Future Baltimore is a flagship partnership for West Baltimore and the result of the innovative and equity-focused collaboration between Bon Secours Community Works, Kaiser Permanente, and the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC). We have joined forces to help improve the socio-economic conditions in the area by launching a business accelerator.

Named Small Business Accelerator, the program includes an intensive and accelerating series of coursework, one-on-one business advice, and financing options to help local entrepreneurs achieve greater financial potential and business growth.

Our goal is to position up to ten local businesses for long-term growth and profitability through intense individualized technical support provided by industry experts.

Benefits:

• A tailored and proven curriculum designed to grow businesses; See curriculum
• Up to 25 hours of consulting services by industry experts in fields including legal, marketing, sales, accounting, website development, merchandising, social media, finance, procurement and HR;
• Personal and business network expansion through relationships within the cohort; and
• $2500 Credit Building Loan at 0% interest and Access to a Network of Small Business Lenders.

*Additional requirements may apply

Participants:

• Businesses operating in eligible neighborhoods* View Map
• Businesses with hiring potential in the 21223-zip code or eligible neighborhoods
• Minority-owned businesses in the 21223-zip code or eligible neighborhoods
• At least 2 years in operation
• Businesses meeting the above criteria with less than $1 million in annual revenue

*Eligible neighborhoods include:

Cost: 

This program is delivered at no cost for participating businesses thanks to Kaiser Permanente and Bon Secour's generous contributions.

Apply or Refer a Participant

Curriculum

Module I: Access to Capital and Personal Finances 

• Personal and Business Credit Building 
• Debt Management, personal and business
• Grant-based resources and business loans
• Other sources of funding (angel investors, crowdfunding, bootstrapping)

Module 2: Rethinking Your Business Model

• Diversify and/or expand product/service portfolio
• Adjust the business model to new market trends (apps, online service)
• Business Resources Online (consumer databases, industry reports)
• Strategic business partnering and network associations

Module 3: Financial Management

• Understanding Financial Statements for decision making
• Budget
• Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet
• Cash Flow
• Debt management.
• Budgeting and Expense forecasting
• Price structure, costs evaluation, and promotional/discount strategies
• Break-even analysis 

Module 4: Strategic Marketing

• Product Mix 
• Online/Offline Marketing
• E-commerce 
• Promotional strategies
• Procurement 

Module 5: Legal and Operational Fundamentals for Your Business

• Operational agreement
• Employment agreements (e.g. Employee ownership)
• Lease contract negotiation
• Systematizing and digitizing your business (invoices, bookkeeping, payroll)

Apply or Refer a Participant