WASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently launched T.H.R.I.V.E. (Train, Hope, Rise, Innovate, Venture, Elevate), a reimagined training program for small-business leaders, formerly known as Emerging Leaders.
“T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined initiative will provide up-and-coming small-business leaders with tools, knowledge, and access to the best and the brightest minds in economic development to help them accelerate their growth and help them become competitive in an increasingly global economy,” says SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman.
The SBA’s T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined provides entrepreneurship education and training for executives of high-performing small businesses free of charge. Over the course of six months, this intensive entrepreneurship training series includes in-person coaching, self-paced instruction, mentoring, and classroom time. The program also allows participants to work with a network of experienced subject matter experts in core business topics, such as accounting, business strategy, marketing, and human resources, customized for the unique needs of small-business owners.
“Under Administrator Guzman’s leadership of action and outcomes, we are committed to transforming our learning ecosystem to be timelier and more relevant and meet small businesses where they are right now,” says SBA Associate Administrator of the Office for Entrepreneurial Development Mark Madrid. ”We embody this approach with T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined. With this reimagined curriculum building on our rich history, we will expand access to more small businesses, and more locations and increase accessibility through a virtual component. We are energized, mobilized and ready to go.”
The program is not intended for start-ups or people in the planning stages of starting a business. It is open to small-business owners and executives who have annual revenues of at least $250,000, have been in business for at least three years and have at least one employee other than themselves. There are no restrictions on the types of businesses that can participate. Participating for-profit companies include all industries, including manufacturers, retail/wholesalers, contractors, professional services, and food services.
Key highlights of T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined include:
- Mentoring
- In-person coaching for C-level executives
- Self-paced instruction with demonstrated business sustainability
- A hybrid model that includes virtual and classroom sessions
- Micro-sessions customized for small businesses’ unique needs
- Experienced subject matter experts
- Removing the one- size fits all model in exchange for engagement, problem-solving, and peer-to-peer interaction within the cohorts
Applications for T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined are open now until May 31, 2022. For eligibility requirements, registration, training locations and other information visit the program’s website.
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