Rolling applications are now being accepted for the Optimization & Incubator Programs!​

MBCC
Means
Business

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The MBCC Program is designed to engage with current & future entrepreneurs to guide them through a structured process to review or a develop their business or business idea, improve the business’ product(s) using the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) approach, and to coach the entrepreneurs on how to use their success in the MVP phase of the project to grow and scale their business, either through internal funding or by helping to find outside investment capital.

The Programs

Incubator​

This program will work with the entrepreneur by deep diving into understanding the customer and building or improving their business’ product(s). It will use the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) approach and more advanced marketing (tradition & digital) to validate customer assumptions and obtain customer feedback.

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Optimization

This part of the program will focus on validating the business strategies and assumptions. It will also include consulting on topics such as:

  • Building a team, and more advanced concepts around the legal needs for their business
  • Raising outside capital, and why founders want outside partners
  • Business scaling math
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Recruitment & Participation

We will look to recruit 15 to 20 companies for the incubator and accelerator cohort. Participants will be entrepreneurs of color with existing or new minority owned businesses with the potential for growth and expansion. The entrepreneurs will need to have the drive to create something greater than a lifestyle business who are coachable and ambitious.

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MBCC Program Participation Benefits

  • Access to shared services for 36-month at a reduced cost**
    • Bookkeeping, Comptroller, Financial Planning & Data Analytics
    • Marketing & Graphic Design
    • Webinars & Lead Generation
    • Software/Website Development
    • Services Cost Sharing *
    • Accounting & Tax services
    • Marketing & Graphic Design
    • Webinars & Lead Generation Software/Website Development

…. And more to come!

*Terms and Conditions apply

** Access Requirements
  • Must be a member of the Madison Black Chamber of Commerce in good standing
  • Must be a current MBCC Means Business Program Alumni or current program participant
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Incubator Program Specifics

Incubator – Vision-Focused

  • Problem/Solution - identify a real problem and propose a real solution
  • Impact – socially and in the market (is it scalable?)
  • Team – Is the team ready to commit?
    • Does the team have the experience needed? Are there gaps?
  • Execution – What's been done to move things forward so far?

Incubator Meeting and Program Content

Meets 2x per week (in person; StartingBlock) for 6 weeks

  • Ideation (Design Think Process), MVP
  • Goal Setting, Mentoring (mentoring and being those mentored)
  • Sales/Marketing
  • Money operations/Human resources/E-Commerce/Supply chain/Business software/Product iteration

Required Reading

Incubator: Experience & Program Format

  • Meeting Agenda (6pm to 8pm)
    • 6:00pm - Introduction
    • 6:15pm – Program Presentation
    • 6:55pm – Break
    • 7:00pm – Introduce Program Guest Speaker
    • 7:45pm – Program review, reading review and next steps
    • 8:00pm – Adjourn

Weekly One-on-Ones (In Person or Zoom)

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Optimization Program Specifics

Optimization – Functional-Focused

  • In business for 1 year (MBE/DBE criteria)
  • Credit check (to see if eligible for SBA loans, etc.)
  • Regional market
  • Growing & Profitable / Cash Flow Positive / Salvageable
  • Scalable (ideally)
  • Solid handle on financials – able to produce reports/analysis

Optimization Meeting and Program Content

Meets 2x per week (in person; StartingBlock) for 11 weeks

  • Ideation (Design Think Process), MVP
  • Goal Setting & Mentoring (mentoring and being those mentored)
  • Business Software
    • CRM, Financial, etc.
  • E-Commerce
  • Marketing
  • Sales & Traction
  • Business Operations
  • Supply Chain
  • Financial Tools/ Credit Counseling & Financing
    • Equity
    • Loans
  • Human Resources
  • Customer Service
  • Product Iteration

Required Reading

Optimization Experience

  • Meeting Agenda (6pm to 8pm); Day 1
    • 6:00pm - Introduction
    • 6:15pm – Program Presentation
    • 6:55pm – Break
    • 7:00pm – Introduce Program Guest Speaker
    • 7:45pm – Program & reading review and next steps
    • 8:00pm – Adjourn

  • Meeting Agenda (6pm to 8pm); Day 2
    • 6:00pm - Introduction & Weekly Case Study
    • 6:15pm – Break into groups
    • 7:30pm – Break Group back together & Start Case Study Presentations
    • 7:55pm – Program review and next steps
    • 8:00pm – Adjourn

Weekly One-on-Ones (In Person or Zoom)

Upcoming Sessions

Optimization

Tuesday, February 13 – Thursday, April 25, 2024


Tuesdays & Thursdays from 6pm to 8pm

Incubator

Monday, March 4 – Monday, April 8, 2024


Mondays & Thursdays from 6pm to 8pm plus special Sales & Marketing sessions

Location of all sessions

StartingBlock Madison

821 E. Washington Ave.

Fourth Floor.

Madison, WI 53703

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