NATCHEZ — Got an idea for a business, but you’re not sure your family and friends are the best ones to vet it?

Or are you sure of your idea, but need startup capital?

Maybe you’re just looking for advice on how to launch a small business.

Whatever the situation an entrepreneur may find himself or herself in, Alcorn State University and Natchez Inc. are looking for those entrepreneurs the weekend of Nov. 7 to 9.

ASU will host those entrepreneurs for Startup Weekend Natchez on those dates at its Natchez campus’ school of business. The event was originally scheduled earlier in the year, but had to be moved for logistical reasons.

Startup weekend is similar in concept to the show Shark Tank, ASU’s Vice-President for Educational and Community Partnerships Ruth Nichols said, and is meant to ultimately bolster the local and regional economy by encouraging rural entrepreneurship.

During the first part of the weekend, participants take their ideas for a business and — with the help of professional businesspeople acting as mentors — try to hone them into a workable business models.

“It is an intensive 54-hour session that covers all of the strategies and the techniques and plans that are necessary to start a successful business,” Nichols said. “There are very highly skilled mentors there who can advise the participants on their successes and failures, so there is just a wealth of guidance to this whole weekend for the entrepreneurs.”

At the end of the weekend, the participants will take their refined business plans and pitch it to a panel of judges.

“During the Sunday afternoon presentation, their ideas and presentations are judged, and in most cases there are investors there watching the presentations,” Nichols said.

“If they pick out a business they are interested in and want to invest in, that is a real exciting open door for those entrepreneurs.”

Former Startup Weekend participants from other areas will also be in attendance.

“There are some really dynamic examples of people who have come out on top at the Startup Weekend, and they can look back and see that the startup weekend was the experience they needed to get their business successful,” Nichols said.

For those who need a place to stay, the ASU dorms will be available, Nichols said.

The fee for participation in the weekend is $35, with a rate of $17.50 for students.

For more information, call Natchez Inc. at 601-445-0288 and Nichols at 601-870-6000.

Registration can also be completed online at natchez.startupweekend.org.