YOU MUST COMPLETE THE APPLICATION LINKED BELOW IN ORDER TO APPLY

CLICK HERE TO APPLY TO THE 2024 SCALE UP! LA – LAFAYETTE COHORT

Please note that this is a multiple-day training series and cannot be split.

Scale Up! Louisiana is a statewide, community-based, entrepreneurial education intensive hosted by Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. This program provides early-stage, women- and minority-owned firms with the education and resources needed for scalability and profitability.

In order to participate, entrepreneurs must commit to a hybrid business education program that is delivered via:

• 4, 2.5-hour In-Person Class Sessions (Sessions 1, 4, 9, 10)
• 6, 2.5-hour web class sessions, and
• 5, 45-minute pre-recorded web sessions.

Participants must also commit to utilizing additional resources and services to support their business outside of curriculum, including: counseling sessions, technical assistance, business plan assignments, and meetings with an assigned business advisor.

The Urban League of Louisiana is working to increase access to entrepreneurship training in the communities that it serves, based on the challenges, opportunities, and small business development needs that are unique to selected communities across the state of Louisiana. This cohort is specifically designed to support businesses in Lafayette and surrounding areas.

Eligibility Criteria: In order to participate, small businesses must:

• Be located in Lafayette and surrounding parishes and in operation for at least 2 years
• Have at least $30,000 in documented revenue for the previous tax year
• Have a desire to scale
• Have access to the internet and a computer with a camera at home

Up to 30 business owners from the Lafayette area will be selected. Participants will be chosen based on 1.) the applicant’s ability to meet the eligibility requirements; 2.) the growth potential of the business; and 3.) the applicant’s desire to learn and grow in an interactive, online environment.

This series is sponsored by the Louisiana Economic Development’s Small and Emerging Business Development Program. To participate, attendees must be or become certified through the LED Small and Emerging Business Development Program. Visit https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/program/small-and-emerging-business-development-program to get certified today!

Classes will take place February 27-April 23, 2024 with a hybrid schedule. Sessions 1, 4, 9, and 10 will take place in-person on Tuesdays, 5:30pm-8:00pm, at the Downtown Convention Center, 124 S. Buchanan Street, Lafayette, LA 70501. All other sessions will take place on Fridays, 9:30am-12:00pm, virtually.

ScaleUp! Louisiana – Lafayette! 2024 Class Schedule

• Tuesday, February 27 | Session 1: Orientation + Meet the Entrepreneurs
• Friday, March 1 | Session 2: Creating a Scalable Business Model
• Friday, March 8 | Session 3: Innovative Growth and Scalability Strategies
• Tuesday, March12 | Session 4: The Personal and Business Finances of the Entrepreneur
• Friday, March 15 | Session 5: Marketing for Growth
• Friday, March 22 |Session 6: Winning and Keeping Customers
• Friday, April 5 | Session 7: Pricing Strategy
• Friday, April 12 | Session 8: How to Hire and Keep Good Employees
• Tuesday, April 16 | Session 9: Becoming Bankable: Preparing to Access Capital
• Tuesday, April 23 | Session 10: The Scale Up! Louisiana Plan of Action

YOU MUST COMPLETE THE APPLICATION LINKED BELOW IN ORDER TO APPLY

CLICK HERE TO APPLY TO THE 2024 SCALE UP! LA – LAFAYETTE COHORT

Applications are now being accepted. The deadline to apply is Friday, February 16.

If you should have any questions, please email us at [email protected].