Innovation Lab
Program Details
Participating Cities
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Multicultural Small Business Labs

Bridgeport, CT

Our next Multicultural Small Business Lab is being held in Bridgeport, CT. It will kick off on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 and run every Wednesday evening through November 1, 2023. Hurry now, space is limited to 100 participants. 

Registration closed

Program Highlights

M&T Bank’s Multicultural Small Business Lab is an intensive weeks long program designed to help to empower, develop and scale racially and ethnically diverse small businesses. It aims to promote business and financial inclusion through empowerment, providing diverse owners the much-needed access to information, tools, resources, and connections they need to grow and thrive. The lab’s mission is to present an opportunity for multicultural businesses to increase their visibility, accelerate their business and achieve success. 

Creating a Business Plan

Learn what it takes to create an effective business plan through discussion on setting goals, knowing your industry, what finances you have in place, and much more!

All About Credit

Do you need to understand more about credit and how it can affect your business? With M&T small business multicultural lab, we will dive into the importance of credit, accessing capital and how you package your credit application.

Marketing & Branding

Learn how to make your business stand-out among the competition through an in-depth discussion on branding and marketing so you can be prepared to get the word out on your diverse business. 

Pitch Tips

You have everything that you need to scale and grow your business, but your business needs funding. As part of the series, we will provide you tips and tricks when presenting to potential investors. Learn how to present with ease and how to make your business plan shine.

Innovation Lab Overview

The M&T Multicultural Innovation Lab celebrates and empowers local multicultural owned small businesses through education and a spirited competition. For the Bridgeport edition, we will be partnering with University of Bridgeport. The location for this 8-week program will be at the University of Bridgeport, School of Business, Mandeville Hall:

University of Bridgeport, School of Business, Mandeville Hall
230 Park Ave
Bridgeport, CT 06604

Registration closed

Program Eligibility

Open to existing Multicultural small business owners and hopeful Multicultural small business owners in the planning/concept phase (e.g. Black/African American, Hispanic) – in accordance to local demographics.

  • Been in business less than 5 years
  • Average annual revenues of $250K or less

Schedule

  • 8-week course presented by M&T Bank experts and community partners 
  • Beginning September 13, 2023
  • Course ends November 1, 2023
  • In-Person Attendance
  • 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesday evenings

Curriculum

  • Business Planning (1 session)
  • Credit Fundamentals (2 sessions)
  • Marketing & Branding (1 session)
  • Networking & Community Resources (1 session)
  • Business Valuation (1 session)
  • Cash Flow & Financial Statements (1 session)

 

Pitch Competition

  • First Round: 2-minute video with written answers
  • Second Round: 3-minute live pitch with a 2-minute Q&A
  • Prizes:
    • 1st place – $10,000 check
    • 2nd place – $7,000 check
    • 3rd place – $5,000 check
    • 4th place – $3,000 check

FAQs

You must be a resident of the city where the lab is being held. Please refer to the specific location terms and conditions.

Yes, the principal owner needs to be a permanent legal resident of the Bridgeport, CT . See terms and conditions.

We are open to different kinds of multicultural – racially & ethnically diverse small owned businesses (e.g. Black/African American, Hispanic). To qualify, the principal owner must be 18 years or older, a permanent legal resident of Bridgeport, CT, be in business for 5 years or less, and have a annual business revenue of $250,000 or less. See terms and conditions.

Registration closed

Participating Cities

Interested in participating in one of our Multicultural Small Business Labs? Check out the details in your area. Your area not shown? Keep checking back. We will continue to add more locations.

Buffalo, NY

1332135729

Harrisburg, PA

Bridgeport, CT

Worcester, MA

Harlem, NY

Multicultural Small Business Lab for disabled diverse small businesses in partnership with the National Disability Institute (Location, TBD)

Past Bridgeport Events

 

M&T Bank’s Multicultural Small Business Lab  has had sucessful events that happened in Bridgeport, CT.  Check out more about our past events.

September 2022

Bridgeport Multicultural Small Business Lab
University of Bridgeport

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About M&T Multicultural Banking

At M&T, we understand that the needs and desires that our Multicultural communities have are distinctive. We are committed to meeting those unique needs, whether you are a Black, African American, Hispanic, Asian, an immigrant, refugee, LGBTQ+, a person with different abilities, or a combination. Here at M&T, we celebrate you and empower you with the financial tools and resources you need to thrive. We are investing in the growth and sustainability of our diverse small business and communities!

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NO PURCHASE, ACCOUNT OPENING, LOAN APPLICATION, DEPOSIT OR PAYMENT IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN, NOR WILL IT INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING. There will be two rounds in the Competition. The preliminary judging (Round I) will be on or about October 25, 2023. Eight Finalists will proceed to the final pitch (Round II) to be held at the graduation event on or about November 1, 2023. The competition is open to any business participating in the Multicultural Small Business  Bridgeport 2.0 – 2023 Lab Pilot with a principal owner who is a permanent legal resident of greater area of Bridgeport, CT and is 18 years of age or older as of the date of the Competition. Each participant in the competition (Entrant) must have attended all classes in the Program to qualify. Employees, officers, directors, agents, contractors and representatives of Sponsor, University of Bridgeport, and their affiliates, advertising and promotions agencies (the “Released Parties”), and such persons’ immediate family members and members of their households are ineligible to participate in the Competition. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. No business may win more than one prize. First Prize will consist of a $10,000 check. Second Prize will consist of a $7,000 check. Third Prize  will consist of a $5,000 check. Fourth prize will consist of a $3,000 check. Sponsored by M&T Bank. © M&T Bank. Member FDIC.