Verizon Small Business Digital Ready
Business Development & Entrepreneurship Division at the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio helps bring digital transformation to diverse small businesses in Tri-State area of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia with Verizon Small Business Digital Ready
In partnership with Next Street and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Verizon Small Business Digital Ready aims to focus on women- and minority-owned businesses in under-resourced communities
The online curriculum will provide resources and in-depth support – including coaching, networking, and incentives
CINCINNATI, Ohio—December 31, 2021—Today, The Business Development & Entrepreneurship Division at the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio announced its plan to help bring a new online curriculum to small businesses across the Tri-State area of Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia: Verizon Small Business Digital Ready. In partnership with Next Street and LISC, the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready online curriculum is designed to give small businesses the tools they need to thrive in today’s digital economy, including access to personalized learning plans, coaching from experts and networking opportunities with diverse, industry-specific businesses.
More than 100,000 small businesses closed due to the pandemic, with a disproportionate impact on Black and Latinx-owned small businesses. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready offers businesses support, aiming to enable digital readiness and drive digital transformation through a customized curriculum that accounts for industry, size, and interests. The Business Development & Entrepreneurship Division at the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio is proud to be working with Verizon to reach those businesses most in need of support within Tri-State area of Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
“The Business Development & Entrepreneurship Division is pleased to partner with Verizon Small Business Digital Ready to help small businesses thrive and excel in the Tristate area of Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. The Urban League is supporting the Cincinnati community, and we can’t wait to see how this program helps advance minority and women-owned small business owners across the tristate area,” said Sheila A. Mixon, Senior Vice President | Business Development & Entrepreneurship, Executive Director | Women’s Business Enterprise Council Ohio River Valley.”
Developed by small businesses, Verizon Small Business Digital Ready provides a personalized experience – providing resources, networking and coaching tailored to a small business’s specific needs. The program can help small businesses move forward in four ways:
- Personalized Learning
Content presented by small businesses through brief, information-packed lessons small businesses can use right away.
- Expert coaching
Guidance from business experts across marketing, business planning, legal, and more.
- Peer Networking
Connections to other small businesses to build their networks.
- Incentives
A marketplace of tools, solutions, products, and services that can help small businesses. Participants will also be eligible to apply for grant funding exclusive to users of Verizon Small Business Digital Ready.[1]
To register and access, visit verizon.com/smallbusinessdigitalready.
This initiative is one part of Verizon’s commitment to providing one million small businesses with digital tools and resources by 2030 and is central to Verizon’s responsible business plan, Citizen Verizon, for economic, environmental, and social advancement. Launched in 2020 to move the world forward for all, Citizen Verizon leverages technology, innovation and resources to address the world’s most pressing issues across digital inclusion, climate protection and human prosperity. As part of Citizen Verizon, Verizon plans to exceed $3 billion in its responsible business investment from 2020-2025 to continue helping vulnerable communities bridge the digital divide and prepare for the digital economy of the future.
ABOUT VERIZON
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000, and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology, communications, information and entertainment products and services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $128.3 billion in 2020. The company offers data, video and voice services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security, and control.
ABOUT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP DIVISION AT THE URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER SOUTHWESTERN OHIO
The Business Development & Entrepreneurship of the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio’s mission is to help established entrepreneurs increase their capacity to take advantage of new business opportunities and qualify for financing that will lead to higher levels of business growth.
[1] Participants who register for Verizon Small Business Digital Ready and complete two courses or mentoring events will be eligible to apply for a $10,000 grant.
