Equipping Entrepreneurs to Transform communities.

Economic Development

 

We help talented yet under-resourced entrepreneurs start and grow businesses that transform lives so they transform the community where they work and live.

We TRAIN entrepreneurs through a 12-week entrepreneurship program and further support business owners through a small business accelerator.

We COACH and support our entrepreneurs beyond their business plans to build sustainable enterprises.

We CONNECT them to the financial resources required to take their businesses to the next stage.

 

Our Programs

  • Principles

    Reset your entrepreneurial mindset in our 3 week masterclass! Transform your mindset and learn how to think about your business from a high level so you can work on your business and not just in it. We encourage everyone who is in business or has thought about going into business to register.

  • Sharks At the Beach

    Sharks is an intensive program aimed at supporting aspiring entrepreneurs from ideas to launch through business plan training, coaching, and access to financial resources.

    The program concludes with an in person “Pitch Competition” event May 28th, 2024.

    Learn More about SHARKS

  • Thrive Business Academy

    Thrive Business Accelerator is designed to help existing businesses grow and scale through mentorship, technical assistance, referrals, and access to capital.

    The next Thrive Cohort starts November 6th, 2024.

    Learn More about THRIVE

Get Involved

Start Your Journey Today

We believe a key difference between wealth and poverty is relationships. That’s where YOU play a vital role in helping to make a difference. Here’s a list of volunteer opportunities.

Mentor: Mentor an entrepreneur providing encouragement, advice, accountability, and being a thinking partner over the length of the cohorts.

Coach: Coaches share their subject matter expertise with entrepreneurs needing assistance with financial management, marketing, operations, or planning.

Workshop Facilitator:  Workshop Facilitators share the responsibility with other facilitators to guide a cohort of entrepreneurs through the business training curriculum.

Guest Speaker:  During most Thrive Business Accelerator sessions, volunteer guest speakers visit to share their experiences and expertise with program participants. This helps participants better understand the course concepts and material.

To get more detailed information on Volunteer Opportunities click here.

With two amazing programs to choose from, which one is right for you?

If you are an Aspiring Entrepreneur, looking to put feet to your ideas . . . or maybe you are an Early Stage Entrepreneur, looking to make your side hustle into a real business . . . then the Sharks Program is for you.

If you have an Existing Business, the Thrive Business Accelerator could be right for you. Learn how to grow your business with the help of a mentor, technical assistance, referrals and access to capital.

Support Graduates of our Shark and Thrive Programs. View Business Directory.

Entrepreneurs from 2023 and 2021.

From our entrepreneurs

 

“Urban Impact provided the mentorship and guidance I didn’t receive growing up. The mentoring I received helped me grow my business, and more importantly, changed my life … how I show up as a mother and a person.”

 

”In the beginning, I didn’t know if my dreams were possible.  But with help from Urban Impact, I now know that I can start and grow my business, and much more… I can dream big and accomplish those dreams!”

 

“I am so proud to be a positive role model to my children and my community. Urban Impact helping me build my business is building the community.”