The most recent spherical of Verizon’s $10,000 small enterprise grants is over, however we will count on {that a} new spherical will open later this 12 months. Purpose sufficient to be a part of this system now so that you might be prepared to begin the applying 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 now’s digital financial 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 straightforward, however:
- If in case you have not but joined this system (additionally free and straightforward), 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 gives.
- Apply for the grants themselves throughout the software 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 probably the most well-liked options of the Verizon program, the free programs, teaching periods 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 assets
- 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 assets.
Under is the total 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 individuals to determine 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 least $25,000 in prize cash. Company embody 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 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 varied funding assets 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 workforce has agreed to work instantly with these companies to determine extra authorized companies.
Lastly, in September, Verizon launched Small Enterprise Digital Prepared. This on-line curriculum is designed to present small companies the personalised instruments to reach right now’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 vital for small enterprise homeowners right now?
Digital readiness is about ensuring companies have all of the instruments and assets they should thrive in right now’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. Based on information 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 broaden by means of digital applied sciences and rely extra closely on communications.” On the identical 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 assets to be able to efficiently implement digital methods into their companies and have the arrogance to reach the post-pandemic future.
- Why is the Verizon Small Enterprise Digital Prepared program an excellent 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 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 financial system. Based on a 2021 Detroit Ecosystem Evaluation, Detroit has 23% of all startup firms in Michigan and has all the obligatory assets to launch and develop companies which might be digital prepared. As Verizon seeks to attach BIPOC enterprise homeowners throughout the nation with this useful useful resource and create extra equitable pathways for entrepreneurs to thrive within the digital financial system, we view the small enterprise homeowners within the better metro Detroit space—and Michigan—as a essential person 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 distinguished 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 shall be geared up 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 homeowners you’re employed with looking for?
We all know usually that small enterprise homeowners are keen on studying extra about financing, digital advertising, and operational effectivity. Our customers have advised us they’ve obtained super worth from the tutorial assets and in connecting instantly with specialists–by means of each one-on-one mentoring and group teaching occasions. Fifty-eight % of customers on the platform are keen on connecting with a finance professional and 64% of customers on the platform are keen on connecting with a advertising professional. The preferred matter areas are accessing capital, digital advertising, and bettering on-line presence. Enterprise homeowners would additionally want to be part of a group the place they will study from each other, as 52% of customers need 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 instrument to the BDOs, Small Enterprise Improvement Facilities, CDFIs and different organizations which might be on the bottom serving to small companies each day. We’re partnering carefully with these kinds of 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 hook up with assist of their native space!
On the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Verizon started the grassroots work of internet hosting digital group 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 might 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 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 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, 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 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 hearken to their wants and drive the way in which by 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.
