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 cool thing, we decided to do a virtual cohort! 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. This accelerator will include online materials, homework and virtual workshops to participate in. Although we do not have a pitch competition for virtual participants, you will have an opportunity to showcase you business and raise funds at the end of the program!

Building sustainable urban business, one entrepreneur at a time

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Culturally

Competent

Curriculum

We provide curriculum and training from a cultural perspective to make sure we offer the most competent experience.

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Mindfulness & Culture Specific Workshops

We provide workshops that focus on the mental and cultural aspects of being a black and brown person in business.

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Fundraising Opportunity

Each participant will have an opportunity at the end to showcase their business and participate in a cohort fundraising virtual campaign.

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Access

Top

Experts

We pulled together the best in midwest and beyond to offer trainings, workshops, mentorships and more. It's important to provide resources, mentorships, and funding opportunities to our participants.

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. Virtual participants will get a similar experience to the traditional in-person ULS cohort and have opportunities to interact with the 2023 Spring ULS in-person attendees. Each week, participants will explore different aspects of business and apply it to their own business idea. Our focus is to bridge 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.


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.


Each week, you will learn something different in business. You will be expected to apply learned principles to your business. All workshops will be held in the evening times and recorded for individuals to look back on. Homework will be uploaded and submitted through a virtual portal.


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 

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED! Apply below.

For a limited time, we are accepting online applications for our pilot virtual accelerator. The program will cost $249 upon acceptance. Payment plans available.

APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED