How could $16,500 support your business?
SEE ME Cohort Program
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
What you'll get out of the 12-month program:
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Participate in a 6-week business accelerator (Virtual)
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Develop a 2 to 5-year business plan
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Provide monthly financial reports for accountability
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Mastermind with cohort monthly as business advisors (Virtual)
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Attend 4 quarterly educational and networking events (Hybrid)
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Gain $16,500 of capital to invest in your business growth
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Connect with supplier diversity and corporate professionals across the state
HOW TO APPLY
1
TELL US ABOUT THE BUSINESS
Complete the online application process, which should include an abbreviated version of this year's business plan.
2
TELL US ABOUT YOU
Create a 90-second video introducing yourself, what you do, what is your why, and what the $16,500 would mean to you and the business.
3
ATTEND AN IN-PERSON/VIRTUAL INTERVIEW
The top 40 finalists will attend an interview so that the team can learn more about your business.
"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced."
James Baldwin
KEY DATES
(Dates subject to change)
DATES
APPLICATION PROCESS
February 15, 2023
Opening date for application submissions
April 30, 2023
Application Submission due by 11:59 MST
May 15, 2023
Top 40 candidates will be notified for interviews
June 3, 2023
Finalists notified
June 17, 2023
Candidates accepted and confirmed
July 6, 2023
SEE ME Cohort Begins
The 6-Week business accelerator will meet virtually on Thursdays from 9am - 12pm
Networking events will meet quarterly - dates and times to be announced
Monthly mastermind calls will meet 1st Thursdays from 9 - 10:30 am starting 9/7
APPLICATION DETAILS
The SEE ME Program is a program designed to facilitate business growth and stability for Arizona-based companies that are at least 51 percent owned, operated, and controlled by black individuals. Eligible companies range between late-stage startups to mature firms. Each business will be evaluated based on the thoroughness of the completed application, the ability to scale and grow, and an achievable vision for the future of their company, and a commitment to program participation.
ELIGIBILITY
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Finalists will be evaluated based on the following:
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Thoroughness of completed application
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In-person / Virtual Pitch Contest
COST
There is no cost.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Each business applying for the program will complete an online application. Application entry will automatically enroll the organization as a listing into a directory to increase visibility and establish a network. A link to a 90-second pitch video will need to be included in the online application. Applications and pitch videos will be reviewed by the team. From there the top 40 chosen applicants will move on to the virtual pitch contest. Each business entry will be categorized based on industry type, business category, county, and other distinctions, ie, veteran, women-owned, etc. Twenty (20) businesses will be selected to participate in the 12-month cohort. No multilevel marketing businesses will be accepted.
IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL PITCH CONTEST (HYBRID)
The applicants will pitch their businesses to an assembled panel of professionals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Each qualified applicant will have exactly 5 minutes to pitch their business. Presentation slides in your pitch are highly recommended (e.g. PowerPoint). The pitch must address the following:
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Overview of the business (background abbreviated history, mission, industry for profit or not) If awarded the grant, how will the additional funds be used
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How will the business benefit from the program and why is it a great fit for the program
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How will they ensure that their business is successful with or without the program
Each applicant's pitch will be followed by 5 minute Q&A from the panel.
FINAL SELECTION
Businesses will be selected based on the virtual pitch contest. All finalists will be notified June 3, 2023.