April 15 | Deadline to apply for Entrepreneurship Program for Returned Citizens
A cohort-based training for 40 returning citizen entrepreneurs, including 15 new businesses or aspiring entrepreneurs and 25 established businesses. See the Official Rules attached at the bottom of this page.
New businesses will go through 12 weeks of interactive training to help you flesh out your business idea and build the necessary skills to succeed as an entrepreneur.
Existing businesses will join for the last 6 weeks of the training, focused on financing a business, public speaking, community engagement and social media, and making your business pitch.
Every participant will be prepared to take the next step in their business!
Participants who complete the training will be eligible for Aspire Pitch 2021 -- 2 Pitch Nights in August for the public to hear about these businesses and for entrepreneurs to get essential feedback from judges, resource partners, and the community. Public feedback will let residents have their voices heard about what businesses they most want in their community and how they’re ready to support them. Businesses will get input and resources from enthusiastic judges. DSLBD will award $2,000 to $10,000 prizes for Aspire participants to grow their business.