SBA Begins Recruiting Candidates for its 2018 Emerging Leaders Class

On Feb 14, 2018

The U.S. Small Business Administration New Jersey district office is seeking qualified candidates for its fifth Emerging Leaders class, an intensive executive-level entrepreneurship training program for small business owners from across the state.

According to SBA New Jersey District Director Al Titone, the seven month executive intensive entrepreneurship education series starts on April 3 and will be held at the Rutgers Business School in Newark. The program has no out of pocket expense for participants, but has a significant time requirement that calls for approximately 100 hours of classroom time per participant.  In addition to the training, small business owners will be given the opportunity to work with experienced mentors, attend workshops, and develop connections with their peers, city leaders, and financial communities.

“The Emerging Leaders Initiative advanced training series is open to small business owners and executives who have annual revenues of at least $400,000; have been in business for at least 3 years; and have at least one employee, other than self,” said Titone. “Between now and March 9  we are looking for the 17 most qualified small business owners who meet this criteria, are committed to the program and on the cusp of taking their businesses to the next level.”

Titone noted that over the last four years participants have come from all parts of the state.  “When we interview potential candidates to become part of the Emerging Leaders class, we’re looking for a small business owner to make a significant time commitment and who has the desire to grow their business significantly,” said Titone.  “In exchange, we are offering small business owners the chance to earn what is essentially a mini-MBA.  We have seen over 60 students go through this program in New Jersey and each of them has improved their business processes as a result of being enrolled in the Emerging Leaders program.”

According to Titone, the SBA Emerging Leaders executive-level training series is now available in 60 cities and communities across the country. Entering its 11th consecutive year, the initiative has trained more than 5,000 promising small business owners, helped to create over 6,500 jobs, generated $300 million in new financing, and has helped small business owners to secure $316 billion in government contracts.

“Over time, the Emerging Leaders initiative has been a catalyst for expanding opportunities for underserved communities,” added Titone. “We are excited about recruiting and interviewing candidates for our fifth class here in Newark.   Our primary goal is to get inner city small business owners, who are poised for next-stage growth, and provide them with the necessary support, resources and skills to help them to achieve long-term success.”

Locally, the SBA is teaming up with Rutgers Center for Urban Entrepreneurship & Economic Development (CUEED), Financial Resources Federal Credit Union, Greater Newark Enterprises Corporation (GNEC), M&T Bank, NJ Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), NJ Small Business Development Centers and The 504 Company to sponsor this year’s program.

Local recruitment for the 2018 training cycle is underway for the Newark initiative and classes are scheduled to begin on April 3. Information on eligibility requirements and how small business owners can apply to participate in the program can be found at www.sba.gov/emergingleaders.  The online application to be considered for the 2018 Emerging Leaders initiative in Newark can be found at http://www.interise.org/sbaemergingleaders.

For additional information about the Emerging Leaders program, contact Program Coordinator Dominick Belfiore of the SBA New Jersey district office at (973) 645-3683 or by emailing him at [email protected].

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