PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS | PROGRAM COMPARISON

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Our research indicates that the best way to boost employment in underserved and under-resourced locations is by supporting the growth of small businesses that serve these areas. To aid in this effort, we provide seven tuition-free programs for small businesses at every stage of their lifecycle, from startup to succession. We are currently accepting applications and nominations for multiple programs. Find out more below.

Startup and Early-Stage Growth

Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women: Black in Business (BIB): In response to the increasing number of Black women sole proprietors and the disadvantages they face, this program teaches participants how to price their products or services, hire employees, understand finances, and so much more. The One Million Black Women: Black in Business curriculum is delivered in partnership with NYU Stern School of Business through a blended offering of face-to-face sessions at Goldman Sachs HQ in NYC and virtual classes over 12 weeks, both at no cost to participants across the country.

Santander Bank’s Cultivate Small Business (CSB): Cultivate Small Business is designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs in low-income neighborhoods build and sustain their businesses, with a focus on women, minority, and immigrant-owned businesses in food-related industries. The program provides industry-specific education, networks, mentoring, and small capital grants for business owners.

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Mid-Stage Growth

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses (10KSB): ICIC partners with Goldman Sachs to identify high-potential entrepreneurs for the 10,000 Small Businesses initiative. The program connects business owners in underserved communities to a comprehensive program of education and support. The program has served more than 10,000 small business owners in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and  Puerto Rico.

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Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC): Inner City Capital Connections, launched in 2005 in partnership with Bank of America, helps match investment-ready inner city companies with growth capital. The program has served more than 6,500 businesses that have raised $2.5 billion in capital.

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Later-Stage Growth

Building for Growth (BFG): Building for Growth (BFG) is a national, online, tuition-free executive education program that helps primarily BIPOC-, women-, and veteran-owned construction contractors build capacity and develop sustainable growth strategies. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority is partnering with ICIC to bring BFG to New Jersey construction contractors, with classes starting January 2025. The program is hybrid, offering both in-person classes hosted at Kean University and virtual classes via Zoom.

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Manufacturing Accelerator Program: High-Growth Strategies for Manufacturers (MAP): The Manufacturing Accelerator Program: High Growth Strategies for Manufacturers (MAP) is a new, tuition-free executive education initiative designed to help primarily BIPOC- and woman-owned manufacturing businesses achieve sustainable growth. Developed by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) in partnership with Harvard Business School Professor Lynda Applegate and the Georgia Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Center, MAP equips underserved manufacturers with the knowledge and strategies needed to thrive in today’s competitive marketplace.

MAP’s inaugural cohort will begin in the late Spring of 2025, and we’re looking for independent, for-profit, growth-oriented manufacturers with at least 25 employees* to join this transformative program. Our innovative 12-week curriculum has been tailored to the unique needs of manufacturers, leveraging ICIC’s research and experience in fostering small business growth. With a focus on growth, access to capital, and sustainability, MAP will set you on a path toward greater success.

Additional Opportunities

Inner City 100 (IC100) Awards: The Inner City 100 has recognized and celebrated the fastest-growing businesses in under-resourced communities in the U.S. each year since 1999. Celebrating its 25^th anniversary in 2023, the list is published annually and unveiled at our annual national education and awards conference in December. Inner City 100 winners include today’s most creative entrepreneurs, including: Printfresh, Sisters Traveling Solo, Happy Family, Revolution Foods, and TerraCycle.

ICIC’s Alumni Network (ICAN): A vibrant group of alumni from all of ICIC’s programs engaging in networking, learning, and building a strong community. With the establishment of seven local chapters and dedicated Alumni Steering Committees in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, D.C., Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area, ICAN has become a catalyst for strengthening the alumni community. Steering Committee members enjoy heightened visibility, priority consideration for speaking engagements, exclusive networking events, and VIP access to the Annual Conference. ICAN is not just a network—it’s a dynamic platform empowering success through meaningful connections and ongoing professional development.

Contact us to learn more about joining a program cohort.

Learn more about partnering with ICIC on our mission to support the growth of businesses in under-resourced communities.