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Need Capital to Expand?

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Need Capital to Expand?

Are you a new entrepreneur? Join our B-Smart Entrepreneur Program

B-Smart Entrepreneur Program

B-Smart is a robust 10-week entrepreneurship program created in 2017 to address the lack of legitimate and accessible training for early-stage companies. Through the program’s mentorship with MBA Students and Coaches, rigorous curriculum taught by actual entrepreneurs, a pitch competition for on-the-spot grants and loan capital, and ongoing technical assistance, B-Smart has supported over 140 businesses and awarded over $101,000.00 in capital commitments to participants. B-Smart was designed by the West Philadelphia Corridor Collaborative, VestedIn, and the Drexel University Beachell Family Learning Center.

B-Smart is a robust entrepreneurship program founded in 2017 with the mission to provide community-based businesses with the essential tools, support, capital and guidance to thrive in today’s evolving business landscape. The main values B-Smart focuses on includes inclusivity, innovation, community, and accountability.

Our vision is to create a thriving ecosystem of diverse community-based businesses that drive economic growth throughout our neighborhoods. Through the program’s mentorship with MBA Students and Coaches, rigorous curriculum taught by actual entrepreneurs, a pitch competition for on-the-spot grants, loan capital, and ongoing technical assistance, B-Smart has supported over 150 community-based businesses and awarded over $300,000.00 in capital commitments to participants. Our vision is to create a thriving ecosystem of diverse community-based businesses that drive economic growth throughout our neighborhoods.

B-Smart Entrepreneur Program
Cohort 10

Presented by:

Introducing B-Smart Cohort 10

Venessa Letts

Venessa Letts

Tawanda Douse

Tawanda Douse

Tanja Carter

Tanja Carter

Rose Brown

Rose Brown

Moya Hall

Moya Hall

Mickey Merlino

Mickey Merlino

Matthew George

Matthew George

Madi Conover

Madi Conover

Kaitlin Dugan Murrel

Kaitlin Dugan Murrel

DerShar Myers

DerShar Myers

Cassie Holmes

Cassie Holmes

Amma Thomas

Amma Thomas

Program FAQs

What opportunities does the cohort get towards the end of the program?

After ten (10) weeks of workshops, our B-Smart Cohort competes in the Pitch and Present Competition.

Each year the B-Smart Entrepreneurship Program ends with our program-end Pitch and Present. The Pitch and Present is a competition where participating businesses can pitch their business for financing, grants, or feedback from a panel of Funders, Advisors, Community Partners, and Investors.

Participating entrepreneurs pitching for financial resources this year can obtain an on-the-spot approval finance check up to $20,000 approved by VestedIn. In addition to financing, three grants will be awarded between $1000-$2000 by WSFS, Wells Fargo, and Citizens.

*All pitch participants will receive ongoing technical assistance and support for their businesses post-program.

What is the curriculum overview?

Curriculum Covers:
  1. Business Planning
  2. Technology Tools for Business
  3. Legal Incorporation
  4. Accounting Foundations
  5. Business Banking
  6. Financing and Capital for Businesses
  7. Marketing
  8. Designing A Capability Statement
  9. Doing Business with Large Institutions

Who should I connect with if I have questions on applying or program details?

If you have any questions or need additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact me at precious@vestedin.org. Thank you for being a part of our mission to nurture and grow successful businesses within the Philadelphia community.

What are the requirements for entry?

Be an existing for-profit business or in the process of starting a for-profit business. Non-Profit Organizations are not accepted. Complete an application

What are success stories from this program?

To name a few, we have had over 140 Graduates, and $200,000.00 in Capital Committed to Graduates, and a 100% Debt Repayment Rate on Businesses that were funded.

B-Smart Entrepreneur Program Interest Form

Applications are now closed, join the waitlist for Cohort 11

The application process for 2023 has concluded, and we are no longer accepting submissions. However, if you would like to remain informed and receive updates regarding the next cohort for B-Smart, we kindly request that you provide your information by filling out our interest form. This will ensure that you are kept up to date and have the opportunity to apply when the next application period opens.

B-Smart Cohort 11: Interest Form

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