Greater Louisville Inc. opened applications for the second cohort of its Power to Prosper Minority Business Accelerator. The program offers entrepreneurs access to training and resources to scale their businesses. The accelerator, which first launched in January 2021 and graduated its first cohort in December, is designed for minority-owned, mid-sized businesses owners who want to take their business to the next level. Through a hands-on, cohort-style program, business owners will obtain the necessary knowledge, resources, and networks for their businesses to scale.“We are excited to build on the success of our first Power to Prosper cohort and welcome a new group of businesses who are eager to grow their presence in our regional economy.” said Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, president and CEO of GLI. “Based on feedback from our first group, this program provides invaluable training in areas such as finance, marketing and advertising and also helps many businesses get their foot in the door at major corporations for potential contracts.”Valued at $15,000 per student, but free for participants, the business accelerator will include training in business development strategies, strategic planning, financial management skills, marketing/sales, human resources, and how to access capital. The program will begin in early May, with graduation in December.“The Power to Prosper program gave me so many resources to grow my business and, best of all, it was completely free. While it was a major time commitment, inside and outside the regular class sessions, it has already paid major dividends for my business. I would encourage any business owner who is serious about growing their business to sign up for this program. I guarantee the amount of work you put in will pale in comparison to the growth you experience in your business,” said Lameca Mickens-Yankey, a graduate of the program and owner of Vivid Imaginations Child Care Center, LLC.GLI will once again partner with national consulting firm, Interise, as the content partner of the program. The foundation for the program’s curriculum is Interise’s “Streetwise™ MBA’, which is a nationally recognized and award-winning program, created to advance small businesses using a peer-learning method.“Our participating businesses are a vital part of the Greater Louisville economy, and we know that they have, and continue to, face barriers on their path to growth,” said Dana Johnson, senior director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at GLI. “GLI, through the extraordinary support of our investors, is thrilled to offer this free opportunity for Black, women, LGBTQ+, veteran, and disabled entrepreneurs to scale their businesses, build wealth, and become major contributors to our regional economy.” Applications will be open February 1 through April 1 and rolling interviews will be conducted as applications are submitted. The program is open to minority-business owners who:
- Employ at least one full-time employee, besides the owner(s)
- Been in business for at least two years
- Commit to attend class and complete mandatory assignments and program surveys, as requested
Funding for the program was made possible by the Papa Johns Foundation for Building Community, and it was created as part of the inclusion pillar of GLI’s Now Louisville strategic plan which received funding from numerous Greater Louisville businesses. Humana is the lead investor for the NOW Louisville plan and Thorntons is the initial lead investor for the inclusion pillar.To learn more about the Power to Prosper Minority Business Accelerator and access the application, click here.
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