Empowering Community Members to Create and Grow Successful Businesses
The Entrepreneurship and Adversity Program is an initiative under the Urban Poverty and Business Initiative, a collaboration among universities and non-profit organizations working together to help individuals in under served communities start and grow successful businesses.
We are currently running the program in San Diego and you can watch the video below to see a glimpse of the 2021 San Diego Pilot Program.
We are currently running the program in San Diego and you can watch the video below to see a glimpse of the 2021 San Diego Pilot Program.
Goals
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Foster the creation of new, profitable ventures by those facing economic or other disadvantages |
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Work with community members on the development of both the person as an entrepreneur and the business as a successful venture |
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Assist existing small businesses owned by those with disadvantage in becoming sustainable and growing |
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Identify and share best practices in poverty alleviation through entrepreneurship |
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Measure and track the development and performance of entrepreneurs and their ventures based on program participation |
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Celebrate entrepreneurial achievements of those facing or overcoming adversity |
Our 6 Steps to Success
- Training Programs: Community members participate in a six-week boot-camp, that introduces the basic tools, concepts, and principles relevant to launching and growing a successful venture. The boot-camp is designed for people with little to no resources or background.
- One-on-One Consulting: Following the training, a consulting initiative pairs faculty, graduate students, and other community partners with the entrepreneurs to work one-on-one solving particular problems.
- Mentoring: Participants receive mentorship from successful entrepreneurs with related experiences in their field, or industry, or with experience resolving the types of issues facing the entrepreneur.
- Resource Connect: Entrepreneurs are connected to valuable resources in the community through community forums, an internet platform, and other communication vehicles.
- Microcredit: Local organizations and financial institutions create a micro-credit fund that provides low-interest and no-interest loans and grants to individuals as they attempt to launch ventures.
- Research and Tracking: The program will conduct research documenting the challenges facing entrepreneurs, tracking their progress and identifying elements that are successful in helping them move forward.
Get Involved Community members can get involved through the Community Boot-Camp, an intense, hands-on exposure to the fundamentals of launching and growing a successful venture. It is taught by seasoned faculty, subject matter experts, and successful entrepreneurs. Please sign up here to get involved.
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Eligibility & Cost
Anyone in the community who suffers from adverse economic, physical, or related circumstances, is eligible to participate in the program. We focus on supporting community members living in poverty who have a dream of starting and growing a venture, including those who have already started a venture but are struggling.
The price of the Community Boot-Camp is $500. However, scholarships of $400 are available for anyone with financial need. All applicants are considered for scholarship.
The price of the Community Boot-Camp is $500. However, scholarships of $400 are available for anyone with financial need. All applicants are considered for scholarship.