Programs and Workshops
Emerge and Rise™ nonprofit business incubator and accelerator is an initiative designed to help entrepreneurs and small business leaders to start, run, and place the infrastructure needed for sustainable growth and measurable impact in their organizations.
We cover:
- How to Start a Business in San Antonio
- Strategic Planning
- Goals and Objectives Definition
- Putting your Strategic Plan to Work
- Hiring Practices and Onboarding
- Marketing and Branding
- KPIs and OKRs
- Finances 101 / Budgeting
- Templates and Resources
- Risk Management
- Business Law
- Workshops
- Brick-and-mortar Management
Lotus Business Readiness 12-Week Program
Cohort 3 - September 19, 2023 (hybrid)
Emerge and Rise™ Small Business Incubator Program embraces business support services tailored to new and emerging entrepreneurs to create sustainable businesses contributing to local and regional economic growth.
Each cohort has no more than 15 members and runs twice yearly (Spring & Fall). You will be provided with all the resources, a workbook, weekly classes and workshops, and guidance on starting and operating your own business in San Antonio.
Requirement:
- 18 years or older (or have a guardian witness)
- A resident of Texas (San Antonio)
- Able to speak, write, and comprehend the English language
- Able to complete an application to determine your eligibility
- Able to comply with the Emerge and Rise™ Training Policies (including attendance, release of business status, and results to track long-term business outcomes, etc.)
- Current business owner or an aspiring entrepreneur with a strong desire to develop and launch a business in the San Antonio area
Schedule:
We meet weekly (once [some weeks twice] via hybrid and once via Zoom) for 12 weeks with assigned homework for a successful launch/re-launch. In-person attendance, onboarding and graduation is required.
Cost:
$150 for 12-week attendance (scholarships available to many).
How To Get Started
Apply. Interested businesses must fill out an application detailing their experience and objectives.
Send a business plan. Submit your business plan for consideration or business model canvas. It doesn't have to be detailed, a summary will do (1 page).
Interview. All candidates participate in an interview to discuss the program further and provide more information about their business and needs. These interviews may take place in person or virtually.
Receive a decision. The program representatives will notify you of the decision through a phone call or email.
Note: no business or idea will be turned away; we will guide you in the right direction.
Business Accelerator 8-Week Program
Cohort 1 - June 27, 2023 (hybrid)
Welcome to our Business Accelerator 8-week Program! We are so excited to provide our San Antonio community with the necessary tools and support to succeed. Our program focuses on giving our members the opportunity to gain knowledge, skills, and resources to propel their business ideas and venture to the next level.
The first 4 weeks will focus on building a foundation for your businesses. This includes building a professional portfolio, outlining a mission statement, crafting a marketing strategy, and creating a business plan and pitch deck that shows your story and strong foundation.
In the following weeks, you will receive access to industry leaders, financial and legal advisors, resources, and professional networks. You will gain critical knowledge to use during the final 4 weeks to solidify your venture.
We will work one-on-one to bring your venture to the next level, craft fundraising initiatives, and evaluate financial models to understand the viability of your venture.
We will provide access to resources and tools to support each member during and after the program. This includes financial advice, business plan/business model canvas/pitch deck templates, industry connections, access to funding, and potential collaboration opportunities.
The end of our program celebrates each one of your successes by hosting a graduation event and pitches with industry leaders.
We hope to have the privilege of witnessing the amazing growth each of our members and their business ventures experience by the end of our program.
Cost:
$350 for 8-week attendance (scholarships available to many).
How To Get Started
Apply. Interested businesses must fill out an application detailing their experience and objectives.
Send a business plan. Submit your business plan for consideration or business model canvas. It doesn't have to be detailed, a summary will do (1 page).
Interview. All candidates participate in an interview to discuss the program further and provide more information about their business and needs. These interviews may take place in person or virtually.
Receive a decision. The program representatives will notify you of the decision through a phone call or email.
Note: no business or idea will be turned away; we will guide you in the right direction.
Emerge and Rise™ Business Incubator Membership:
Monthly Events Workshops
You are building your vision and planning.
- Create a vision and develop a good plan to open and run your business.
- Build your financial projections and marketing plans to know how to launch and operate your business. We will meet weekly for six sessions.
Access to new and improved programs.
Tailored programs for business success will help business owners develop business plans, goals, objectives, financial projections, and marketing strategies.
- Marketing Workshops - Once a Month
- Business Operations Workshops - Once a Month
- Leadership Workshops - Once a Month
- Finances and Taxes Workshops - Once a Month
- Networking Events - Monthly
- Technology Workshops - Monthly
- Discount on Attorney Services - 10%
- Discount on Marketing Services - 20%
- Discount on Business Services - 15%
Assistance for 18 months with core business operations (accounting, market research, marketing, legal compliance).
Cost of Membership:
$29/month or $300/year + free Lotus Program!
Sign Up for Membership
Our application process is very simple. You apply and receive a determination and a payment link within 48-72 hours.
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Certificate
Program Overview
This program is designed for youth ages 16-24. This course provides a hands-on experience working inside Entrepreneurship and Small Business that will show competency at an industry associate level and is college and career ready. You will be able to demonstrate the correct application of the principal features of Entrepreneurship and Small Business and complete tasks independently.
The ESB certification tests and validates foundation-level concepts and knowledge in entrepreneurship and small business management. These core concepts include entrepreneurship, recognizing and evaluating opportunities; planning for, starting, and operating a business; marketing and sales; venture capital and seed funding; and financial management.
It is recommended that students have at least 150 hours of instruction to prepare themselves to pass the ESB exam, and we will have 84 hours of in-person training.
Requirements:
- Must be between the ages of 16-24.
- Must be enrolled in High School or GED program.
Schedule:
We will meet weekly for 3 hours, split into two days, and have one Zoom session each week to ensure everyone is keeping up and ready for the exam.
Fee:
The course is offered free of charge with all the materials we provide. There is an exam fee of $80 to be paid by the student. (scholarships available)
How to Get Started
Apply. Interested students must fill out an application detailing their interests.
Interview. All students will participate in discussions with their support system (parents or legal guardians) to discuss the program further. These interviews may take place in person or virtually.
Receive a decision. The program representatives will notify you of the decision via phone or email.
Note: this program will launch in October 2023. The application will open in September 2023.
