Opportunities for entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds are set to expand with a new initiative. Impact AZ 2025, a statewide business accelerator, is gearing up to commence its third cohort aimed at fostering growth among small business owners.
The 9-month program, supported by the Black Chamber of Arizona, will begin its latest session on July 8 in Phoenix and will feature 23 entrepreneurs who have been granted full scholarships. These scholarships were made possible through $100,000 in sponsor contributions, emphasizing long-term business development.
Among the success stories is Vincent Valenzuela, who completed the program in 2024. Having spent 14 years in prison, Valenzuela found the accelerator crucial for his transition into a successful business owner. He reflected, “It was exactly what I was looking for. For me, to transition from incarceration, to a functioning member to society, to now, a good businessman.”
The program’s impact is significant, with graduates having secured over $5 million in contracts since 2022, according to the chamber.
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