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Want to speak to a real person?

Call the Entrepreneurship Center at 216-812-3161, ext. 229.  Our hotline is open 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., EST, Monday through Friday to help research and answer your business resource questions and to guide you to the right organization for business assistance.

 

Founders:

Founded by the National Urban League * Business Roundtable * Stonehenge Capital LLC
* Small Business Administration * Urban League of Greater Cleveland


Growing small and medium-sized minority owned businesses is one of the best ways to close the wealth gap in America.”  
Marc H. Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League
Welcome to the Cleveland Entrepreneurship Center
The Entrepreneurship Center works with private, public and nonprofit resources to build strong, sustainable and successful minority businesses. The result will be wealth creation, job creation and better economic health in the minority and urban core communities of Cleveland. 

What does the Cleveland Entrepreneurship Center do?
The Entrepreneurship Center assesses the needs and capabilities of minority business owners in the Cleveland area. Then those aspiring or current business owners are linked with resources, classes, training and counseling that will help them grow to the next level of success. Each person contacting the Entrepreneurship Center will receive an initial assessment of their needs. Then they will be matched to the appropriate resource or service that meets those needs.

Who sponsors it?
The Entrepreneurship Center is part of a national program, of the same name, developed through a partnership of the National Urban League, the Business Roundtable and the White House National Economic Council. In Cleveland, the Urban League of Greater Cleveland hosts the Entrepreneurship Center.

How can I get assistance with my business?
Simply contact the Urban League of Greater Cleveland through our Hotline number, 216-812-3161, ext. 229 or through our online Resource Navigator.

What kind of services are offered?
Many resources are available in the Cleveland area to help start or expand businesses. The list below highlights the most frequently requested services:

  • Business planning
  • Financial resources and assistance
  • Franchising
  • Legal services
  • Libraries and research organizations
  • Management issues and training
  • Manufacturing, high tech and life sciences development
  • Marketing
  • Networking
  • Nonprofit development
  • Office, laboratory and meeting space
  • Product development
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Selling to the government and large corporations
  • Tax services
  • Technical assistance
How much do services cost?
The initial assessment and matching is free. There may be fees for counseling, training classes, etc.

Do I have to meet a certain set of standards to get help?
The program is designed for minority business owners who live or work in the Cleveland area.

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RSS Feed from the Wall Street Journal
With the recession making it tough to win new clients, small businesses are stretching their resources to keep loyal customers.
Some small businesses are overhauling their pricing strategies amid the recession and finding new growth through lower-end offerings and discounts.
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RSS Feed from Entrepreneur.com