By Kayla Sosa Empowering students, honing in on skills and boosting small businesses is all part of the work done through Lend GR at Grand Valley State University. The program piloted over a year ago, with a focus on providing…
Read More GVSU students ‘lend a hand’ to entrepreneurs in need
(Featured Photo Courtesy of 77 Idea Lab Youtube Page) By Kayla Sosa Students who want to solve a problem in their community or society through a product or service have a new opportunity through the 77 Idea Lab at Grand…
Read More First GVSU student entrepreneur accelerator program finishes strong despite setbacks
Because there’s a lot of information out there, we compiled some of the most available funding resources for West Michigan small businesses. Note: This list will continue to update as we see more resources and as applications close. All of…
By Kayla Sosa In an effort to support each other and the entrepreneurial community, four sisters came together in 2017 to form the organization, Sisters in Business. Nicole Parker, Alisa Parker, Tiffany Parker and Teleshia Parker are four biological sisters,…
Read More Sisters in Business: Building community by supporting women of color
By Kayla Sosa The City of Grand Rapids and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc are partnering to host an expo for small businesses in the city. Community members are encouraged to attend to meet local small business owners, who will…
Read More Upcoming expo to highlight small businesses in Grand Rapids
By Kayla Sosa A community organization in Grand Rapids is making it easier for entrepreneurs and small business owners who can’t obtain a bank loan through racial bias and inequity, to acquire funds. Rende Progress Capital was co-founded by Eric…
Read More Rende Progress Capital: Creating equity in lending and investments
By Kayla Sosa This year marks 30 years that a local Grand Rapids organization has been helping women start their own businesses. Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women, or G.R.O.W., is a nonprofit organization that supports business owners at every stage…
By Kayla Sosa Living in Utah, Christina VanDam developed an interest in aerial silks and fitness. When she moved to Grand Rapids about four years ago, she couldn’t find a place that supported those areas of fitness on the flexible…
In the past five years, Kickstarter has emerged as a legitimate source of funding for startups and entrepreneurs. While banks or traditional investors are likely going to want to see proof that there will be a large, worthwhile return on…
Business incubation is increasingly becoming a common practice throughout the country. While incubators are continuously popping up in major entrepreneurial hubs, they are also forming in smaller communities, where the cost of retail space is an impediment to developing businesses.…
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