Power of SUNY

SUNY ESF Teams Up with SBA to Expand Local Businesses

SUNY ESF is partnering with the U.S. Small Business Administration on the e200 Emerging Leaders Initiative, which will provide 18 leaders of young, promising Syracuse businesses the knowledge they need to take their enterprises to the next level by giving free, intensive training to their chief executives.

The program will enable local entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses, expand and create jobs in Syracuse. Program curriculum will be customized to the needs of the group, but will teach them how to find financing, diversify markets, expand their networks and grow faster. Among other qualifications, applicants must be in business three years, generate annual revenue between $400,000 and $10 million a year and have at least one employee besides the boss to be eligible.

The goal of the SBA Emerging Leaders (e200) Initiative is to identify 200 inner-city businesses across the country that show a high potential for growth—and to provide them the network, resources and motivation required to build a sustainable business of size and scale. SBA is increasing outreach to areas historically challenged by high levels of unemployment and poverty. Bolstering entrepreneurial success in these areas will generate new jobs, attract investment, and provide a more sustainable economic base in distressed areas. The SBA Emerging 200 initiative will enable the participating small businesses to engage in an intensive curriculum focused on developing a winning, expansion strategy for their business, including options for capital access and contracting. Participants also will have the opportunity to work with experienced mentors, attend workshops and develop connections with their peers, city leaders, and financial community.