***UPDATE***

We are issuing a last call to nominate your small business to participate in this year’s program in Washington, DC (sessions begin in September 2019). Contact us for more information. Note: This call to nominate is for small businesses within our network only (former or current clients, strategic alliances and partners, and ATS subscribers). Thank you!

The Catholic University of America hosted the Inner City Capital Connections 2019 Program launch on the school’s campus yesterday. Held in partnership with the university’s Busch School of Business and its Ciocca Center for Principled Entrepreneurship, the event drew local businesses, entrepreneurs, District government representatives and nonprofit organizations, who gathered to learn more about the upcoming program for Washington, DC businesses.

The Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) Program is a signature initiative of the Boston-based nonprofit Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, designed to support small businesses in major U.S. cities through an intensive 40-hour program that works with participants to build capacity, increase revenue, and tackle challenges that inhibit growth. The kickoff began with a welcome by John Garvey, president of The Catholic University of America, who said that “investing in our cities…is the neighborly thing to do.”

Steve Grossman, Initiative for a Competitive Inner City CEO, said that the ICCC is a means of ensuring “inclusive prosperity” for entrepreneurs, with the ultimate goal of providing resources for companies to “grow and flourish.” Mr. Grossman also intimated that the program’s success measures are defined by companies’ revenue growth, good paying jobs they are able to offer, and sustainability.

According to Brian Becker, Director of Small Business Outreach for the Ciocca Center, DC businesses in the ICCC program are “already doing good work in the city” and that participation allows them to “learn on the fly what the next steps should be” to grow their companies.

Ronnette Meyers, founder and CEO of JLAN Solutions, shared how participation in the 2017 ICCC cohort gave her the tools to pursue new contracts, expand the business and surpass revenue goals. Taryn Watford, a current senior in the business school, shared her experiences attending the 2018 ICCC national conference, including influencing the way she now thinks about entrepreneurship and her own career goals.

Detailing the program structure, Diego Portillo Mazal emphasized that participating businesses will engage with subject matter experts and one another through four program pillars: the national conference, opening seminar, one-on-one coaching and webinars. Mr. Mazal, who serves as the Director of ICCC, announced that the 2019 ICCC Washington, DC Program opening seminar will be held on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at Catholic University.

Related Links

Inner City Capital Connections: Nominate a company or apply for the 2019 ICCC program

ICCC 2018 Impact Report: Read the report

The Busch School of Business at CUA: Learn more about their programs

Editor’s Note: We are pleased to be a Nominating Partner for the 2019 ICCC Program. Let us nominate your business.

About the Author: Kesi Stribling

About ATS: Since its original debut in 2004 as Midweek Musings, ASK THE STRATEGIST is a blog that highlights information on business, entrepreneurship, careers and the workplace, the economy, health, community, and women. Any content or advice dispensed through Ask The Strategist is solely for informational and entertainment purposes. All content, unless otherwise noted, is the property of Ask the Strategist and its affiliates, and may not be re-published without express written permission from the Editor.