Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center Chicago was one of five organizations selected to be part of the new Learning Group on Scale. The Learning Group will assist participating organizations in advancing their progress toward scale by learning from the experiences of current Scale Academy members, pursuing a customized agenda that addresses their specific issues and challenges, and participating in collective initiatives designed to advance the field's pursuit of scale.
The Learning Group first met in September 2009 and will continue through 2010.
Scale-up Strategy:
Renaissance's strategy is to increase scale by tailoring training and conducting outreach to populations currently underserved or not served, including Spanish speakers and formerly incarcerated peoples. |
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Background:
Since 1985, the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center has worked to empower and increase the entrepreneurial capacities of socially and economically diverse women and men of the Bay Area, and thereby strengthen communities through the creation of sustainable new businesses, new jobs, and the promotion of financial self-sufficiency.
Core Microenterprise Services: |
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center offers intensive, practical, hands-on programs that respond to the multiple needs of diverse small business owners at all stages of business development. Their programs include:
- Training classes and one-on-one technical assistance on all topics associated with business development and financial education
- Loans range from $2,000 Credit Builder Loans to $500,000 Expansion Loans
- Business Incubation
Highlights: |
- Continue and expand Spanish language programs for Latino entrepreneurs.
- Introduce "Out of the Box" - a new program of entrepreneurship training and support services for formerly incarcerated women and men.
- Partner with social service agencies to introduce their clients to entrepreneurship training.
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Current Scale:
FY2007: 856 clients served
FY2008: 938 clients served
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Scale Projections:
FY2009: 1200 clients served
FY2010: 1500 clients served |
Learning Questions:
How do we increase the level of commitment from clients?
How can we overcome the challenges of multiple locations (particularly around communication and culture)?
