Inner City Capital Connections
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About ICCC
Program Structure | Who We Serve | Where We’re Headed
Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) is a tuition-free executive leadership training program designed by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) to help business owners in under-resourced communities build capacity for sustainable growth and resiliency. Through in-person and virtual seminars, digital learning modules, and individual coaching, our self-paced 40-hour “mini-MBA” allows you to customize a curriculum to fit your business’s specific needs.
The 2024 program will feature more in-person programming and peer-to-peer connections, and entrepreneurs will receive the tools and resources to scale, grow, and sustain their businesses. Watch the video below to learn more about ICCC and hear alumni share how they have benefitted from the program!
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“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.”
MJ Atelier – 2022 ICCC Southern CA Participant
As we prepare for the 2024 ICCC program year, we celebrate the successes from 2023, having served 819 small business owners from across the U.S. and Canada, with cohorts consisting of 88% BIPOC-owned and 64% women-owned firms. ICCC is proud of its growing network of more than 7,000 small businesses. Read more about ICCC’s regional and international impact in the recently published 2023 Impact Report and overview.
Program Structure
The ICCC Program is delivered across four components designed to introduce key business concepts, provide targeted and actionable strategies, and equip participants with personalized deliverables to position them for long-term growth. The self-paced nature of the program allows business owners to complete their 40 hours across a five-month period, incorporating both scheduled and on-demand content to accommodate the busy schedules of our entrepreneurs.
Opening Seminar
The ICCC program begins with an interactive opening seminar where top-flight business professors present on our four pillars: Finance, Strategy, Marketing, and Talent Management. This event is also an invaluable opportunity for participants to network with other small businesses in their area. Learn more here!
One-On-One Coaching
Participants receive one-on-one general business and capital coaching to provide individualized guidance and help them prepare to access much-needed capital. Learn more here!
Digital Learning Series
The Digital Learning Series incorporates webinars and online learning modules designed to deepen the learnings from the Opening Seminar with both actionable resources and personalized education. Learn more here!
Annual Capstone Event
The Annual Capstone Event is a culminating series of events bringing together ICCC program participants to build strategies of resilience, sharpen their capital pitch, and connect with a growing network of like-minded entrepreneurs and capital providers.
The 2023 ICIC Annual Conference was hosted in-person in Miami, FL, and brought in over 500 guests, including ICCC participants, alumni, partners, Inner City 100 Award winners, and more! Learn more about the 2023 ICIC AnCon here!
“It was truly edifying to receive well organized, actionable information that met us where we were! I am certain this training and resources provided will lead to desperately needed growth. Keep up the great work.”
Izzie LLC – 2022 ICCC Detroit Participant
Who We Serve
ICCC works with small- and medium-sized businesses from under-resourced communities across all industries, with a focus on supporting BIPOC-, women-, veteran-, and immigrant-owned businesses.
A business must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for participation in ICCC: *
- Be an independent, for-profit or non-profit corporation, partnership or proprietorship.
- Have its headquarters or more than 51% of its physical operations located in an economically-distressed area OR have more than 40% of employees residing in an economically-distressed area.
- Have revenues for the past three years, and a minimum of $150,000 in at least one of those years
- Have been in operation for three years or more and must be past the proof-of-concept stage. ICCC does not accept start-up companies.
*On a case-by-case basis, ICCC will consider businesses that do not meet all of the specified criteria on the recommendation of a nominator.
Know of any businesses that fit this profile? If so, NOMINATE them today and encourage them to apply!
Does your business fit this profile? If so, APPLY today!
For questions regarding the nomination process or eligibility, contact us at (617) 238-3019 or iccc@icic.org.
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Where We're Headed in 2024
The ICCC program is offered in cities across the United States and Canada.
| Connecticut | Western MA |
| Boston, MA | Latinx |
| Chicago, IL | Canada – Equal Slice |
| Memphis, TN | Miami, FL |
| New Jersey | Shreveport, LA |
| Dallas, TX |