- Small Business Administration is seeking small business executives for its emerging Leaders Initiative
- Participants receive free entrepreneurship training and education as well as networking and mentorship opportunities
- Program is geared to established businesses who intend to grow and make an impact on their communities
The U.S. Small Business Administration has started the recruitment process for its annual Emerging Leaders Initiative, which is geared at small business executives looking to grow their company in underserved markets.
Designated SBA district offices are currently accepting registrations for the program, which typically begins in April. Participants receive nearly 100 classroom hours of free entrepreneurship training and education over the course of seven months, covering topics such as strategic growth, financing and access to capital, government contracting, and CEO mentoring.
The program also fosters connections to business coaches and mentors, and creates networking opportunities with city leaders, financial professionals, and others in participants’ communities. Over the course of the program, business owners develop a three-year strategic plan with benchmarks and performance goals.
The Emerging Leaders Initiative is only for established businesses, not for startups or entrepreneurs interested in starting a business. Applicants qualify if they have annual revenues of at least $250,000, employ at least one person, and have been in business for at least three years.
The SBA says the Emerging Leaders Initiative, which was established in 2008, has trained more than 5,000 small business owners and led to the creation of more than 6,500 jobs, over $300 million in new financing, and more than $3.16 billion in government contracts to small businesses.
