MICHIANA REGIONAL PROGRAM

IBE Black Business Training Institute

The Black Business Training Institute was developed to (1) ensure that participating business owners have sufficient knowledge, opportunities and relationships to sustain and grow their business; (2) help upskill entrepreneurs and provide support that ultimately helps increase their revenues; and (3) to develop community wealth and help close the racial wealth gap.

This program is offered free of charge to those who are accepted. BBTI training sessions focus on practical business skills that can immediately be applied by small business owners.

Michiana Details & Application

MICHIANA REGIONAL PROGRAM

IBE Black Business Training Institute

The Black Business Training Institute was developed to (1) ensure that participating business owners have sufficient knowledge, opportunities and relationships to sustain and grow their business; (2) help upskill entrepreneurs and provide support that ultimately helps increase their revenues; and (3) to develop community wealth and help close the racial wealth gap.

This program is offered free of charge to those who are accepted. BBTI training sessions focus on practical business skills that can immediately be applied by small business owners.

Michiana Details & Application

Michiana 11-week BBTI Cohort

The eleven-week training course is free of charge to all businesses that are accepted into the program. Minority Small Business Owners and all Small Business Owners in the Michiana area are invited to apply. Partners include IBE, Indiana Small Business Development Center, Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, Elkhart Chapter of Indiana Black Expo, and the City of Elkhart.

IBE partners will provide additional technical support and resources to maximize success for participating business owners. Registration is open until August 30.

Award
A check for $1,000 is awarded to the top business owner/business that excels in the program and receives perfect attendance. The business owner/business will be recognized at a special networking event hosted by the Elkhart Chamber of Commerce.

Michiana Cohort Training Topics

The 11-week cohort session will consist of the following topics:

9/4      Clinic 1: Program Overview (one-time Wednesday night session)

9/14  Clinic 2: Business Development and Planning

9/21  Clinic 3: Financial Management – Part 1 and 2

9/28    Practicum Week – Work on Business Plans

10/5  Clinic 4: Technology & Operational Management

10/12  Clinic 5: Marketing and Branding

10/19  Clinic 6:  Procurement – Doing Business with Public & Private Sectors

10/26  Clinic 7: Access to Capital – Part 1

11/2   Clinic 8: Access to Capital – Part 2

11/9   Clinic 9: Business Plan final checkpoint, Summary, Grant overview

11/14  Clinic 10: Networking Reception for graduates

Eligibility Requirements

The following is a list of criteria, not exhaustive and eligibility requirements:

  • You must be a Minority-owned or Small Business Owner.

  • Only the business owner is eligible to participate.

  • If a business owner operates more than one business, only one application for a single business will be accepted.
  • The business name on the application must match the records with the state, county and city. Your business must be in good standing with the state, county and city.
  • The business must have a Certificate of Good Standing.
  • The business must have a business address in the Michiana area.
  • Agree to share financials and other essential information.

What businesses are NOT eligible to apply?

  • Businesses that are franchises and chains.
  • Liquor stores, cannabis, etc. (per SBA guidelines).
  • Independent contractors operating multilevel or network marketing businesses (such as Avon, Mary Kay, 5LINX, Pampered Chef, etc.).
  • Independent contractors working on gig platforms such as Airbnb, Fiverr, Uber, Lyft, Instacart, etc.

Is the information and data within my application held private?

  • Yes. Individual applicant information and data will not be shared beyond the purposes of review during the selection process. Applicant data will not be sold. Aggregated applicant data may be reported for evaluation and knowledge-sharing purposes.

Contact Us

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact us at Communications@indianablackexpo.com

Apply For the Michiana Cohort

The timeline to apply has passed and applications are no longer being accepted.

Program Sponsors & Partners