The newest spherical of Verizon’s $10,000 small enterprise grants is over, however we are able to count on {that a} new spherical will open later this yr. Cause sufficient to be part of this system now so that you may be prepared to begin the appliance course of when the grant part reopens.
In addition to, the true worth of Verizon Small Enterprise Digital Prepared lies in the instruments and assets this system offers small companies to allow them to thrive in at this time’s digital financial system.
First, it’s best to know this in regards to the grants when a brand new software part opens down the highway. Making use of is free and straightforward, however:
- When you have not but joined this system (additionally free and straightforward), you are able to do that right here.
- After you’ve joined Digital Prepared, you’ll have to full any two of the numerous free programs or occasions this system affords.
- Apply for the grants themselves in the course of the software interval, which can be introduced at a later date.
Verizon will notify all candidates whether or not they’ve been chosen to obtain funding.
Whereas the monetary grants are some of the in style options of the Verizon program, the free programs, teaching classes and mentoring provided by Digital Prepared can be found to anybody who has joined this system.
Register right here to get began.
To be taught extra about Digital Prepared, StartupNation spoke with Brianna Ellison, director of group engagement for Verizon. Ellison elaborates on the work Verizon is doing to assist entrepreneurs and on the advantages of the Small Enterprise Digital Prepared program, together with:
- Entry to free digital expertise coaching and assets
- Monetary help to help digital transformation initiatives
- Alternatives to community with different small enterprise house owners and consultants
- Entry to help from Verizon and its companions
As Ellison explains, Verizon is actively partnering with Michigan small companies to assist them succeed within the digital financial system, together with:
- Verizon has partnered with Grand Valley State College’s Veterans Entrepreneurship Lab to offer grants and help to veteran entrepreneurs.
- Verizon has partnered with the Metro Detroit Black Enterprise Alliance’s Capital Join Program to assist Black-owned companies entry funding and assets.
Beneath is the total Q&A with Ellison, which StartupNation carried out in September 2022.
- What work is Verizon doing within the Detroit/Michigan group to assist small companies?
Verizon has actively partnered with Michigan small companies. We’re members of quite a few chambers of commerce and associations from throughout the state that work with small companies (such because the Detroit Regional Chamber, Grand Rapids Chamber, Dearborn Chamber, The Proper Place, MI Chamber, Automation Alley, Metro Detroit Black Enterprise Alliance, MI Enterprise Incubator Assoc.). Verizon participates in a lot of thought management occasions with these organizations to share experience and assets with their membership.
In 2021, we prolonged a grant to Grand Valley State College’s Veterans Entrepreneurship Lab. Veterans and/or navy spouses work on their enterprise launch over a three-month interval. MVE-Lab equips individuals to determine their goal clients, community with others, and discover the assets they should launch profitably and efficiently. It concludes with a Pitch Showcase awarding no less than $25,000 in prize cash. Visitors embrace different veteran entrepreneurs, mentors, and consultants like attorneys and advertising and marketing specialists, together with the chief of Verizon’s veteran worker useful resource group who shared details about Verizon help for small enterprise house owners alongside along with his personal private expertise as an entrepreneur.
In 2021, we additionally established a partnership between Verizon’s Professional Bono Program and the Metro Detroit Black Enterprise Alliance’s Capital Join Program. This program is making ready and connecting Metro Detroit Black-owned companies to numerous funding assets to make sure their sustained success. If any of those companies want additional authorized help or one-on-one help, the Verizon Professional Bono Program staff has agreed to work immediately with these companies to determine further authorized providers.
Lastly, in September, Verizon launched Small Enterprise Digital Prepared. This on-line curriculum is designed to offer small companies the personalised instruments to reach at this time’s digital world. This system consists of studying modules, skilled teaching, peer networking and a market of instruments and options. The free on-line useful resource is out there to any small enterprise throughout Michigan (and nationwide) and can be utilized by Verizon companions such because the Black Enterprise Alliance’s Capital Join Program.
- What do you imply by “Digital Prepared” and why is digital readiness essential for small enterprise house owners at this time?
Digital readiness is about ensuring companies have all of the instruments and assets they should thrive in at this time’s financial system. The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed unexpected challenges on entrepreneurs and additional accelerated a shift to digital methods of working. Greater than 75% of small companies pivoted their operations as a result of disaster and greater than 50% of SMBs say their on-line interactions with clients have elevated. To remain aggressive within the new financial setting, small companies have to be agile and adapt to shifting shopper preferences.
