Iowa’s community colleges, including Southwestern Community College, are calling on Iowa small business owners to apply for Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, which will come to Iowa for the first time beginning in January 2019. The program, which is provided at no cost, and is offered in partnership with Iowa’s community colleges, includes curriculum developed by Babson College – recently named No. 1 for entrepreneurship by U.S. News & World Report for the 22nd year in a row.
Accepted applicants receive hands-on education for business growth, access to highly-trained small business professionals and an expanded peer network of small business owners from across the country. There are no fees to apply for the program and no costs associated with obtaining classroom resources like textbooks. The program is part of Goldman Sachs philanthropic efforts to help entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity by providing access to education and business support services.
In the program’s eight-year history, there have been more than 7,300 graduates from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
The program’s results include:
• 67 percent of program graduates see revenue growth six months after completing the course.
• 47 percent report creating new jobs six months after completing the course.
James Deeds, a West Des Moines business owner who is a 10,000 Small Businesses alumni, describing how the program helped his company grow, said, “Since completing the 10,000 Small Businesses program in 2016, our business has doubled revenue, doubled head count and created a new company with 12 employees.”
Eligible businesses have been in business for at least two years, have at least $100,000 in revenue and employ at least two individuals (including the business owner). Businesses of all types and across all industries are encouraged to apply.
Qualified prospects can apply and gather additional information at www.10KSBapply.com/Iowa. Applications are due Oct. 15.
The program will last for three months and will launch in January 2019 with business owners taking a blend of in classroom courses and at home online learning. Participants can expect to be in the classroom a few days a week, then return to their businesses to apply what they’ve learned. This cycle repeats itself throughout the three-month program.
Participants may learn more through online information sessions offered Oct. 3 and 9. To register for these sessions, visit www.tinyurl.com/10kSBIowa.