Loudoun County small business owners are encouraged to apply for the upcoming cohort of the FireUp Business Mentoring and Coaching Program, a program designed to set your business up for success in the digital era.
The open application period runs from January 12-26, and applications will be considered in the order that they are submitted online. Learn more and apply at grants.ureeka.biz/fireup-program.
The cohort brings together businesses from the region in partnership with Loudoun County, Prince William County, the City of Alexandria, Fairfax County and the Community Foundation of Northern Virginia.
The program is operated by Ureeka, an inclusive online community of entrepreneurs providing resources that are tailored to female and minority-owned small businesses.
“Loudoun County is dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs with the resources and coaching that they need to be successful, and this is a great opportunity for traditionally underserved communities,” Loudoun Economic Development Executive Director Buddy Rizer explained. “We expect an enthusiastic response to this opportunity, and we’re counting on these business leaders becoming the next #LoudounPossible success stories.”
Participants in the program will gain access to expertise across business strategy, marketing and finance, which may not typically be available to businesses of this size.
Designed to create an ongoing support structure, this cohort encourages business owners to build a network of peers and coaches that will help fuel their growth. Of those who have completed this program in the past, 80% see at least 50% revenue growth.
To be eligible to apply, business owners must:
- Have a for-profit business, actively in business since January 2020, with at least $1 in revenue;
- Have fewer than 25 employees;
- Be located in the City of Alexandria, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, or Prince William County;
- Be willing to dedicate four hours per month to training – 90% attendance is required;
- Agree to use best efforts to focus and execute the guidance and learnings from the program, on your business, to help ignite growth;
- Agree to participate in surveys and data collection from time to time.
“In addition to this opportunity, Loudoun Economic Development is working on a wide array of programming to support the entrepreneurial community,” Loudoun’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Manager Danelle Hayer said. “Entrepreneurs were among the most vulnerable during the COVID-19 economic downturn, and we think programs like this can really move the needle during our economic regrowth.”
Learn more and apply at grants.ureeka.biz/fireup-program.
