The Entrepreneurship Center
The Indianapolis Urban League (IUL) Entrepreneurship Center was launched in July 2021 to assist entrepreneurs with developing, launching, sustaining, and growing minority small businesses in Central Indiana and surrounding counties.
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The Entrepreneurship Center provides future and current small business owners with access to in-person and virtual workshops, short-term industry recognized training credentials, individualized coaching, and support to leverage resources, maximize revenue, reduce costs, increase profitability, and create job opportunities.
The desired impact of the IUL Entrepreneurship Center includes access to start-up costs, capital and opportunities for business expansion, identifying emerging business opportunities, contract procurement assistance, and building linkages with small business owners, industry sectors, private, public, and nonprofit resources to support entrepreneurs creating wealth and economic stability.
The Indianapolis Urban League Entrepreneurship Center Program, to date, has achieved the following since 2021:
- Enrolled 196 small businesses in six (6) cohorts
- Awarded over $146,000 in IUL Helping Hand Grant Funds ($101,000 2022 and $45,00 in 2023)
- Provided over $50,000 to 175 entrepreneurs participating in the IUL Entrepreneur & Small Business Fair in 2022 and 2023
- Program participants were awarded over $398,501 in other grant and funding support
- Conducted over 75 small business workshops
- Conducted over 2,893 total small business counseling hours
- 20 small business owners earned industry-recognized training credentials
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Future and current small business owners are provided with individualized counseling in core knowledge areas such as accounting, branding, marketing, digital and social media, writing a business plan, management training, skills development, and accessing financing and/or contract opportunities to name a few.
Future and current small business owners are provided with the tools needed to identify skills gaps and the resources and support to develop and improve these skills. Subject matter experts and those with a specific skill related to a task are considered having “hard skills,” and those demonstrating flexibility, problem solving, decision making, and patience are considered having “soft skills.” To be successful in business, you must have a balance of both hard and soft skills, and the skills development resources offered will help you further develop these necessary tools.
Entrepreneurs are provided with access to free short-term industry recognized training credentials and supportive services needed to launch or further expand small businesses and job skills training in high-demand industry sectors. Earning a training credential is considered a “technical” or “hard” skill and is highly desired by individuals hoping to grow their business or be considered an expert in their field or industry. Certifications are also highly in-demand with prospective clients and prospective business partners.
Entrepreneurs are provided with assistance identifying and addressing financial and basic needs barriers preventing small businesses from being launched, sustained, or expanded. Basic needs barriers includes low-to-moderate income, unemployment, underemployment, high school dropout, basic skills deficiencies, homelessness, transportation, child care, addiction, convictions/incarcerated or system impacted, and survivors of domestic violence. The IUL Entrepreneurship Center will provide wrap-around services and support to address basic needs barriers to prevent an interruption in successful program launch or expansion.
Eligible entrepreneurs are offered up to six-weeks of paid on-the-job training with an IUL Preferred Employer after successfully earning select short-term industry recognized training credentials. The externship will allow the entrepreneur to build solid work relationships and networks, and apply the skills and knowledge learned during training in an effort to enhance the knowledge and expertise needed to successfully launch, sustain or expand small business opportunities.
The IUL Entrepreneurship Center has identified topical areas for prospective small business owners, as well as information relevant to current small business owners in various stages of development for African-Americans and other people of color. Only Entrepreneurship Center Program participants are eligible to register for these monthly seminars. Facilitators represent government, private, public and nonprofit sectors.
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Indianapolis Urban League Entrepreneurship Center Program (ECP) Cohort 10
We are excited to announce that applications for the Indianapolis Urban League’s Entrepreneurship Center Program (ECP) Cohort 10 will be available from April 1, 2025, through April 30, 2025.
Application Process:
· Application Period: April 1-30, 2025
· Deadline: All applications and assessments must be submitted no later than April 30, 2025. No exceptions will be made.
Assessment: Applicants must complete an assessment tailored to their business stage. Please ensure that you select the correct stage of your business.
· Notification of Acceptance: Selected participants will be notified via email by May 9, 2025.
· The IUL Entrepreneurship Center Program Cohort 10 will run online from Wednesday, June 11, 2025, to August 20, 2025
Important Notes
· We strongly encourage applicants to complete their submissions well before the deadline.
· This is a competitive program, so it is essential to provide thorough and accurate information in your application.
· Applications that are incomplete or submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
We are thrilled to support you and your business growth through this transformative program. Get ready to elevate your entrepreneurial journey with the Indianapolis Urban League’s ECP Cohort 10!
Pre-Venture: Ideology and Existence Stage
This stage includes those that are contemplating starting a small business and those that have registered their small business with the State of Indiana, but have been in business less than two years.
