Photo taken from the Spring 2023 Idea Incubator Pitch & Brew |
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Congratulations to the Spring 2023 Idea Incubator Cohort! Last week, ASSETS hosted Pitch and Brew night, marking the culmination of weeks of training and honing their business models. It was an incredible sight to see the cohort present their business idea pitches in front of their loved ones, the ASSETS team, and the Pitch & Brew feedback panel. This milestone is a testament to the hard work and dedication of each participant who embarked on the transformative 10-week Idea Incubator program at ASSETS. Throughout the program, they delved into crucial topics such as business finances, marketing strategies, research, and the essence of being a social enterprise. It's truly inspiring to witness the progress of these budding entrepreneurs, as many of them are now operating or preparing to launch their businesses. We applaud the Spring 2023 Idea Incubator cohort and wish them continued success on their entrepreneurial journey! |
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MORE ABOUT THE IDEA INCUBATOR:
The Idea Incubator provides a 10-week business development course for local entrepreneurs. This unique program offers an interactive and conversational way for a group of aspiring entrepreneurs to learn and work through the early stages of the business planning process while creating the types of positive relationships and networking essential for small business owners. Upon completion, participants will leave with a solid business model, an outline for community impact, an understanding of what their next steps are, and an understanding of foundational business models like developing a minimum viable product and a target market.
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ASSETS is a proud partner of
the U.S. Small Business Administration.
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→ what you might have MISSED
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ASSETS and Community First Fund Hosts Community Leaders to Discuss the Importance of CDFIs |
ASSETS' CEO, Jaime Arroyo, and Business Development Officer, Kevin Nofziger, together with Community First Fund's President and CEO, Daniel Betancourt, and Senior Vice President for Development and Impact, Lydia Walker, organized a walking tour of Lancaster City for community leaders and members from the PA CDFI network. The community members who participated included Senator Ryan Aument and his staff, representatives from Representative Mike Sturla's office, and representatives from Senator Scott Martin's office. During the tour, the group discussed the crucial role of CDFIs and the transformational capital they bring in creating vibrancy in our downtowns.
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The tour group pays a visit to Chyatee, a clothing boutique, owned by local entrepreneur Timbrel Chyatee
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The tour group in front of Southern Market, home to ASSETS, on the corner of South Queen St. and Vine St. |
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DID YOU KNOW ASSETS IS A CDFI?
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIS) share a common goal of expanding economic opportunity in low-income communities by providing access to financial products and services for local residents and businesses. As a CDFI, our primary function is to provide equitable access to financing by expanding economic opportunity for underserved people. Historically, women and BIPOC entrepreneurs have faced barriers to accessing capital, networking, and capacity educational opportunities; at ASSETS we work to level the playing field through our core programming.
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ASSETS is a proud member of the PA CDFI Network
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ASSETS' CEO, Jaime Arroyo, Speaks at Climate Summit on Earth Day |
Jaime Arroyo, ASSETS' CEO, pictured with Eric Sauder, founder of RegenAll, spoke and presented at the RegenAll Climate Summit on Earth Day about incubating climate-responsible businesses through ASSETS' unique Impact strategy tools, such as the MVI "minimum viable impact" for start-up businesses, and our award-winning Impact Loan, which incentivizes small businesses to measure their social and environmental impact.
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Cultural Meal Events: Experience Africa
April 14th – June 9th
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Neighbors Cafe hopes to provide opportunities to the immigrant community in the food industry. There are so many barriers to new Americans, especially as entrepreneurs, their goal is to eliminate as many barriers as they can by providing a space and a way for them to start.
Another goal of Neighbors Cafe is to build awareness of cultures around the world, and bridges between those cultures and Lancaster County natives.
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Lancaster Business Growth Conference: Keys to Success
June 20th | 5 - 7 PM
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During this growth conference, you will learn about various topics, which can help grow your business and take it to the next level. Topics that will be covered are international trade, social media, finance, SBA, ASSETS, and insight from fellow small business owners followed by Q&A.
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Founders First Small Business Grant |
Founders First CDC PA/NJ Job Creators will provide a total of $100,000 to 25 diverse-led businesses in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The Founders First Job Creators Quest Grant is one of many ways small businesses can apply for the capital needed to grow. As part of their mission to provide continued education to founders, all grant recipients also receive a scholarship to one of their acclaimed accelerator programs. Grant money can be used as growth capital to hire or rehire premium wage jobs. Cash infusion can be used to purchase, fix or enhance equipment necessary to help manage growth challenges and scale for the future.
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Transforming Communities Through Business
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