The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Upstate New York District Office announced the start of local recruitment for T.H.R.I.V.E. (Train, Hope, Rise, Innovate, Venture, Elevate), a free national training program for small business leaders.
The SBA is currently recruiting small business applicants who have been in business for at least three years; who have annual revenues of at least $250,000; who have at least one employee other than the owner; and who can commit to participating in the six-month program from July 5 to Dec. 16.
“T.H.R.I.V.E. is a unique SBA program that can be instrumental for entrepreneurs aiming to grow or expand their small businesses. Throughout the course, participants will receive core business knowledge, work directly with a business coach, meet with peers and develop a three-year Strategic Growth Plan,” said SBA Upstate New York District Director Bernard J. Paprocki. “We will select 20 participants for the Upstate New York cohort, and I strongly encourage small business owners who are ready for growth to consider applying for this opportunity by the May 31 deadline.”
T.H.R.I.V.E. provides complimentary entrepreneurship education and training for executives of high-performing small businesses. Over six months, the executive entrepreneurship training series includes in-person coaching and virtual, self-paced instruction. Paprocki said the hybrid program allows participants to work with a network of experienced subject matter experts in core business topics like accounting, business strategy, marketing, and human resources customized for the unique needs of small business owners.
Small business owners can learn more regarding eligibility, how to apply, program format, and locations by visiting www.sbathrive.com.
“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,” said Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
She said T.H.R.I.V.E.’s reimagined design will focus on engagement, problem-solving, and peer-to-peer interaction within the cohorts. In addition, the new hybrid format promotes an ecosystem of business connections among business peers, government leaders, and the financial community. As a result, T.H.R.I.V.E., Emerging Leaders Reimagined will help build sustainable and scalable businesses that promote economic development within their communities and the U.S. overall.
“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,” said Mark Madrid, SBA associate administrator of the Office for Entrepreneurial Development.
“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,”