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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 as well as survive the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I can’t wait to get back and start to reorganize and build structure for my employees and have a better customer satisfaction.”

Horchateria Rio Luna, 2017 ICCC Los Angeles Participant

Since 2005, our program has evolved to meet the changing needs of small business owners across the nation. We know that small businesses, especially those in under-resourced communities, have been hit the hardest by the COVID-19 crisis, and now, more than ever, are in need of capacity-building education, one-on-one coaching, and access to capital, fundamental components of the ICCC program.

The 2022 ICCC program will prioritize business recovery strategies, as well as focus on the tools needed for businesses to incorporate their strategic pivots into their long-term business plan and strategy. Participants will gain the following key takeaways:

From 2005-2020, 4,795 ICCC alumni have averaged 115% growth in revenue, raised $2.35 billion in capital, and created 23,674 jobs in their communities. Read more about ICCC’s regional and national impact in the recently published 2021 Impact Report and overview.

“This opportunity has put to mind all the things we have tried to accomplish but didn’t know how!”

Eggroll Café, 2017 ICCC Boston Participant

Program Structure

The ICCC Program is divided into four components designed to maximize the participant’s experience and accommodate their busy schedules.

• Opening Seminar: Two virtual half-day sessions where top-flight business professors present on business recovery strategies
• Digital Learning Series: Virtual learning sessions to deepen the learnings from the Opening Seminar and offer timely and relevant information
• Individual Coaching: One-on-one general business and capital coaching to provide individualized guidance and prepare to access much-needed capital
• Annual Conference: Culminating conference bringing together participants from across the country to build strategies of resilience, sharpen their capital pitch, and connect with a growing network of like-minded entrepreneurs and capital providers

“This is a well-run program. The seminar was a great beginning to address my business needs, and I am extremely grateful to be a part of this initiative.”

Brown Farmer Media Group, 2018 ICCC Chicago 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.

Where We’re Headed in 2022

ICCC is a national program offered in cities across the United States and Canada. See below for the list of virtual cohorts that we’ve started or will be offering in 2022! If you don’t see your specific city listed, select the closest city/region to you!