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BECOME

LEADING

BECOME Accelerator

Welcome to the Urban Impact’s Business education services where we empower black businesses and entrepreneurs to BECOME their best selves. Our business educational services offer three distinct cohorts designed to meet you where you are and propel you to new heights. Let’s explore the journey:

BECOME

BECOME

BECOME 1.0 (Lead) - Building Foundations

Embark on a 12-week transformative experience tailored for business owners seeking foundational assistance. Guided by our Start Spark curriculum, Lead is facilitated by experts and a dedicated coach. Over this period, participants delve into crucial aspects of business formation, messaging, branding, marketing, operations, and financial understanding. The goal at the end of LEAD is for business owners to have a solid framework for their business plan, ready to be applied strategically.

Apply for Lead

BECOME 2.0 (Build) - Scaling Established Businesses and Systems

Each participant will be paired with a facilitator and coach who will provide personal guidance. By the end of the program, participants will be eligible for special incentives and invited to participate in a pitch-style competition.
Apply for Build

BECOME 3.0 (Grow) - Legacy and Succession

Tailored for business owners with a decade or more of active business, BE BHM Grow is a 6-week program focused on growth and succession planning. Delve into a targeted curriculum addressing the nuances of succession in a dynamic and changing economy. Beyond learning curves, participants are equipped with strategies for capital growth aligned with economic patterns. The goal at the end of GROW is a concrete and applicable succession plan, ready for the next 5-10 years.
Apply for Grow

Whether you’re laying the foundation, scaling an established business, or planning for the future, Urban Impact’s BECOME program is your catalyst for success. Join us on this  journey and unlock the full potential of your business

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BECOME

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FAQS

FAQS

HOW IS THE PROGRAM DESIGNED?

This accelerator is an intensive 12-week program designed to empower and kickstart business owners into growing their business. We intentionally try to meet the demanding schedules of every day working people, plus we don’t expect you to have any prior entrepreneurial experience. Each week, participants will attend an in-person class on Tuesdays from 6pm-8pm. There, they will meet with their peers and facilitators to work through the course material that applies directly to their business. Although a curriculum is given, we do understand that every business need and design is different which is where our facilitators play their key role in individualizing their lesson plans to cater to the business serving. We gather so that all participants can build community, visualize and learn how their peers work through challenges and see successful black entrepreneurs in our region.

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE A BUSINESS IDEA?

We ask that you wait until you have inspiration and a business idea before you join our accelerator program. Due to us moving quickly and focusing on tangible outcomes, those without a business idea won’t take much out of this program. Once you have a business idea that inspires you enough to make it your life’s work, we are here to help.

WHAT IS THE COST OF THE PROGRAM?

All participants are asked to pay a $125 Attendance and coursework fee, which is basically asking for “skin in the game.” We put a lot of time and effort into creating these experiences and want you to share that passion, offering completely free classes has resulted in a lot of registrations and poor attendance. We’re hoping this gives yet one more reason to attend the full length of classes.

WILL EVERYONE BE EXPECTED TO START A BUSINESS?

Absolutely not! We’ve helped many potential business owners avoid catastrophic failure and personal financial loss by thoroughly vetting ideas before major financial or time investments. Our goal is to reduce your risk and improve your likelihood of success, and sometimes, that means NOT starting a business that isn’t poised to take-off. We would love to see all participants successfully start their own businesses, but each person is different, and each business idea is unique. We are here to support, guide and ultimately want to see the best for our community which includes YOU.

WHAT IF I DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT BUSINESS?

Not a problem, we can help! This program is designed to help regular people explore and establish businesses in Birmingham- specifically the historical civil rights district. We do ask that you have a business idea that you want to explore, but other than that, we are simply looking for motivated individuals with a passion to follow and a desire to create generational wealth for themselves, their community, and their family.

Urban Impact, Inc.

We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Birmingham, AL.
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© 2022 Urban Impact, Inc. All rights reserved.
1721 4th Avenue North, Suite 102, Birmingham, AL 35203
Email: info@urbanimpactbirmingham.org
Phone: (205) 328-1850
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