A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

SQUARE1 launching NKY entrepreneurship program for minority, woman and veteran-owned businesses


SQUARE1, a local nonprofit whose mission is to uncover, educate, and inspire B2B entrepreneurs, is launching Velocity, a program to support growing Northern Kentucky businesses.
 
Square1 has a similar program in Cincinnati through a partnership with the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky African American Chamber (AAC). SQUARE1 looks to expand the program in Northern Kentucky to include minority-led businesses including racial, gender, veteran and disabled.
 
“SQUARE1 was founded to support the entrepreneurs that fall in the gaps,” explains Keith Schneider, President of SQUARE1. “Lots of programs like fast-growth tech companies while others promote brick and mortar. Our companies are primarily business-to-business and benefit from our connections to the regional procurement teams for large- and medium-sized companies.”

 

The Velocity program is made possible through the support of the R.C. Durr Foundation and the Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation.   
 
More than a dozen Cincinnati-businesses have graduated from Sudduth, including Orchestrate Technologies led by Vincent Williams.
 
In just over 3 years Orchestrate Technologies has soared to over a $1million in sales in no small part due to the leadership of Williams. Vincent has recently joined SQUARE1’s board to help them continue their work to educate and empower minority owned, underserved businesses.
 
 “I saw an email from Keith describing the program and thought it would be a tremendous experience,” states Williams. “For those with business experience it acts as a true refresher guiding you to reflect on the current state of your business and plan for the future. For those running businesses with no formal business training, it is like a condensed MBA.”

 

Velocity is an advanced business development platform for high-potential minority businesses. For 90-minutes a week, over a 13-week period the participants focus on core capabilities and targeted procurement opportunities. Participating firms have improved the capacity and capability to compete for significant contracting opportunities with the goal of becoming million-dollar, minority led firms.
 
Several corporate partners participate on the Procurement Advisory Committee including Messer, Fifth Third Bank, and many others. We are also partnering with the Kentucky Procurement Technical Assistance Program to prepare companies to compete for government contract opportunities.
 
Accepting Applications
 
SQUARE1 is accepting applications for the Velocity program. All people seeking to launch or grow their business are welcome to apply. For more information and to apply please visit the website, email keith@startatsquare1.com or call at (859)750-2013.


 


Related Posts

Leave a Comment