The newest spherical of Verizon’s $10,000 small enterprise grants is over, however we will anticipate {that a} new spherical will open later this yr. Purpose sufficient to be part of this system now so that you might be prepared to start out the applying course of when the grant part reopens.
Moreover, 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 economic 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 simple, however:
- You probably 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 might 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 probably the most fashionable options of the Verizon program, the free programs, teaching classes and mentoring supplied 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 abilities 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 economic system, together with:
- Verizon has partnered with Grand Valley State College’s Veterans Entrepreneurship Lab to supply 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 complete Q&A with Ellison, which StartupNation performed 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 quite a few 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 army spouses work on their enterprise launch over a three-month interval. MVE-Lab equips members to establish their goal clients, community with others, and discover the assets they should launch profitably and efficiently. It concludes with a Pitch Showcase awarding not less than $25,000 in prize cash. Company embrace different veteran entrepreneurs, mentors, and consultants like attorneys and advertising 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 getting 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 establish 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 at this time’s digital world. This system contains studying modules, skilled teaching, peer networking and a market of instruments and options. The free on-line useful resource is offered to any small enterprise throughout Michigan (and nationwide) and might 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 economic 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 accordance with knowledge printed from Morning Seek the advice of and Verizon of their September 2020 report, “greater than two in 5 determination makers say it’s probably that their enterprise will broaden by means of 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 deal with. How will we bridge this hole? Entrepreneurs want easy accessibility—wherever they’re—to personalised studying and training assets in an effort 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 an excellent useful resource for enterprise house owners in metro Detroit and Michigan?
Residence 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 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 economic system. In accordance with a 2021 Detroit Ecosystem Evaluation, Detroit has 23% of all startup corporations in Michigan and has the entire crucial assets to launch and develop companies which are 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 economic system, we view the small enterprise house owners within the higher metro Detroit space—and Michigan—as a important consumer base within the effort.
Verizon’s Small Enterprise Digital Prepared program was constructed by (principally BIPOC) small companies for small companies. Jamiel Robinson, the chief 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. Numerous material consultants drive our content material, interactive video modules, and training occasions. Briefly, entrepreneurs in metro Detroit might be outfitted with digital methods and related learnings—by means of curated curriculum matters, teaching occasions, and group teams—to use to their companies!
- What steering are the small enterprise house owners you’re employed with in search of?
We all know usually that small enterprise house owners are eager about studying extra about financing, digital advertising, and operational effectivity. Our customers have informed us they’ve acquired great 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 eager about connecting with a finance skilled and 64% of customers on the platform are eager about connecting with a advertising skilled. The most well-liked subject areas are accessing capital, digital advertising, and enhancing on-line presence. Enterprise house owners would additionally desire 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 comparable pursuits.
- How can Verizon assist with group networking on a private degree, not a digital one?
Verizon Small Enterprise Digital Prepared is constructed to be a useful software to the BDOs, Small Enterprise Growth Facilities, CDFIs and different organizations which are on the bottom serving to small companies day-after-day. We’re partnering carefully 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 connect 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 improvement organizations are presently engaged in, the present and ongoing challenges small enterprise house owners are dealing with, and to debate how Verizon might be supportive transferring 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 might be long-term partnerships the place we will proceed the dialog and discover future alternatives to be supportive.
- What abilities do you convey to the group as a liaison between Verizon and small enterprise house owners?
As an area liaison between Verizon and small enterprise house owners, I work to construct bridges of reference to my friends, inner 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 sort out the challenges small companies face, amplify successes and greatest practices, and disseminate details about Verizon instruments and assets. Reflexively, I meet with companies to take heed 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.
