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M&T Bank is looking for as many as 40 entrepreneurs to participate in its first Capital Region Multicultural Small Business Innovation Lab – a program designed to provide multicultural business owners with the guidance and skills needed to build strong businesses, spur economic growth for Harrisburg’s Capital Region and help build generational wealth for their families.
The new six-week program, in partnership with Harrisburg University of Science and Technology’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), will focus on business planning, establishing credit, accessing capital, marketing, branding and networking and conclude with a pitch competition and opportunity to win grants up to $5,000 funded by M&T, according to a press release. The Innovation Lab launches May 5 with weekly courses held at Harrisburg University through June 9.
Entrepreneurs interested in participating in the program must complete an online application by Apr. 25 and meet the following eligibility requirements:
– Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx or Asian American.
– In business no more than three years.
– Annual business revenue of $350,000 or less.
Qualified applicants will be enrolled in the free program on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Capital Region Multicultural Small Business Innovation Lab is an outcome of focus group meetings M&T Bank held with various multicultural community leaders who described the challenges their communities face when launching and growing their businesses in the region.
“The Multicultural Small Business Innovation Lab is all about providing access to the information and tools entrepreneurs need to accelerate the growth of their businesses and empowering them to do so,” said Nora Habig, M&T Bank’s regional president for Central and Western Pennsylvania.
“The program’s curriculum was intentionally developed to create an environment that helps multicultural small businesses overcome obstacles to success, and we look forward to partnering with Harrisburg University to offer it in the Capital Region.”
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