Hands-on 12-month business acceleration program provides cohort members with full access to mentors, business curricula, growth resources and capital connections .
NEW YORK, June 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announced that applications for the 2024 cohort of the EY Entrepreneurs Access Network (EAN) program are open to Black and Hispanic/Latino entrepreneurs looking to put their businesses on the the path to large-scale growth. growth. Applications are open now until August 31, 2023.
Despite systemic financial and institutional barriers, Black and Hispanic/Latino entrepreneurs are a major economic forcegenerating 700 billion dollars In income. Over the past decade, Black and Hispanic/Latino-led businesses have launched more than one million new businesses worldwide. United Statesleading to millions of net new jobs.1 THE free The accelerator program was founded in 2019 as an extension of EY’s current entrepreneurship programs, which include producing the Entrepreneur Of The Year® program for nearly 40 years and EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ for more than 15 years old. EAN was designed to help bridge the disparity gap that exists between Black and Hispanic/Latino entrepreneurs, who are critical to the nation’s growth and economic success.
EAN offers direct involvement and coaching from EY leaders; a program focused on key business areas such as marketing, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and cybersecurity; and connections with potential investors, alliances, suppliers and customers. Since 2020, EAN-affiliated entrepreneurs have raised more than $25.7 million in financing. Last year’s cohort benefited from 3,325 mentoring hours and 400 one-on-one business development meetings through various networking events and community sessions.
“We need to continue to help businesses and their allies understand that working with emerging Black and Hispanic/Latino businesses is good business strategy, not charity,” says Nit Reeder, EY Program Director, EAN. “Our EAN program serves as a platform to showcase the contributions of these companies to our civic and business landscapes. The growth and success we have seen in those who have completed the program demonstrates how far we can all go to break down the barriers that exist for these entrepreneurial communities.
More information on program requirements can be found below.
What: EAN is designed to be a manageable 12 month program for busy executives. The platform includes assessments, one-on-one coaching, a personalized curriculum based on needs, access to online tools and networking events, and promotional exposure.
When: Applications are being accepted now via August 31, 2023. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance on a rolling basis beginning in December.
WHO: Applicants must meet the following criteria: Black or Hispanic/Latino business owners who are founding CEOs and majority owners of any US-based private for-profit company. Business must be over two years old and 51% Black or Hispanic/Latino owned.
How: Candidates who meet the criteria can apply online at ey.com/ean. The accelerator is free and there is no cost to apply.
Quotes from EY Entrepreneur Access Network participants:
“I am very grateful for the knowledge I gained through the EY Entrepreneur Access Network and for investing in me as a founder,” said Javier Diaz, co-founder of OSI Engineering, a workforce technology solutions company. “The access, resources and support I received helped me grow as a leader and grow my business. In fact, I’m so supportive of the program that I’m now a member of the EAN Alumni Advisory Board.
“In creating Vontélle Eyewear, my business partner and I were hyper-focused on the ‘why’ and realized there was something missing in the market. Our focus was personal and we needed a network that understood our mission,” said Nancy Harris, co-founder and COO of Vontélle Eyewear. “As a Black and women-owned business, the EAN program provided the leadership and connections necessary to help us recognize and realize our value. »
“The EAN program is a powerful resource for my tech business,” said paola santana, founder and CEO of GLASS, a company that provides e-commerce solutions to governments to meet their procurement needs. “We have ambitious plans to reach 19,000 U.S. local governments with our pioneering government marketplace, GLASS Commerce. Being part of EAN and being able to take advantage of coaching and networking is very helpful in expanding our reach and mission.
For more information, please visit ey.com/ean.
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1 US Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
SOURCEEY
