Model 5: Urban Innovation21 | Riverside Center for Innovation

Model 5: Urban Innovation21 | Riverside Center for Innovation

Regionerate consulted with Urban Innovation21 (UI21) to support BIPOC entrepreneurs in the Hill District of Pittsburgh. UI21 is now partnered with Riverside Center for Innovation, working to grow the city’s economy while connecting that economy to underserved communities and the residents that live in those communities.

The program offered four onehour workshops on what it means to start a business in the community at flexible times to accommodate many schedules. At the end of the series, interested individuals wrote a short application about their business idea, and a team of outside reviewers chose six entrepreneurs per semester.

Each business received $5K for new businesses or $10K for existing businesses. These stipends were grant dollars supplemented with pro bono legal advice, accounting expertise, and other professional services. Other wrap-around services included contract procurement, access to capital, human resource guidance, financial management, and networking assistance.

Lessons learned from this client include the need to go deep with a smaller number of entrepreneurs if they are going to be sustainable and profitable. Another critical factor in the program's success was introducing the businesses to their first, second, and third customers.

Learn More at: www.riversidecenterforinnovation.com