Empowering Community Members to Create and Grow Successful Businesses
The Urban Poverty and Business Initiative is a collaboration among universities and non-profit organizations working together to support individuals in under served communities who are trying to start and/or grow a venture.
We are currently running the program in San Diego during the months of September and October. Watch the videos below to see a glimpse of our Pilot Program and testimonials from participants. To support local businesses that have gone through this program, please click here.
We are currently running the program in San Diego during the months of September and October. Watch the videos below to see a glimpse of our Pilot Program and testimonials from participants. To support local businesses that have gone through this program, please click here.
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 |
Program Outline
- Community Bootcamp: Community members participate in a six-week boot-camp, that introduces the basic tools, concepts, and principles relevant to launching and growing a venture. The boot-camp is designed for people with little to no resources..
- 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 retired business executives from SCORE San Diego. These business executives have significant experience in their field or industry.
- Resource Connect: Entrepreneurs are connected to valuable resources in the community through community forums and events, 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: Program partners pool their resources to collaborate and conduct research documenting the challenges facing entrepreneurs, tracking their progress and identifying elements that are successful in helping them move forward.
Get Involved Become a speaker during our training event or volunteer to become a mentor. Students can also sign up to be part of our student consulting work. Our Community Boot-Camp is taught by seasoned faculty, subject matter experts, and successful entrepreneurs. Please sign up here.
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Eligibility & Cost
Anyone in the community who is affected by adverse circumstances is eligible to participate. We focus on supporting community members in under-served areas with a dream of starting and growing a venture. We also support 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 to 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 to anyone with financial need. All applicants are considered for scholarship.