Boston 2014 Emerging Leaders Initiative launches

The 2014 Emerging Leaders Initiative (formerly e200) and its MBA-style program has launched in the city. Entering its 7th consecutive year, the initiative has trained more than 100 promising small business owners in the area. The Emerging Leaders Initiative takes place in 27 cities across the country. The Emerging Leaders Initiative is a seven-month course taught by Interise and hosted by the Harvard Innovation Lab in Allston, from April-October. The program includes 40 hours of classroom time per participant, allowing small business owners to work with experienced mentors, attend workshops, and develop connections with their peers, city leaders and financial communities. Participants in the program will graduate with a personalized, three-year strategic plan for long term growth and strategies to achieve size and scale. Co-sponsors for the Emerging Leaders/E200 Program include the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council, the Hispanic Chamber Institute, Eastern Bank, First Trade Union Bank, Boston Private Bank, and Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation plus the Small Business Development Centers network, Center for Women and Enterprise, SCORE, the City of Boston, and the State Office of Supplier Diversity. Robert Nelson, SBA Mass. district director, said, "This program gets stronger with each passing year. We are currently working to ensure that the fifteen Boston-based small business owners that join the Emerging Leaders Initiative in 2014 are the best yet - ready for growth and enthusiastic about the opportunity. This is a 'mini-MBA' program compressed into just a few months and the participants will come out with invaluable knowledge and life-long business contacts, mentors, and friends." The training is provided free of charge to eligible participants. Participants must commit to attend all sessions and to do the required out-of-class work. Boston-area small business owners and especially Allston and Brighton-area business owners are encouraged to apply. Expressions of interest are due March 17th. For general information about Emerging Leaders, please visit www.sba.gov/emergingleaders. For local information about the Emerging Leaders program in Boston, including letter of interest forms and contact information, please visit www.sba.gov/ma.