Workforce Continuing Education
Wake Tech and Partners Prepare Tomorrow's Business Owners
Community Leaders Collaborate to Support Southeast Raleigh Entrepreneurs
RALEIGH, N.C. (January 24, 2017) - Wake Tech is part of a unique new partnership that has been established to help entrepreneurs in Southeast Raleigh thrive. LaunchRaleigh, an intensive eight-week training program for business startups, will help nearly two dozen local small business owners continue to pursue their dream. The entrepreneurs were chosen to participate in the LaunchRaleigh program and formally inducted today, in a ceremony at Shaw University.
LaunchRaleigh partners include the Wake Tech/Wells Fargo Center for Entrepreneurship, the Rotary Club of North Raleigh, Passage Home, Shaw University, Saint Augustine’s University, the Carolina Small Business Development Fund, and the City of Raleigh. The partnership will provide budding entrepreneurs with vital training in how to create a business plan, apply for a loan, and develop marketing strategies. Successful business owners will share their expertise and serve as mentors.
“This is a ‘dream team’ for entrepreneurship,” said Katie Gailes, Wake Tech’s Director of Entrepreneurship Initiatives, “and one we’re very happy to be a part of! The partners share a strong belief in the project’s mission, value, and potential – and we’re committed to its success!”
Wake Tech President Dr. Stephen C. Scott echoed Gailes’ enthusiasm: “Wake Tech recognizes the importance of small businesses and the entire community’s role in their success. We’re thrilled to partner with other local institutions to support these startups.”
LaunchRaleigh Program Manager Matthew Kane (a North Raleigh Rotary Club member who is also president of Cutting Edge Engraving) says it is exciting to work with such exceptional partners, and to support business growth in Southeast Raleigh: “We wanted to mark our Rotary’s 50th anniversary with a high-impact project, and this is it! LaunchRaleigh will give small business owners what they need to be successful.”
LaunchRaleigh will also offer competitive access to capital. On completion, participants may qualify for microloans to grow their businesses. As the program supports these entrepreneurs it will also strengthen the Southeast Raleigh community.
Small businesses are the engine of local economic development. Their success is everyone’s success – but many fail without support and access to resources. This unique partnership program brings the experience and expertise of multiple community organizations together to provide small business owners with the training and tools they need, as well as access to vital financial resources.
