Participants are paired with a connector, who work one-on-one with them throughout a year-long program. Meetings of the entire group are held on the third Tuesday of every month from 6:30-8:00pm. During these meetings, participants are brought into a network of other entrepreneurs and advisors who provide training, resources, and advice in a range of areas. These include topics such as business planning, bookkeeping, financial, marketing, legal, and professional development. The program also offers very low-interest business loans up to $2000.

Entrepreneurs who participate in the Incubator have a wide-range of businesses. In the past, these have included a baking business, a cleaning service, plant soil supplements, beekeeping, apparel customization, and developing and selling skin care products. Your business could be in manufacturing, service, or retail.

The Entrepreneur Incubator is sponsored by Blessed Trinity Parish in Cleveland, in partnership with Bellaire Puritas Development Corporation, Neighborhood Connections, and the Sisters of Charity Foundation. For further information about the program, contact Sarah Kennedy at Neighborhood Connections: sarah@skgconsultingcleveland.com or (216) 577-5511. If you are interested in donating or helping with the program, contact Fr. Doug Koesel.

Applications are open periodically throughout the year. The program is open to anyone 18 years or older who lives or works in the West Park neighborhood of Cleveland. But because only a limited number of participants can be accepted into the program, applications will be reviewed for certain criteria. It is important to have a solid business idea, some initial work put into the business, and a commitment to participate in the program. A downloadable application is available by clicking the link below.