Annapolis Patch Highlights Third Inclusive Ventures Program

January 27, 2022

Annapolis Patch highlighted the Inclusive Ventures Program (IVP) in the following article:

Anne Arundel Small Businesses Eligible For Company Growth Course

The article reported on the opening of applications for the third round of the initiative, which was launched in January 2021 and aims to help small and minority-, woman-, and Veteran-owned businesses in Anne Arundel County succeed and grow by providing their owners with the resources that early-stage entrepreneurs so often lack: business education and training, access to capital, and mentorship.

It also listed five of the 21 businesses that have participated in the program and included congratulatory remarks delivered by County Executive Steuart Pittman when the second cohort graduated, in November 2021.

Here’s the full article:

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Anne Arundel County officials on Monday invited some small businesses to apply to its company growth class. The initiative supports local entrepreneurs with an educational course and a $5,000 grant.

This is the third round of the effort, called the Inclusive Ventures Program. The Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation launched the push in January 2021. Ever since, it has lent a hand to entrepreneurs who often lack economic coaching.

“The program … aims to help small and minority-, woman-, and Veteran-owned businesses in #AnneArundelCounty succeed and grow by providing their owners with … business education and training, access to capital, and mentorship,” the AAEDC said on Facebook.

A total of 21 businesses have already graduated from the Inclusive Ventures Program. Some of the previous participants include:

Cake Artista (Edgewater)
Calming Mind Massage (Severn)
Center for Health Educators and Safety Specialists (Glen Burnie)
Davy Dance Academy, LLC (Annapolis)
Magothy Payments, Inc. (Severna Park)

“It’s so important for us to promote and encourage small and minority-owned businesses in this county,” County Executive Steuart Pittman stated in November after the last group graduated. “Their success and growth is key to creating intergenerational wealth, and IVP is a tremendous program that provides business owners with the training and resources that can help make that happen.”

The initiative prefers entrepreneurs who generate revenue, employ workers and have been in business for at least two years.

Acceptees will participate in the Virtual Entrepreneurship Cohort and Seed Fund. This includes six three-hour online classes. These meetings are once a week. Participants will present a business plan after the last course.

Applications are due by Monday, Jan. 31 at 5 p.m.

To learn more or apply, click here.

Learn more about Anne’s Arundel’s IVP.
Listen to and watch AAEDC’s podcast about IVP.

Annapolis & Anne Arundel Patch Cover AAEDC 2021 New Business Numbers »

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Annapolis Patch Highlights Third Inclusive Ventures Program

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