SPRINGFIELD — The city, in collaboration with Valley Venture Mentors and Interise, is bringing back the RiseUp Springfield small business curriculum.
RiseUp Springfield had successful classes in 2017 and 2019, but the city halted them due to COVID-19, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said in a statement.
RiseUp is scheduled to start in March and applications are now being accepted. Interested small businesses can begin applying online immediately by visiting programs.interise.org/springfield/
RiseUp Springfield is a six-month program that helps small business owners improve, maintain and grow their businesses. Teaches business owners how to scale and expand their business using the award-winning StreetWise MBA™ curriculum.
Eligible businesses must be three years in operation, generating $150K-$10M in revenue with at least one full-time, non-owner employee. Companies must be located in Springfield or connected with Valley Venture Mentors.
“Valley Venture Mentors is committed to expanding opportunities for successful business building and business ownership to build a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, a vibrant city and a thriving local economy,” said Hope Ross Gibaldi, CEO of Valley Venture Mentors. “We are thrilled to partner with the City of Springfield Office of Planning and Economic Development to offer this executive-level educational experience to build the capacity of our most promising small business owners.”
Bernard Johnson, Director of Programs for Interise said the City of Springfield’s commitment to building an inclusive ecosystem is exceptional.
“RiseUp is a critical component in ensuring business owners in the city are connected to opportunities while building capacity. Interise looks forward to the return of this transformative program and to seeing local Springfield businesses build confidence while creating a path to success.”
RiseUp also prepares people to pursue opportunities with some of our great institutions by exposing them to the processes, strategies and requirements needed to become a successful provider and connecting them with the Anchor Collaborative of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council, he said.
Sarno said city officials are pleased and excited to bring this program back for small businesses in Springfield.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, our biggest job creators, and we know how valuable taking a small business to the next level can be,” Sarno said.
Translated by Elizabeth Román for El Pueblo Latino
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