Urban Vision Initiative at UTC

Last night's Community Connect event at Transcard HQ was a huge success, thanks to everyone who attended! Our UVI entrepreneurs enjoyed showcasing their businesses and networking with members of the community. This pitch contest and networking opportunity is a key part of our effort to help UVI entrepreneurs further their businesses and compete for a spot in Transcard's accelerator initiative, AccelUp. The program provides a $15k grant, mentorship from Transcard leaders, and immersion into the Chattanooga business community. We're excited to announce that we'll be revealing the two winners of the pitch contest at our upcoming UVI graduation ceremony on May 18th. We can't wait to share in the celebration of our entrepreneurs' growth with you. Keep an eye out for your invitation to the ceremony!

Join us for the Urban Vision Initiative x AccelUp Community Connect Event on March 2nd at 6:00 PM at Transcard Headquarters! This pitch contest and networking opportunity is designed to further UVI entrepreneurs and provide the chance to compete for a spot in Transcard's accelerator initiative, AccelUp. The program offers a $15k grant, mentorship from Transcard leaders, and immersion into the Chattanooga business community. Hosted by Transcard and The Gary W. Rollins College of Business at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, this event is not to be missed.

RSVP now using the link below and become a part of the UVI community's growth and success.
https://lnkd.in/dH4E6aBP

Nine entrepreneurs have graduated from a six-week boot camp to stabilize their new businesses or tweak business plans. Now, these entrepreneurs will work with seven student consultants who will guide the entrepreneurs in specific areas, such as web design, cash flow, and marketing.

Our student consultants have trained all of the Fall 2022 semester to be prepared for this semester of work. The entrepreneurs will work directly with the student consultants to optimize their business plans.

Next, we will begin an introductory series for both our entrepreneurs and our student consultants.

UVI is an entrepreneurship program designed to reduce poverty and wealth inequality among Chattanooga’s underserved communities. The Jack and Charolette Frost Family Foundation makes this program possible; covering student pay and other expenses. Nine Entrepreneurs have successfully graduated from the program's intensive six-week Bootcamp.
Next, these entrepreneurs will have the choice to compete for AccelUp's $15,000 grant at a Pitch Competition on March 3rd at Transcard. Transcard has committed to awarding two UVI entrepreneurs this AccelUp grant.

Be sure to follow along and share our posts. The entrepreneurs and our student consultants will be highlighted on our pages so don't miss out.

Read more here:
https://lnkd.in/g73-EWPA

Mike Bradshaw is the Entrepreneur-in-Residence in the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Gary W. Rollins College of Business.

UVI's in-person sessions are almost complete. The cohort will continue the program online for the next 10 months under Mike's guidance.

Learn more about the program here:
https://www.teknovation.biz/utcs-mike-bradshaw-leading-new-urban-vision-initiative/

The Urban Vision Initiative is the newest program within the Gary W. Rollins College of Business. Its mission is to support individuals who are developing new businesses in underserved areas of Chattanooga.

Entrepreneur-in-residence, Mike Bradshaw, is leading a team of eight student consultants and delivering core components to the cohort.

The first cohort of UVI is underway and nine entrepreneurs in the Chattanooga area are undergoing the 10-month program.
UVI is pleased to work with Launch Chattanooga, Tech Goes Home, The Company Lab, La Paz, Pathway Lending, Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union, and the City of Chattanooga.

This program serves a great cause and fills a significant need in our community. You can support the program by following and sharing UVI's new social pages on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. These pages will feature the businesses of the cohort and share the entrepreneur's stories. Our goal is to make these businesses known and celebrated by the Chattanooga community.

For more information visit UVI's website at utc.edu/uvi or email Mike Bradshaw at [email protected].