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 12 months. Purpose sufficient to be part of this system now so that you may be prepared to begin the appliance course of when the grant section 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 at the moment’s digital economic system.
First, you need to know this concerning the grants when a brand new utility section 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 provides.
- Apply for the grants themselves throughout the utility interval, which shall 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 crucial well-liked 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 study 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 sources
- Monetary help to help digital transformation initiatives
- Alternatives to community with different small enterprise homeowners 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 sources.
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 a variety of 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 contributors to establish their goal clients, community with others, and discover the sources they should launch profitably and efficiently. It concludes with a Pitch Showcase awarding a minimum of $25,000 in prize cash. Company 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 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 getting ready and connecting Metro Detroit Black-owned companies to varied funding sources 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 group 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 customized instruments to achieve at the moment’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 on the market to any small enterprise throughout Michigan (and nationwide) and shall 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 homeowners at the moment?
Digital readiness is about ensuring companies have all of the instruments and sources they should thrive in at the moment’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 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 line with knowledge revealed from Morning Seek the advice of and Verizon of their September 2020 report, “greater than two in 5 choice makers say it’s doubtless that their enterprise will increase by 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 can we bridge this hole? Entrepreneurs want easy accessibility—wherever they’re—to customized studying and training sources in an effort to efficiently implement digital methods into their companies and have the arrogance to achieve the post-pandemic future.
- Why is the Verizon Small Enterprise Digital Prepared program a great useful resource for enterprise homeowners in metro Detroit and Michigan?
Dwelling to varied 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 homeowners. Detroit has roughly 50k small companies owned by entrepreneurs of shade and the town is dedicated to making sure residents are gaining equal entry to instructional and financial alternatives of the rising high-growth economic system. In line with a 2021 Detroit Ecosystem Evaluation, Detroit has 23% of all startup firms in Michigan and has all the crucial sources to launch and develop companies which are 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 economic system, we view the small enterprise homeowners within the higher metro Detroit space—and Michigan—as a essential 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 growth group, Grand Rapids Space Black Companies (GRABB), was a distinguished voice within the Small Enterprise Advisory Committee that helped form this system and its choices. Various subject material consultants drive our content material, interactive video modules, and training occasions. Briefly, entrepreneurs in metro Detroit shall be geared up with digital methods and related learnings—by curated curriculum subjects, teaching occasions, and group teams—to use to their companies!
- What steering are the small enterprise homeowners you’re employed with looking for?
We all know typically that small enterprise homeowners are enthusiastic about studying extra about financing, digital advertising and marketing, and operational effectivity. Our customers have instructed us they’ve acquired large worth from the tutorial sources and in connecting immediately with consultants–by each one-on-one mentoring and group teaching occasions. Fifty-eight % of customers on the platform are enthusiastic about connecting with a finance professional and 64% of customers on the platform are enthusiastic about connecting with a advertising and marketing professional. The most well-liked subject areas are accessing capital, digital advertising and marketing, and bettering on-line presence. Enterprise homeowners would additionally desire to be part of a group the place they will study 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 helpful software to the BDOs, Small Enterprise Growth Facilities, CDFIs and different organizations which are on the bottom serving to small companies daily. We’re partnering carefully with all these organizations and dealing with them to combine our sources into their choices. Small Enterprise Digital Prepared’s group part additionally lets companies join with different companies and sources 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 concerning the nice work small enterprise homeowners and small enterprise growth organizations are presently engaged in, the present and ongoing challenges small enterprise homeowners are going through, and to debate how Verizon may be supportive transferring ahead. Attendees have included small enterprise homeowners, small enterprise help 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 shall 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 homeowners?
As a neighborhood liaison between Verizon and small enterprise homeowners, 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 kind coalitions to deal with 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 way in which during 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.