2022-2023 INITIATIVES

Business Blitz

The Business Blitz is a three-week bootcamp that helps new and existing entrepreneurs learn how to legitimize, digitize, and capitalize in business. For the 2022-2023 year, we held two Business Blitz in September 2022 and February 2023 and served more than 50 unique business owners, with participation from Launch Dayton, SBDC, Urban League, City of Dayton, MBAC, and local entrepreneurs

GWDI Startup Fellowship

The Greater West Dayton Incubator Fellowship is a 12-month initiative designed to help underrepresented entrepreneurs access space and education through the Urban Elevation Accelerator at The Hub Powered by PNC Bank For 2022-2023 We have 10 fellows represented from a variety of businesses and industries. You can learn more about them here: https://www thegwdi com/gwdi-fellows-cohort

Urban Elevation Accelerator

The Urban Elevation Accelerator (UEA) is modeled after the Urban Poverty and Business Initiative (UPBI) at the University of Notre Dame. This 11-month accelerator includes a six week boot camp called the Elevation Academy, six months of mentorship, and a connection to student consultants for business projects. This program served 24 entrepreneurs throughout the year On average entrepreneurs completed 50 out of 80 steps outlined to creating a sustainable business. We provided more than $40,000 in microgrants to businesses with a generous donation from Fifth-Third Bank

Cultural Capital Microlending Program

The GWDI is a partner of the Cultural Capital Microlending Program with Flyer Consulting and Citywide Development. Through this program, underrepresented and under-resourced entrepreneurs apply for loan funding that go towards working capital, equipment, marketing, etc. at a low interest rate. In the 2022-2023 year, we provided $24,500 to businesses in childcare, tutoring, non-emergency transportation, and the food industry

Power Hour: Strong is We

The Power Hour is a support group for underrepresented entrepreneurs and highlights special topics such as mental health, generational wealth, education, and professionalism. Participants dialogue in an open roundtable to discuss topics that strengthen their mental fortitude for being an entrepreneur and leader in the community.

Discover Entrepreneurship Program

The Discover Entrepreneurship program is a two week immersive and interactive experience for Dayton Public School and DECA students to build their professional skills and learn to apply essential business practices to design their own business plans and pitch their business idea in a final pitch competition Our curriculum helps students identify viable business opportunities and explores how such opportunities are transformed into new ventures. Emphasis is placed on how entrepreneurial ventures successfully compete for financial resources, identify and reach their target market, and establish business processes and systems Students have an opportunity to receive college credit and scholarships at the program's pitch competition finale.