Initiative for a Competitive Inner City

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is dedicated to empowering growth-oriented entrepreneurs in rural communities, where small businesses are more than just economic engines—they are the heart of their communities. For rural business owners, the program provides critical resources to tackle unique challenges like workforce shortages, limited access to capital, and essential services. Rural entrepreneurs face unique hurdles, from attracting talent to accessing community amenities. Through the 10 week, free program, participants gain the tools to: ?? Boost resilience and revenue—over 84% of past rural participants report feeling more resilient, and 68% have increased revenue ?? Access a supportive network—connect with peers and advisors, invaluable for rural businesses with limited local support ?? Drive local impact—rural alumni are leaders in their communities, with 89% volunteering locally and 63% involved in community leadership ?? Applications Due Soon for These Locations! ?North Dakota – November 25 ?Indiana & Montana – December 1 Set your business on the path to sustainable success and make a positive impact on your community. Apply today! https://10ksbapply.com #MakeSmallBig #10KSB #10KSmallBiz #SmallBusiness #RuralBusiness #EconomicGrowth #RuralAmerica #ICICOrg #ICIC

We continue to reflect on the invaluable lessons shared during our recent Amazon A&E Program panel discussion on growth capital and scaling with major contracts, featuring insights from industry leaders and program participants. This week, we’re highlighting advice from Marc Eddy, National Business Banking Community Executive at Bank of America, on preparing your business for rapid growth after securing a major contract: “Build your board for your business. Do you have the right professionals to help guide you and provide advice for you–attorney, accountant, banker, peer, mentor? Have people you can turn to [when you need] to talk through different decisions. From a banking or financial perspective, you want someone who is going to add value and help guide you through those next steps.” Marc’s advice underscores the importance of assembling a trusted network of professionals to guide key decisions and navigate growth opportunities. Whether it's an attorney to review contracts, an accountant to manage financials, or a mentor to provide perspective, having the right team is essential for sustainable success. Thank you to Marc and all our speakers for sharing these actionable strategies for businesses aiming to scale and create meaningful impact! #AmazonAE #AmazonAccelerate #AmazonEmpower #DiverseBusinesses #SmallBusinessGrowth #ArctarisImpact #GrowthCapital #ScalingBusiness #ImpactInvesting

Attention Small Food Business Owners! Ready to Take Your Business to the Next Level? Santander’s award-winning Cultivate Small Business program is here to help early-stage entrepreneurs in the food industry grow and succeed, with a special focus on woman-, immigrant-, and BIPOC-owned businesses. This FREE 12-week mini-MBA program offers: ?? Food-Focused Curriculum led by Babson College professors ???? Expert Mentorship from industry leaders ?? Capital Grants ranging from $2,500 to $13,000 ?? Networking with fellow food entrepreneurs & industry experts Join us for a virtual Info Session to learn more: ?? Thursday, December 12, 10-11 a.m. ?? Wednesday, January 22, 2-3 p.m. Program Details ?? March 27 - June 12, 2025 ?? Open to food businesses with $25K-$1M revenue in Greater Boston, Rhode Island, and NYC areas Ready to invest in your business? Don’t miss out on early decision applications due December 2, 2024! RSVP to save your spot at one of our upcoming information sessions: https://lnkd.in/gBXxGHAh #ICICOrg #ICIC #Santander #CultivateSmallBusiness #CSB

?? Unlock the Power of Innovation with Us! ?? The countdown continues! ICIC’s 30th Anniversary Virtual Celebration is nearly here, and we’re ready to dive into Part 1 of our Innovation Summit Series. This is more than an event—it’s a chance to preview cutting-edge research and discover strategies that will drive small business growth for years to come. ?? What’s in store on December 10? ?? An inspiring fireside chat with ICIC alumni sharing actionable growth strategies ?? Recognition of the incredible 2024 IC100 Award winners, honoring the fastest-growing companies in under-resourced communities Secure your spot and join us in celebrating 30 years of impact! Register Now ?? https://lnkd.in/gvwEHSqm #ICICOrg #ICIC #ICIC30 #ICICWhatsYourWhy #WhatsYourWhy #InnerCity100 #IC100Awards #Networking #HispanicOwned #WomanOwned #SmallBusiness #VeteranOwned #BlackOwned #SmallBusinessOwner #LGBTOwned #IndigenousOwned #AnnualConference2024 #VirtualSummit #CommunityEmpowerment

Celebrating 30 Years of Impact with ICIC! ?? In honor of ICIC's 30th anniversary, our “Why I Give” Alumni Fund Campaign celebrates the passion and dedication of our supporters and alumni. By joining us, you’re investing in a brighter future for countless entrepreneurs and small business owners across the nation. Every contribution to ICIC fuels a legacy of inclusive economic growth and empowers resilient communities. Why does Leo Voloshin, CEO of Printfresh give? "As a small business founded and still operating out of Philadelphia, we believe that supporting diverse communities is a great way to give back. Small businesses create immense opportunities in underserved neighborhoods, and any education and support that ICIC can provide is something that we are 100% behind." ?? Be part of the next 30 years—let's build a vibrant, thriving future together. Donate today and share why YOU give: https://icic.org/whyigive #ICICOrg #ICIC #ICIC30 #ICICWhatsYourWhy #WhatsYourWhy #WhyIGive #SmallBusiness #InclusiveGrowth #CommunityEmpowerment

