Greetings!  

Earlier this month, we were honored to receive a $75,000 Citi Microentrepreneurship Award at the 2013 Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) National Conference which we won with the support of AmeriCorps VISTA Bryan Franklin. 

We were equally enriched by conversations with thought-leaders and entrepreneurs who share our mission to empower the microbusinesses which are the engine of economic growth in the United States. According to the AEO, if just one in three microbusinesses added one additional employee, our entire country would be at full employment. With the support of community partners and funders, we're realizing that vision for the entrepreneurs who live outside our office and surrounding cities. 

Next week, 83 entrepreneurs will graduate from the Community Business Academy. Many will go on to receive support through our Business Acceleration Services. These extensive services include access-to-capital for entrepreneurs like Valerie Dixon who are ready to transition to storefronts and entrepreneurs like Joanna De Leon who can transform their businesses with the right tools.  

As we close the month, we welcome two new team members Haymawatie Persaud and AmeriCorps VISTA Russell Borenstein-Burd who join us to change the world, one entrepreneur at a time!

Sincerely,

The Rising Tide Capital Team