Small enterprise entrepreneurs perceive the significance of using digital instruments of their day-to-day operations, however discover it difficult to implement significant digital transformation. In accordance with knowledge revealed from Morning Seek the advice of and Verizon of their September 2020 report, “greater than two in 5 determination makers say it’s doubtless that their enterprise will develop by means of digital applied sciences and rely extra closely on communications.” On the identical time, greater than two-thirds of respondents acknowledged that including or transitioning to digital/on-line operations has been difficult for his or her enterprise to handle. How can we bridge this hole? Entrepreneurs want quick access—wherever they’re—to personalised studying and training assets in an effort to efficiently implement digital methods into their companies and have the arrogance to reach the post-pandemic future.
- Why is the Verizon Small Enterprise Digital Prepared program a superb useful resource for enterprise house owners in metro Detroit and Michigan?
House to numerous analysis organizations and anchor establishments, together with a vibrant and multicultural entrepreneurial ecosystem, Detroit’s wealthy roots embody the hardworking and revolutionary ethos of its various small enterprise house owners. Detroit has roughly 50k small companies owned by entrepreneurs of coloration and the town is dedicated to making sure residents are gaining equal entry to academic and financial alternatives of the rising high-growth financial system. In accordance with a 2021 Detroit Ecosystem Evaluation, Detroit has 23% of all startup firms in Michigan and has the entire obligatory assets to launch and develop companies which might be digital prepared. As Verizon seeks to attach BIPOC enterprise house owners throughout the nation with this useful useful resource and create extra equitable pathways for entrepreneurs to thrive within the digital financial system, we view the small enterprise house owners within the larger metro Detroit space—and Michigan—as a crucial consumer base within the effort.
Verizon’s Small Enterprise Digital Prepared program was constructed by (largely BIPOC) small companies for small companies. Jamiel Robinson, the manager director of Michigan-based enterprise growth group, Grand Rapids Space Black Companies (GRABB), was a outstanding voice within the Small Enterprise Advisory Committee that helped form this system and its choices. Numerous material consultants drive our content material, interactive video modules, and training occasions. In brief, entrepreneurs in metro Detroit can be geared up with digital methods and related learnings—by means of curated curriculum matters, teaching occasions, and group teams—to use to their companies!
- What steerage are the small enterprise house owners you’re employed with in search of?
We all know usually that small enterprise house owners are all for studying extra about financing, digital advertising and marketing, and operational effectivity. Our customers have informed us they’ve acquired large worth from the academic assets and in connecting immediately with consultants–by means of each one-on-one mentoring and group teaching occasions. Fifty-eight p.c of customers on the platform are all for connecting with a finance skilled and 64% of customers on the platform are all for connecting with a advertising and marketing skilled. The most well-liked matter areas are accessing capital, digital advertising and marketing, and enhancing on-line presence. Enterprise house owners would additionally favor to be part of a group the place they will be taught from each other, as 52% of customers wish to join with friends with related pursuits.
- How can Verizon assist with group networking on a private stage, not a digital one?
Verizon Small Enterprise Digital Prepared is constructed to be a useful device to the BDOs, Small Enterprise Improvement Facilities, CDFIs and different organizations which might be on the bottom serving to small companies daily. We’re partnering intently with a majority of these organizations and dealing with them to combine our assets into their choices. Small Enterprise Digital Prepared’s group part additionally lets companies join with different companies and assets by metropolis in order that they will hook up with help of their native space!
On the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Verizon started the grassroots work of internet hosting digital group dialogues targeted on small companies in communities from throughout the state. The aim of those dialogues is to listen to in regards to the nice work small enterprise house owners and small enterprise growth organizations are presently engaged in, the present and ongoing challenges small enterprise house owners are going through, and to debate how Verizon may be supportive shifting ahead. Attendees have included small enterprise house owners, small enterprise help organizations and chambers of commerce.
Now greater than ever, we at Verizon will proceed to construct on the extremely useful relationships with the communities we serve. These dialogues are solely the start of what we hope can be long-term partnerships the place we are able to proceed the dialog and discover future alternatives to be supportive.
- What expertise do you convey to the group as a liaison between Verizon and small enterprise house owners?
As a neighborhood liaison between Verizon and small enterprise house owners, I work to construct bridges of reference to my friends, inside enterprise companions and exterior stakeholders to champion insurance policies that enrich lives and allow a digital future that serves all Michigan communities. I’m able to leverage relationships inside Verizon and with enterprise help group companions to type coalitions to deal with the challenges small companies face, amplify successes and finest practices, and disseminate details about Verizon instruments and assets. Reflexively, I meet with companies to take heed to their wants and drive the way in which by which we deposit goodwill in our native communities and innovate to construct the networks that transfer the world ahead for everybody.
Q&A initially revealed in September 2022.
