Urban Launch School @ The U

Finally, an accelerator for the mainstream, minority-owned, small businesses

The Urban Launch School Accelerator is a full 12-week accelerator walking entrepreneurs through taking a business from idea to launch. The experience will include specific workshops around being a black or brown led business and overcoming hurdles faced in the entrepreneurial journey. Each week will focus on a different area of business until eventually getting to a place of launch readiness. Participants have an opportunity to receive micro grants and business services totaling in over $35,000.

Full Overview Of Accelerator

The Urban Launch School Accelerator is a full 12-week accelerator walking individuals through taking a business from ideation to launch. Each week, participants will explore different aspects of business and apply it to their own business idea. Our focus is bridging the gap of education and access for black and Latinx businesses. We teach proven business practices while hyper-focusing on catering the experience to provide a culturally competent environment addressing historical barriers often overlooked.

Only 3% of total Venture Capital funding (around $85 billion) last year went to minority businesses, and for people of color, the amount was a meager 1%. According to USA Today, an average of 40% of businesses owned by people of color fail each year. With the cause stemming from generational and historic inequality and inequities leading to deep rooted mental instability, psychological oppression and lack of access to critical resources.

In response, we aim to fill the gaps of access that urban entrepreneurs face when trying to receive training, resources, and funds -while giving room to thrive in a culturally inclusive environment. Because mental health can be a barrier to launching successful businesses, The U is created as a safe space for People of Color to ask the questions they are too afraid to ask in other settings. We understand standard business training is just not enough and strive to offer all the needed ancillary support, that is, mental and physical health training, to elevate small businesses as vital contributors to our economy. Black entrepreneurship requires as much support and funding as any other venture. Participants have an opportunity to receive micro grants and business services totaling in over $35,000.

Our goal is to offer culturally competent education, access to funding, and resources to entrepreneurs of color and existing ventures, including corner shops, small restaurants, studios, salons, fashion and lifestyle services, and other unconventional ventures traditionally overlooked by mainstream funds and engagement.

See Agenda

Agenda

PHASE 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS

WEEK ONE: INTRO TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Workshops:

ULS Declassified - Overview of program and basics of entrepreneurships

Dolphin Tank - Initial business pitch
WEEK TWO: MIND YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

Workshops:

Talk the Talk: Decoding Entrepreneurship - Overview of business language and elevator pitch formation

Color of Business - Overcoming barriers while being a POC entrepreneur
WEEK THREE: BUSINESS MODEL FUNDAMENTALS

Workshops:

What Kind Of Business Are You - Forming and filing your business strategically

Funadamentals of Business Model - Establishing a strategic and profitable business model
WEEK FOUR: MARKET RESEARCH & SALES

Workshops:

Breaking Down Market Research - Establishing a scalable demand for your business model & Identifying target market

Sell Me This Pen - Sales strategy and techniques
WEEK FIVE: ALL ABOUT STRATEGY

Workshops:

All About The Price Tag - Pricing strategy and identifying your value

Legal & Business Exit - Protecting your business and strategizing development
WEEK SIX: BUILD A BRAND BOOTCAMP PT 1

Workshops:

Branding Breakthroughs - Identify brand needs and strategy

Brand Development Field Trip - Learn hands on branding tools from professionals and get their insight

PHASE 2: PREPPING FOR GROWTH

WEEK SEVEN: BUILD A BRAND BOOTCAMP PART 2

Workshops:

Marketing Magic - Develop a marketing plan for your business and learn strategy

Marketing Field Trip - Learn hands on experience and marketing strategies
WEEK EIGHT: BRAND AWARENESS & CUSTOMER SERVICE

Workshops:

Leveraging Your Social Media - Learn social media strategies for marketing your business

Customer Service Workshop - Learn tools for establishing trust and good relationships with customers to build memorable experiences
WEEK NINE: THAT'S LAW

Workshops:

Business Insurance - Understanding how to protect your business in practice

Regulations and Contracts - Know what contracts are needed to do business

Protecting Your Assets - Going over IP and protecting business assets
WEEK TEN: BUSINESS PLANS & FUNDING

Workshops:

Business Plan - Developing a strategic business plan

Funding Your Business - Learn funding sources and strategies that fit your business model

Light Day - Pitching to potential investors
WEEK ELEVEN: PLAN, MIX & MINGLE

Workshops:

Meet & Greet - Meet & network with business professionals who are key to the business development ecosystem

Pitch Prep & Overview - Prep for final pitch competition
WEEK TWELVE: PITCHING BUSINESS MODELS

Workshops:

Pitch Practice - Final pitch prep competition

Pitch Competition & Graduation Ceremony - Final Pitch Competition & Graduation