2023 ICCC Program Provides Free Training, Education, and Mentorship to Small Business Owners
Entrepreneurs across the U.S. and Canada are invited to apply to signature “mini-MBA program”
May 12, 2023 /3BL Media/ - The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC), with support from its funders, invites small business owners from across the United States and Canada to apply to the 2023 Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) program – a tuition-free, 40-hour “mini-MBA” program that combines executive education, webinars, and coaching delivered by top-ranking university professors, local experts, and financial institutions.
The ICCC program is designed to help small businesses in underserved communities develop strategies that build their capacity for sustainable growth and present opportunities to connect with capital sources to create local jobs.
“I am so grateful that this program exists - the focus, generosity, and caliber of everyone contributing is just amazing. It is undoubtedly a must for any entrepreneur to take part if they are invited - I can't imagine who wouldn't want to glean great advice from professionals in the field, it certainly gives one a great advantage to know there are people and resources available to be successful,” said MJ Atelier founder and 2022 ICCC participant Maria Apelo Cruz.
Since 2005, ICCC has helped more than 5,000 businesses access $2.4 billion in capital, achieve 141% revenue growth, and create more than 26,000 jobs in their communities. In 2022, the initiative served more than 800 businesses, with 85% identifying as BIPOC-owned and 60% as woman-owned businesses.
“We’re proud to offer this transformative program which has helped so many small business owners grow revenue more quickly, create well-paying jobs, and access critical capital, including a $2,000 grant for every participant who completes the entire program,’ said ICIC CEO Steve Grossman.
Entrepreneurs accepted into the ICCC program will participate in 40 hours of high-impact in-person and virtual learning divided into four components designed to maximize each participant’s experience and accommodate their busy schedules. In-person and virtual cohorts will be held in cities and states across the United States and Canada as follows:
| Location | Application Deadline | Opening Seminar |
| Boston | Friday, May 19, 2023 | Tuesday, June 6, 2023 |
| Chicago | Friday, May 26, 2023 | Monday June 12, 2023 |
| Memphis | Friday, June 9, 2023 | Tuesday, June 27, 2023 |
| New Jersey | Friday, June 30, 2023 | Wednesday, July 19, 2023 |
| U.S. National Latinx (virtual) | Friday, June 30, 2023 | Tuesday, July 18, 2023, & Thursday, July 20, 2023 |
| U.S. National (virtual) | Friday, July 7, 2023 | Tuesday, July 25, 2023, & Thursday, July 27, 2023 |
| Dallas | Friday, July 14, 2023 | Tuesday, August 1, 2023 |
| Springfield & Western Massachusetts | Friday, July 21, 2023 | Tuesday, August 8, 2023 |
| Detroit | Friday, July 28, 2023 | Tuesday, August 15, 2023 |
| Baltimore | Friday, August 25, 2023 | Tuesday, September 12, 2023 |
| Toronto | Friday, August 25, 2023 | Thursday, September 14, 2023 |
| Nashville | Friday, September 1, 2023 | Wednesday, September 20, 2023 |
| Canada National (virtual) | Friday, September 8, 2023 | Tuesday, October 10, & Thursday, October 12, 2023 |
Throughout the program, participants engage in digital learning sessions, webinars, and one-on-one business coaching that tackle each business owner's immediate challenges. The program culminates with the ICIC Annual Conference, hosted in Miami, Florida, the week of December 11, which focuses on building resilience strategies and connecting participants with capital providers.
Application deadlines vary by cohort. Visit ICIC’s website for additional details about the ICCC program, including eligibility criteria, and applications.
For more information and to connect with an ICIC subject matter expert, please contact André Ledgister at aledgister@icic.org or (617) 238-3012 or Jasmine Martin at jmartin@icic.org or (617) 238-3010.
About Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC)
Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) was founded by renowned Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter in 1994 as a research and strategy organization that today is widely recognized as the preeminent authority on the economies of underserved communities. ICIC drives inclusive economic prosperity in under-resourced communities through innovative research and programs to create jobs, income, and wealth for local residents.
Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) is a tuition-free executive leadership training program designed by ICIC to help business owners in under-resourced communities build capacity for sustainable growth in revenue, profitability, and employment. ICCC is uniquely designed to provide three critical elements for sustainable growth: capacity-building education, one-on-one coaching, and connections to capital and capital providers. The program is supported by Kaiser Permanente, Bank of America, Yum! Brands, Pizza Hut Canada, FedEx, Regions Bank, Santander Bank, AmerisourceBergen, PNC Bank, Mass Mutual Foundation, Arctaris Impact Investors, Cardinal Health, Vizient, Rose International, and Blackstone Consulting.
Learn more at www.icic.org or @icicorg.
