News Release: Entrepreneurial and Small Business Opportunity and Support

Some of the most important work we do and pride ourselves on is supporting our LGBT entrepreneurs and small businesses. One of the many benefits we bring to those types of members is our partnerships and connections to other organizations that help us with that work. We are bringing you several exciting opportunities to start or grow your business with events TOMORROW! 

With our partnership with the Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC) not only do we have an office there, but we also offer scholarships to their educational programs that mentor and grow entrepreneurs. Over the last 4 years, we have seen and sponsored 7 members through those programs. The next rounds are starting soon and we want to see more LGBTQ+ participants. 

Once a business is successful and ready to go to a whole new level, our partnership with the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) comes in. The EO is starting their next round of programming as well and we would like to see LGBTQ+ representation there. 

You can find out more information on all of those programs and also support Black entrepreneurs by taking a look at the info below. 

Join EO (Entrepreneurs’ Organization) tomorrow, July 24th from 11:30 am - 1 pm to learn more about their program Catalyst, geared toward “Rebuilding Your Business After Surviving the Storm”. This event is offered live at the Entrepreneur Center or virtual via Zoom. With Catalyst launching on August 19th, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to light a fire under your business. RSVP for this event here. You can learn all about the Catalyst program in this brochure. 

Join the Nashville Entrepreneur Center tomorrow, July 24th from 8:45 am - 1:30 pm for the 2nd annual Twende Summit, a symposium for Founders of Color. This completely virtual conference will feature space to learn, gain insights and connect with other entrepreneurs of color, in all phases of the entrepreneurial life cycle. Hear from industry experts like CMO of Translation/United Masters Chaucer Barnes, FLWR Shop founder Alex Vaughan, Possip founder and CEO Shani Dowell, founder and CEO of MiTech Partners Bill McCleskey and more. RSVP for the full summit experience here.
 

Join the Nashville Entrepreneur Center tomorrow, July 24th from 12 pm - 1 pm for Pitch For Good: Black Founders Edition, part of the Twende Summit. Twende is a movement to change the success rate for Black and brown founders in their crucial first three years of their startups. Founded by Nashville entrepreneurs in partnership with the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, Twende is a Kiswahili word for “let’s go.” This is a virtual elevator pitch competition for Black entrepreneurs in Tennessee. Find more information and register for the event here. 

The Nashville Entrepreneur Center’s PreFlight is a 14-week virtual program that helps first-time entrepreneurs turn their ideas into reality. Through weekly interactive coursework, plus access to online learning materials and the EC’s advisor network, entrepreneurs begin to establish a solid foundation from which to take their first steps. The next session runs September 14 - December 14. Find more information about this program here.

Have you already kicked off your new business venture? The EC’s InFlight program addresses the unique challenges of early-stage startups. This unique, year-long program helps powerful ideas take flight within a dynamic learning environment and supportive community of diverse and driven peers. Through advisory and networking opportunities, InFlight participants gain the advantage of others’ experience, insight, and desire to inform and invest in what’s next. Find more information and get started with InFlight. 

If you can’t make the events tomorrow but want to get involved, just reach out to me and we will get you the info you need. If this is not for you yet, let’s still talk and make a plan on when to take your first steps. If you are not an entrepreneur or have your own business but want to support LGBT entrepreneurs, you can donate to our Foundation where funds go to provide scholarships for these programs.