BATON ROUGE, LA. (NBC33) — Louisiana Technology Park's class for rising entrepreneurs, Tech Park U, is accepting applications until December 9, for the limited number of seats in its 2012 class. The eight-week program begins January 10, 2011 and provides promising technology entrepreneurs the education and facilities to jump-start their ideas into a business.

In its sixth year, the program has brought entrepreneurs from all over South Louisiana, including the greater Baton Rouge area as well as New Orleans and Mandeville. Notable Tech Park U graduates include current Tech Park members, Ultix Technologies and Cellcontrol.

Applicants must show their willingness and desire to turn their tech dream into a reality. Once accepted, each entrepreneur or team pays $200 for the program. This includes office space, support services, and office resources including their own cubicle with phone (this includes long distance services, voice mail and call forwarding), high-speed Internet access, email, secretarial support, free use of fax, printers and copy machines, and 24-7 secure access office and meeting space, for the entirety of the program. Students with a valid school ID, will be able to take advantage of the program at a reduced rate of $100.

The class will meet every Monday evening from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to discuss their progress, focus on writing their business plan, and listen toguest speakers from the Baton Rouge area. At the end of the program, the members will compete in a business plan writing competition, where the winner will receive a $2,000 grant and possible acceptance into the Louisiana Technology Park's business incubator.

Applicants can apply here and will be notified of acceptance by January 3, 2012.