Model 7: Founders First CDC

Model 7: Founders First CDC

Regionerate continues to work with Founders First CDC to articulate its program impacts and grow its reach from headquarters in San Diego to 5 parts of the country. The accelerator helps under-served and under-represented small business owners overcome the challenges they face due to the lack of access to capital and to assist them in increasing business capacity.

This accelerator utilizes a revenue financing model that is nondilutive and offers growth strategies based on the stage of business. Their three primary programs include (1) Challenge Program, for companies generating $50K to $250K, offering online training, one on one coaching, and resulting in a funding and growth plan; (2) Founders Business Growth Bootcamp, for companies generating $250K to $1M, building a custom playbook to grow their business to be more profitable, scalable, and employerbased; and (3) Founders FastPath Program for businesses generating over $1M, that kicks off with a 4-day on-site experience and concludes with a 3-year growth simulation, firsthand access to C-level mentors and up to $1M in growth capital.

The participating business owners average 25% year-after-year growth, creating at least two jobs annually with average salaries of $50,000.

Founder’s First is successful because it targets segments of businesses by revenue and provides a tailored and varying level of support for each one. It is one of the few programs in the nation that does not take equity or burden the company with debt with its venture financing.

Learn More at: www.foundersfirstcdc.org