Since 2008, the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Emerging Leaders Initiative has provided free entrepreneurship education and training for the owners and executives of small companies that are poised for growth. Classes for this year’s program are likely to begin in April, with one location in New Orleans—could this training program help your small business?
You are eligible if you have annual revenues of at least $400,000; have been in business for at least three years; and have at least one employee other than yourself. There are no restrictions on the type of businesses that can participate. So far, Emerging Leaders has trained more than 5,000 small business owners who have created more than 6,500 jobs, and in 2018 the program has expanded to 60 new locations in emerging markets.
The training takes place over seven months, and participants work with mentors, attend specialized workshops, and network with fellow business owners, city leaders, and the financial community. Participants develop a three-year strategic growth action plan with benchmarks and performance targets. All program costs are covered by SBA and local partners; the only cost to participants is the time it takes to participate.
For more information and to apply, visit https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-initiatives/sba-emerging-leaders-initiative.