YOU MUST COMPLETE THE APPLICATION LINKED BELOW IN ORDER TO APPLY

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

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. The spring 2024 cohort is sponsored by First Horizon, Louisiana Economic Development, and the *U.S. Small Business Adminstration.

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 New Orleans and surrounding areas.

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

• Be located in New Orleans 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 New Orleans 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.

To participate, attendees must be or become certified through Louisiana Economic Development’s 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 May 7-June 25, 2024 with a hybrid schedule. Sessions 1, 4, 9, and 10 will take place in-person on Tuesdays, 6:00pm-8:30pm, at the Urban League of Louisiana Headquarters, 4640 S. Carrolton Ave., Suite 110, New Orleans, LA 70119. All other sessions will take place on Fridays, 9:30am-12:00pm, virtually.

ScaleUp! Louisiana – New Orleans! 2024 Class Schedule

• Tuesday, May 7 | Session 1: Orientation + Meet the Entrepreneurs
• Friday, May 10 | Session 2: Creating a Scalable Business Model
• Friday, May 17| Session 3: Innovative Growth and Scalability Strategies
• Tuesday, May 21 | Session 4: The Personal and Business Finances of the Entrepreneur
• Friday, May 24 | Session 5: Marketing for Growth
• Friday, May 31 |Session 6: Winning and Keeping Customers
• Friday, June 7 | Session 7: Pricing Strategy
• Friday, June 14 | Session 8: How to Hire and Keep Good Employees
• Tuesday, June 18 | Session 9: Becoming Bankable: Preparing to Access Capital
• Tuesday, June 25 | Session 10: The Scale Up! Louisiana Plan of Action

*Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

YOU MUST COMPLETE THE APPLICATION LINKED BELOW IN ORDER TO APPLY

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

Applications are now being accepted. The deadline to apply is April 26, 2024.

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