The newest spherical of Verizon’s $10,000 small enterprise grants is over, however we will count on {that a} new spherical will open later this yr. Cause sufficient to be part of this system now so that you will be prepared to start out the applying course of when the grant part reopens.
Moreover, the actual worth of Verizon Small Enterprise Digital Prepared lies in the instruments and sources this system gives small companies to allow them to thrive in immediately’s digital financial system.
First, it is best to know this concerning the grants when a brand new software part opens down the street. Making use of is free and simple, however:
- In case you have not but joined this system (additionally free and simple), you are able to do that right here.
- After you’ve joined Digital Prepared, you’ll have to full any two of the various free programs or occasions this system presents.
- Apply for the grants themselves throughout the software interval, which will probably 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 one of the fashionable options of the Verizon program, the free programs, teaching periods and mentoring supplied by Digital Prepared can be found to anybody who has joined this system.
Register right here to get began.
To study extra about Digital Prepared, StartupNation spoke with Brianna Ellison, director of neighborhood 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 abilities coaching and sources
- Monetary help to assist digital transformation initiatives
- Alternatives to community with different small enterprise homeowners and specialists
- Entry to assist 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 supply grants and assist 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 sources.
Under is the complete Q&A with Ellison, which StartupNation carried out in September 2022.
- What work is Verizon doing within the Detroit/Michigan neighborhood 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 quite a few thought management occasions with these organizations to share experience and sources with their membership.
In 2021, we prolonged a grant to Grand Valley State College’s Veterans Entrepreneurship Lab. Veterans and/or army 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 sources they should launch profitably and efficiently. It concludes with a Pitch Showcase awarding no less than $25,000 in prize cash. Friends embrace different veteran entrepreneurs, mentors, and specialists like attorneys and advertising specialists, together with the chief of Verizon’s veteran worker useful resource group who shared details about Verizon assist for small enterprise homeowners alongside together 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 sources to make sure their sustained success. If any of those companies want additional authorized help or one-on-one assist, the Verizon Professional Bono Program staff has agreed to work instantly with these companies to determine further authorized companies.
Lastly, in September, Verizon launched Small Enterprise Digital Prepared. This on-line curriculum is designed to provide small companies the personalised instruments to achieve immediately’s digital world. This system contains studying modules, professional teaching, peer networking and a market of instruments and options. The free on-line useful resource is obtainable to any small enterprise throughout Michigan (and nationwide) and will probably 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 necessary for small enterprise homeowners immediately?
Digital readiness is about ensuring companies have all of the instruments and sources they should thrive in immediately’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 because of the 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 should 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 response to knowledge printed from Morning Seek the advice of and Verizon of their September 2020 report, “greater than two in 5 resolution makers say it’s possible that their enterprise will increase via digital applied sciences and rely extra closely on communications.” On the similar 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 will we bridge this hole? Entrepreneurs want quick access—wherever they’re—to personalised studying and training sources as a way to efficiently implement digital methods into their companies and have the boldness to achieve the post-pandemic future.
- Why is the Verizon Small Enterprise Digital Prepared program a superb useful resource for enterprise homeowners in metro Detroit and Michigan?
Dwelling to numerous analysis organizations and anchor establishments, together with a vibrant and multicultural entrepreneurial ecosystem, Detroit’s wealthy roots embody the hardworking and modern ethos of its numerous small enterprise homeowners. Detroit has roughly 50k small companies owned by entrepreneurs of coloration and town is dedicated to making sure residents are gaining equal entry to academic and financial alternatives of the rising high-growth financial system. In response to a 2021 Detroit Ecosystem Evaluation, Detroit has 23% of all startup corporations in Michigan and has the entire needed sources to launch and develop companies which can be digital prepared. As Verizon seeks to attach BIPOC enterprise homeowners throughout the nation with this helpful useful resource and create extra equitable pathways for entrepreneurs to thrive within the digital financial system, we view the small enterprise homeowners within the larger metro Detroit space—and Michigan—as a important person 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 improvement 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. Various material specialists drive our content material, interactive video modules, and training occasions. In brief, entrepreneurs in metro Detroit will probably be outfitted with digital methods and related learnings—via curated curriculum matters, teaching occasions, and neighborhood teams—to use to their companies!
- What steering are the small enterprise homeowners you’re employed with searching for?
We all know typically that small enterprise homeowners are desirous about studying extra about financing, digital advertising, and operational effectivity. Our customers have informed us they’ve acquired great worth from the academic sources and in connecting instantly with specialists–via each one-on-one mentoring and group teaching occasions. Fifty-eight p.c of customers on the platform are desirous about connecting with a finance professional and 64% of customers on the platform are desirous about connecting with a advertising professional. The preferred subject areas are accessing capital, digital advertising, and bettering on-line presence. Enterprise homeowners would additionally desire to be part of a neighborhood the place they’ll study from each other, as 52% of customers wish to join with friends with related pursuits.
- How can Verizon assist with neighborhood networking on a private stage, not a digital one?
Verizon Small Enterprise Digital Prepared is constructed to be a helpful instrument to the BDOs, Small Enterprise Growth Facilities, CDFIs and different organizations which can be on the bottom serving to small companies day by day. We’re partnering carefully with these kinds of organizations and dealing with them to combine our sources into their choices. Small Enterprise Digital Prepared’s neighborhood part additionally lets companies join with different companies and sources by metropolis in order that they’ll connect with assist of their native space!
On the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Verizon started the grassroots work of internet hosting digital neighborhood dialogues centered on small companies in communities from throughout the state. The aim of those dialogues is to listen to concerning the nice work small enterprise homeowners and small enterprise improvement organizations are at the moment engaged in, the present and ongoing challenges small enterprise homeowners are dealing with, and to debate how Verizon will be supportive shifting ahead. Attendees have included small enterprise homeowners, small enterprise assist organizations and chambers of commerce.
Now greater than ever, we at Verizon will proceed to construct on the extremely helpful relationships with the communities we serve. These dialogues are solely the start of what we hope will probably be long-term partnerships the place we will proceed the dialog and discover future alternatives to be supportive.
- What abilities do you deliver to the neighborhood as a liaison between Verizon and small enterprise homeowners?
As a neighborhood liaison between Verizon and small enterprise homeowners, 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 assist group companions to kind coalitions to sort out the challenges small companies face, amplify successes and greatest practices, and disseminate details about Verizon instruments and sources. Reflexively, I meet with companies to hearken to their wants and drive the best way through which we deposit goodwill in our native communities and innovate to construct the networks that transfer the world ahead for everybody.
Q&A initially printed in September 2022.
Verizon Small Enterprise Digital Prepared: Be a part of for Free and Construct Your Abilities
