Endeavor, a New York-based nonprofit that promotes startup enterprise in emerging markets around the world, announced recently it is expanding into Birmingham with a new program called ScaleUp Birmingham, designed to help entrepreneurs expand the scope of their businesses.
ScaleUp Birmingham is accepting applications until April 10, with the program set to launch in May. Entrepreneurs can learn more and apply at http://www.endeavoratlanta.org/scale-up.
ScaleUp pairs business founders who are in the growth stage with founding owners who have already expanded their operations. The mentoring model includes six months of interaction without dilution of a company’s equity.
Endeavor, founded in 1997, has versions of ScaleUp in 10 of its 40 markets across Latin America, Asia, Africa, Middle East, and underserved areas of Europe and the United States.
ScaleUp activity Birmingham began last fall when Endeavor called on Tony Summerville, founder and CEO of Fleetio, a Birmingham-based fleet management software company, to help an Atlanta company, LeaseQuery, expand into Birmingham.
Individualized strategic growth workshops are used to create personalized roadmaps for each founder, to inform mentorship pairings and line up subject matter experts over the course of the program. Founders benefit from monthly workshops with their local cohort, designed and implemented with an executive coach.
Endeavor’s efforts are supported by Alabama Power, Alabama Small Business Capital and a new advisory board that includes founders who have successfully scaled businesses in Birmingham. The board includes Shegun Otulana, of Therapy Brands; Shipt founder Bill Smith, of Landing; former Daxko CEO Dave Gray, of Biso Collective; and venture investor Jared Weinstein, whose social impact entity, The Overton Project, was instrumental in bringing Endeavor to Birmingham.