Early Growth Stage:
This stage includes those that have registered their small business with the State of Indiana, have an Employer Identification number (EIN), and have been in operation for two-five years.
Expansion & Maturity Stage
This stage includes those that have registered their small business with the State of Indiana, have an Employer Identification Number (EIN), and have been in operation for five or more years.
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All admitted Entrepreneurship Center participants will complete assessments during their enrollment in the program. The purpose of the assessments is to determine each participant’s existing knowledge, interests, needs and aptitudes, participant and instructor self-evaluation, content delivery, and ensure that instructional, performance and program goals are being met.
Assessments conducted upon admission into IUL Entrepreneurship Center include:
- 360 Degree Business Leadership Assessment
- Business Idea Assessments
- Indiana Career Exploration Assessment
- Organizational Assessment for Existing Businesses
- Personality Characteristics of Successful Business Assessment
- Self-Assessment for Start-Up Businesses
- Strategic Planning for Existing Businesses Assessment
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The IUL Entrepreneur Center offers monthly virtual “One-Hour Workshops” virtually to anyone considering starting their own business. These workshops will help future entrepreneurs have a basic understanding of the processes, expectations and planning involved in launching and sustaining a successful small business. These workshops are free and open to the public monthly, and are not a prerequisite to enrollment into the IUL Entrepreneurship Center Program.
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS:
Join our free entrepreneur learning community. The IUL Entrepreneurship Center Program offers free monthly “One-Hour Workshops” to anyone considering starting a business. These in-person workshops provide a basic understanding of the processes, expectations, and planning involved in launching and sustaining a successful small business.
Workshops:
Self-Publishing 101: From Manuscript to Marketplace
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
9:00 am – 11:30 am
Indianapolis Urban League, 777 Indiana Avenue
Free parking in the Indianapolis Urban League parking lot.
This workshop is designed to take the guesswork out of self-publishing and help you confidently navigate every step. This comprehensive self-publishing workshop will walk you through the entire publishing process from preparing your manuscript to launching your book successfully. Facilitated by Shar’ron Mason, LMFT, a multi-published author with over 15 books.
Advanced registration is required. Continental breakfast provided.
Free parking in Indianapolis Urban League parking lot.
How to Use Social Media to Promote and Scale Your Business
Wednesday, May 21 | 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Indianapolis Urban League
Free parking in the Indianapolis Urban League parking lot.
Join us for this interactive workshop with dynamic and powerhouse marketer Shaneeka Abrams, who will share proven tools and tactics to help you grow your brand online, connect with your audience, and scale your business the smart way.
Advanced registration is required. A light dinner will be provided.
Wednesday, August 13, 2025 Grant Writing for Beginner Grant Writers
9:00 am – 1:00 pm | Complimentary continental breakfast or lunch, and parking provided.
Please review the prerequisites before registering for this class.
Beginners
– 0-2 years’ grant writing experience
– Successfully written and secured multiple grants between $100-$99,999
– Determining the program or agency grant needs
– What is a Request for Proposal (RFP)
– How to compose a Letter of Interest (LOI)
– Understanding basic grant terminology
– Understanding the difference between local, state, and federal grant
– Identifying viable grant opportunities
– Understanding the funders’ “funding” criteria
– Understanding the difference between solicited and unsolicited proposal
– Using correct grant terminology
– Reviewing the requirements and determining if the grant aligns with the program or agency
– Preparing the Proposal Summary and Organizational Narrative
– Preparing the Purpose and Needs Statements
– Establishing grant timelines
– Securing letters of support
– Preparing a basic budget
– Reviewing and preparing other required attachments (ex.: cover letters, letter of support, etc.)
– Quarterly, year-end, and close-out reports
Self-Publishing 101: From Manuscript to Marketplace
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
9:00 am – 11:30 am
Indianapolis Urban League, 777 Indiana Avenue
This workshop is designed to take the guesswork out of self-publishing and help you confidently navigate every step. This comprehensive self-publishing workshop will walk you through the entire publishing process from preparing your manuscript to launching your book successfully. Facilitated by Shar’ron Mason, LMFT, a multi-published author with over 15 books.
Advance registration required. Continental breakfast provided.
Free parking in Indianapolis Urban League parking lot.
Self-Publishing 101: From Manuscript to Marketplace
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
9:00 am – 11:30 am
Indianapolis Urban League, 777 Indiana Avenue
This workshop is designed to take the guesswork out of self-publishing and help you confidently navigate every step. This comprehensive self-publishing workshop will walk you through the entire publishing process from preparing your manuscript to launching your book successfully. Facilitated by Shar’ron Mason, LMFT, a multi-published author with over 15 books.
Advance registration required. Continental breakfast provided.
Free parking in Indianapolis Urban League parking lot.
