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The Minority Business Development (MBD) program is for potential entrepreneurs with an idea or business concept (pre-start-up-stage) and minority business owners whose companies have been in business less than one year.

Program

• 6 - 8 potential entrepreneurs selected
• Three hours per week over ten weeks classroom time
• Subject matter experts present topics relevant to start a business
• Outside experiential homework
• Features Lean Launch and Business Model Canvas business concepts

Eligibility

• Pre-business or in business less than one year
• Willing to commit 30 hours of classroom time and additional outside work

Benefits

• Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a small participant stipend and compete for in-kind prizes at the final pitch competition

The Melton Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Mitchell College of Business at the University of South ³ÉÈË¿ì²¥, collaborating with the City of Mobile, Innovation Portal, Mobile Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Development Center have started a new Minority Business Development (MBD) program, focused on minority entrepreneurs (pre-start-up stage) with conceptual business ideas to complement our existing Minority Business Accelerator (MBA) program. Our goal is to increase the impact in our community by growing feeder programs in the ecosystem, like the MBD. MBD graduates will be eligible to apply for the MBA, Emerging Leaders (supported by SBA), and Real Advice Mentoring programs (supported by MIT).

Minority is defined by federal guidelines: 51% owned, operated and controlled by African American, Hispanic, Asian or Native American.