PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Scale Up! Louisiana is a statewide, community-based, entrepreneurial education intensive hosted by Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. This program provides early stage, women- and minority-owned firms with the education and resources needed for scalability and profitability. In order to participate, entrepreneurs must commit to a business education program that is delivered via 11, 2.5 hour web class sessions. Participants must also commit to utilizing additional resources and services to support their business outside of the curriculum, including: individual and group counseling sessions, technical assistance, pre-recorded videos, business plan assignments, and engagement with an assigned business advisor.
The Urban League of Louisiana is working to increase access to entrepreneurship training in the communities that it serves – based on the challenges, opportunities, and small business development needs that are unique to selected communities across the state of Louisiana.
FAST FACTS:
WHO: Existing Small Business Owners
WHAT: An 11-week program delivered via 11, 2.5 hour web class sessions.
BONUS: Access to a business advisor for counseling, technical assistance, and other services as needed.
COST: FREE!
Scale Up! Louisiana provides small business owners with:
- Entrepreneurship Education for Early Stage Businesses
- Localized Programming Within the Community
- One-on-One and Small Group Business Counseling
- Access to Mentors and Business Advisors Relevant to Specific Industry and Business Needs
- Connections to Resources to Support Growth
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
In order to participate, small businesses must meet the following criteria:
- Have at least $40,000 in documented revenue for the previous tax year (revenue review conducted case by case)
- Have been in business for at least 2 years
- Must have a desire to scale
- Must be certified as a Small and Emerging Business by LED (To get certified, please visit (https://www.opportunitylouisiana.com/sebd).
- Must have access to the internet and a computer with a camera at home
- Must be willing to commit to the program schedule, curriculum, and support services
*For questions regarding the eligibility criteria, please contact the CEI at wbrc@urbanleaguela.org.
SCALE UP! LOUISIANA – GREATER NEW ORLEANS – COHORT 4
The Urban League of Louisiana, in collaboration with Mastercard, will host its fourth Scale Up! Louisiana series, online, beginning in August 2021 for eligible small businesses in the Greater New Orleans area. The series will take place via 11, 2.5 hour web sessions.
Other sponsors include AARP and Louisiana Economic Development. This series is also funded through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
In order to participate, small business owners must submit an online application including a narrative of their business goals and long-term aspirations. Phone interviews will also be conducted to determine the candidate’s commitment to the program and to growing his/her business.
The application deadline for the fall 2021 program is Sunday, August 15, 2021.
SERIES SCHEDULE – FALL 2021 – GREATER NEW ORLEANS
| Date | Session | Time |
| Tuesday, August 31 | Orientation + Meet the Entrepreneurs | 10:00am-12:30pm |
| Thursday, September 2 | Session 1: Creating a Scalable Business Model | 10:00am-12:30pm |
| Thursday, September 9 | Session 2: Innovative Growth and Scalability Strategies | 10:00am-12:30pm |
| Thursday, September 16 | Session 3: The Personal and Business Finances of the Entrepreneur | 10:00am-12:30pm |
| Thursday, September 23 | Session 4: Marketing for Growth | 10:00am-12:30pm |
| Thursday, September 30 | Session 5: Winning and Keeping Customers | 10:00am-12:30pm |
| Thursday, October 7 | Session 6: Scale Up! Plan of Action Review Session | 10:00am-12:30pm |
| Thursday, October 14 | Session 7: Pricing Strategy | 10:00am-12:30pm |
| Thursday, October 21 | Session 8: How to Hire and Keep Good Employees | 10:00am-12:30pm |
| Thursday, October 28 | Session 9: Becoming Bankable: Preparing to Access Capital | 10:00am-12:30pm |
| Thursday, November 11 | Session 10: The Scale Up! Plan of Action | 10:00am-12:30pm |
OUR PARTNERS
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
