    There is a $99 application fee. If you are not accepted, it is refunded in full. If you are accepted, it is applied toward tuition.
    Applications for the 2027 cohort close December 18, 2026, or earlier if the cohort is filled.
    Applications are reviewed by a member of the ESA faculty and/or champion group. Selected applicants will be invited to a brief conversation before a final admission decision is made.
    No. ESA is designed for founders, operators, aspiring entrepreneurs, and intrapreneurs. You may be building a business, running one, exploring entrepreneurship, or looking to think more entrepreneurially, lead change, and build new skills within your current role or organization. You do not need an impressive résumé, but you should have enough real-world experience to contribute meaningfully to the room.
    The cohort is deliberately kept to 25 seats. The case method works best when every participant is prepared, engaged, and expected to contribute.
    Yes. Pre-matriculation begins approximately 30 days before the first class and is designed to prepare you for the ESA experience. For the 2027 cohort, expect to begin around January 8. Additional details, including the required coursework and expected time commitment, will be provided before pre-matriculation begins.

    ESA meets Friday mornings for thirteen weeks from February through May 2027. Participants may meet for group case prep before the 7:00 AM start, followed by two case discussions through 10:00 AM. Plan for additional time each week to prepare cases in advance. Pre-matriculation begins approximately 30 days before the first class to prepare participants for the program.