SC Community Loan Fund Announces 2023 Local Entrepreneur Acceleration Program (LEAP) Application
Columbia, SC - January 30, 2023 - The South Carolina Community Loan Fund is announcing the launch of its first cycle of the Local Entrepreneur Accelerator Program (LEAP) for 2023. This year is the 5th anniversary of the program that supports diversity within South Carolina's small business owners, focusing on minority and women entrepreneurs to expand their business knowledge while creating a refined business plan. The application period begins in January and closes at 5 pm on February 17, 2023. To apply, visit LEAP's website here.
South Carolina Community Loan Fund has financed $75.3 million in 389 loans, including the completion of rural communities, providing minority- and women-owned businesses financing, and financing the construction of healthy food retail in the state's food deserts.
ABOUT THE LEAP PROGRAM
The program is an intensive 10-week course culminating in a business plan pitch competition. Following the presentations, the three most robust plans receive $5,000, $10,000, or the grand prize of $30,000.
"LEAP has been instrumental in advancing The South Carolina Community Loan Fund's mission of benefiting the people in the most need of economic opportunity," said Greg Perry, Program and Partnership Manager. "There were 47 small business participants in our 2022 program, and we look forward to seeing even more organizations in 2023."
SCCLF has hosted five rounds since establishing the program. LEAP has brought in over 100 participants, resulting in a total of $210,000 in seed capital funding awarded through the program to help build a more diverse small business economy in South Carolina.
CURRENT SESSION INFORMATION
The next LEAP session will be virtual and open to anyone in the state of South Carolina, with priority admission given to the following locations:
· Conway/Myrtle Beach
· Dillon county
· Marlboro county
· Orangeburg county
· Barnwell county
· Sumter
· Greenville
· Spartanburg
Everyone is encouraged to apply, regardless of location. Beginning March 21, 2023, classes will be held virtually on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, with the last class on May 23. LEAP Participant's business plans are due on June 1, pitch recordings are due on June 9, and Pitch Nights are on June 13, June 14, and June 15.
Any entrepreneur or team of entrepreneurs interested in developing or expanding a business in South Carolina can apply to participate in LEAP.
South Carolina Community Loan Fund
For nearly 20 years, the South Carolina Community Loan Fund's (SCCLF) mission has been to advance equitable access to capital to build assets and benefit the communities and people most in need of economic opportunity. Acknowledging that the need for our work is rooted in generations of injustice and disinvestment, SCCLF focuses on serving people of color, women, low-income individuals, and those in rural communities. To learn more about the work of SCCLF and current projects, visit our website.