Are you ready to grow your business and win bigger contracts? The City of Boston's SCALE Program is here to help! ??? ICIC's Building for Growth program is proud to serve as the technical assistance provider for the construction sector in the City of Boston’s Supplying Capital and Leveraging Education (SCALE) initiative. The purpose of the SCALE program is to build businesses’ capacity to more effectively pursue government contracts. Through the SCALE initiative, eligible Boston-based construction businesses can receive: ?? Grants up to $200,000 ?? Industry-specific technical assistance tailored to plumbing, HVAC, electrical, general contracting, roofing, insulation, masonry, and more. ?? Expert support to help your business build capacity, overcome challenges, and secure larger contracts. Eligibility Requirements: ? Certified by the City of Boston’s Department of Supplier Diversity or Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office (or actively pursuing certification by Dec. 2, 2024) ? Based in Boston, Massachusetts ? A history of bidding on public contracts ? For-profit business in growth or mature stages Applications are open now through Monday, December 2, 2024. Don’t miss this opportunity to scale your business with technical assistance, training, and funding! ?? Learn more and apply today: boston.gov/scale-program #ICICOrg #ICIC #BostonConstruction #ICICBFG #SmallBusinessSupport #ContractingOpportunities #SCALEProgram #SupplierDiversity #FundingOpportunity #BostonFundingOpportunity #Contracting #BostonGrant

???? Veterans Small Business Week Spotlight: Excerebus Logistics ???? Today, we’re honored to feature Colleen Middleton, CPA, MBA, Veteran, a U.S. Air Force veteran and the resilient force behind Excerebus? Logistics, a service-disabled, veteran-owned business. Inspired by her military family legacy, Colleen has transformed her career from corporate accounting to entrepreneurship, creating a business that now pursues government contracts and provides employment opportunities for fellow veterans. Through the Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) program, Colleen gained fresh insights and strategic tools to expand her business while founding the Excerebus Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting veterans facing homelessness. Reflecting on her ICCC experience, Colleen shared, “The ICCC staff genuinely cared about my journey and success—it felt like more than just a program; it was a partnership.” Join us in celebrating Colleen’s incredible journey and the veteran-owned businesses uplifting our communities! #ICICOrg #ICIC #VeteranOwned #VeteransSmallBusinessWeek #SupportSmallBusiness #ICCCProgram

We’re still reflecting on the impactful insights shared during our recent Amazon A&E Program session on growth capital and scaling with major contracts including the lessons learned shared by program participant Joshua Gamez, CEO of East Coast Facilities. Joshua highlighted essential strategies for sustainable growth: “Accurate estimating is the cornerstone of a sustainable business,” Joshua emphasized, pointing to the importance of laying a strong foundation before scaling. He advised starting with a “crawl, walk, run” approach, building gradually before introducing complexity. For Joshua, partnerships with large corporations require transparent communication. “Don’t be afraid to talk to your customers about what scaling up might look like, and share your challenges along the way,” he shared, underscoring that trust and open dialogue can build lasting, successful relationships. Thank you to Joshua and all our speakers for sharing these invaluable lessons on resilience and growth! #AmazonAE #AmazonAccelerate #AmazonEmpower #DiverseBusinesses #SmallBusinessGrowth #ArctarisImpact #GrowthCapital #ScalingBusiness #ImpactInvesting

???? Veterans Small Business Week Spotlight: Miami Ice ???? Today, we're shining a light on Joseph Devlin , a Marine Corps veteran and co-founder of Miami Ice - Specialty Cold Brew Coffee co.. Alongside his partner and fellow Florida International University alum, Joseph is dedicated to growing Miami Ice and making an impact in the coffee industry. Joseph’s passion for growth led him to Santander's Cultivate Small Business program, where he gained essential skills in marketing and strategic planning. Reflecting on the experience, Joseph shared, “Through this program, I’ve gained the structure and organization needed to plan the next phase of our business.” Join us as we celebrate Miami Ice and the veteran-owned businesses shaping our communities! Learn more about Joseph's “why” here: https://lnkd.in/gqzj7Vph #ICICOrg #ICIC?#VeteranOwned #VeteransSmallBusinessWeek #SupportSmallBusiness #CSB

???? Veterans Small Business Week Spotlight: Velney Development, LLC ???? Today, we're honored to highlight Josue Velney, U.S. Marine veteran and founder of Velney Development, LLC. After serving three deployments and more than a decade as a Somerville firefighter, Josue is now a full-time real estate developer with a mission to transform his community through impactful projects across Somerville, Medford, Boston, and beyond. Josue's dedication to growth and excellence led him to ICIC’s programs, where he gained valuable mentorship and executive training. This year, he’s forged a powerful alliance with Callahan Construction Managers to drive diversity in local contracting, a partnership he credits to patience and perseverance: “Iron sharpens iron, which is precisely what we get from the BGF program.” Join us in celebrating Velney Development and all the veteran-owned businesses creating lasting impact! Learn more about Josue and his story here: https://lnkd.in/gt9nNqq7 #ICICOrg #ICIC?#VeteranOwned #VeteransSmallBusinessWeek #SupportSmallBusiness #ICCCProgram #ICICBFG #BuildingforGrowth