The newest spherical of Verizon’s $10,000 small enterprise grants is over, however we are able to anticipate {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 appliance course of when the grant part reopens.
Apart from, the true worth of Verizon Small Enterprise Digital Prepared lies in the instruments and assets this system gives small companies to allow them to thrive in right this moment’s digital economic system.
First, you need to know this concerning the grants when a brand new software part opens down the street. 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 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 one of the well-liked 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 assets
- Monetary help to help digital transformation initiatives
- Alternatives to community with different small enterprise homeowners and specialists
- 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 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.
Under is the complete Q&A with Ellison, which StartupNation performed in September 2022.Â
- 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 plenty 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 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 at the very least $25,000 in prize cash. Company embody different veteran entrepreneurs, mentors, and specialists 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 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 workforce has agreed to work instantly with these companies to establish further authorized providers.
Lastly, in September, Verizon launched Small Enterprise Digital Prepared. This on-line curriculum is designed to provide small companies the customized instruments to reach right this moment’s digital world. This system consists of studying modules, knowledgeable 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 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 vital for small enterprise homeowners right this moment?
Digital readiness is about ensuring companies have all of the instruments and assets they should thrive in right this 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 atmosphere, small companies should be agile and adapt to shifting client 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. Based on 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 probably 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 deal with. How can we bridge this hole? Entrepreneurs want easy accessibility—wherever they’re—to customized studying and training assets so as to efficiently implement digital methods into their companies and have the boldness to reach 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?
House 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 homeowners. Detroit has roughly 50k small companies owned by entrepreneurs of colour and town is dedicated to making sure residents are gaining equal entry to academic and financial alternatives of the rising high-growth economic system. Based on 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 can be digital prepared. As Verizon seeks to attach BIPOC enterprise homeowners throughout the nation with this worthwhile useful resource and create extra equitable pathways for entrepreneurs to thrive within the digital economic system, we view the small enterprise homeowners within the better metro Detroit space—and Michigan—as a vital 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. Numerous subject material specialists drive our content material, interactive video modules, and training occasions. Briefly, entrepreneurs in metro Detroit can be outfitted with digital methods and related learnings—by 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 marketing, and operational effectivity. Our customers have instructed us they’ve obtained large worth from the academic assets and in connecting instantly with specialists–by 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 knowledgeable and 64% of customers on the platform are desirous about connecting with a advertising and marketing knowledgeable. The preferred subject areas are accessing capital, digital advertising and marketing, and enhancing on-line presence. Enterprise homeowners would additionally favor to be part of a neighborhood the place they’ll study from each other, as 52% of customers need to join with friends with comparable pursuits.
- How can Verizon assist with neighborhood networking on a private degree, not a digital one?
Verizon Small Enterprise Digital Prepared is constructed to be a worthwhile software to the BDOs, Small Enterprise Growth Facilities, CDFIs and different organizations which can be on the bottom serving to small companies each day. We’re partnering carefully with some of these organizations and dealing with them to combine our assets into their choices. Small Enterprise Digital Prepared’s neighborhood part additionally lets companies join with different companies and assets by metropolis in order that they’ll connect with help 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 present engaged in, the present and ongoing challenges small enterprise homeowners are going through, and to debate how Verizon will be supportive shifting 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 worthwhile 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 abilities do you deliver to the neighborhood as a liaison between Verizon and small enterprise homeowners?
As an area 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 help group companions to kind 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 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 revealed in September 2022.
