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. Motive sufficient to join the program now so that you will be prepared to begin the appliance course of when the grant part reopens.
Apart from, the actual worth of Verizon Small Enterprise Digital Prepared lies in the instruments and sources this system supplies small companies to allow them to thrive in in the present day’s digital economic system.
First, it is best to know this in regards to the grants when a brand new utility 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 can do that 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 in the course of 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 well-liked options of the Verizon program, the free courses, coaching sessions and mentoring provided by Digital Prepared can be found to anybody who has joined this system.
Register 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 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 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 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 lot 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 business launch over a three-month interval. MVE-Lab equips individuals to establish their goal prospects, community with others, and discover the sources they should launch profitably and efficiently. It concludes with a Pitch Showcase awarding at the very least $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 Business Alliance’s Capital Join Program. This program is making ready and connecting Metro Detroit Black-owned companies to varied funding resources 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 instantly with these companies to establish extra authorized providers.
Lastly, in September, Verizon launched Small Business Digital Ready. This on-line curriculum is designed to provide small companies the personalised instruments to reach in the present day’s digital world. This system consists of studying modules, professional 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 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 necessary for small enterprise house owners in the present day?
Digital readiness is about ensuring companies have all of the instruments and sources they should thrive in in the present day’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 prospects have elevated. To remain aggressive within the new financial setting, 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. In line with information 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 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 deal with. How will we bridge this hole? Entrepreneurs want quick access—wherever they’re—to personalised studying and training sources with a purpose 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 useful resource for enterprise house owners 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 modern ethos of its various small enterprise house owners. Detroit has roughly 50k small businesses owned by entrepreneurs of color 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 line with a 2021 Detroit Ecosystem Assessment, Detroit has 23% of all startup corporations in Michigan and has all the vital sources to launch and develop companies which can 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 economic system, we view the small enterprise house owners within the larger metro Detroit space—and Michigan—as a vital 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 manager director of Michigan-based enterprise growth group, Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses (GRABB), was a distinguished 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 shall be outfitted with digital methods and related learnings—via 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 looking for?
We all know usually that small enterprise house owners are interested by studying extra about financing, digital advertising, and operational effectivity. Our customers have advised us they’ve acquired super worth from the tutorial sources and in connecting instantly with consultants–via each one-on-one mentoring and group teaching occasions. Fifty-eight % of customers on the platform are interested by connecting with a finance professional and 64% of customers on the platform are interested by connecting with a advertising professional. The preferred matter 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 study 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 degree, not a digital one?
Verizon Small Enterprise Digital Prepared is constructed to be a useful software to the BDOs, Small Enterprise Improvement Facilities, CDFIs and different organizations which can be on the bottom serving to small companies day by day. We’re partnering carefully with some of 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 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 dealing with, and to debate how Verizon will 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 shall 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 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 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 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.
