Innovation Lab
Program Details
FAQs

Multicultural Small Business Labs

Harrisburg, PA

Our next Multicultural Small Business Lab is being held in Harrisburg, PA. It will kick off on Wednesday, May 10th and run every Wednesday evening through June 21st. Hurry now, space is limited to 50 participants.

Registration now 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 Harrisburg edition, we will be partnering with Harrisburg University. The location for this 7-week program will be at the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology:

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
326 Market Street
Harrusburg, PA 17101

Registration now 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/Latinx, Asian American) – in accordance to local demographics.

  • Been in business less than 36 months
  • Average annual revenues of $350K or less

Schedule

  • 7-week course presented by M&T Bank experts and community partners 
  • Beginning May 10th, 2023
  • Course ends June 21th, 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)

 

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 - $6,000
    • 2nd place - $4,000
    • 3rd place - $2,000

Participating Cities

Interested in participating in one of our upcoming 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

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA skyline on the Susquehanna River at dusk.

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)

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 Harrisburg, PA . See terms and conditions.

We are open to different kinds of multicultural – racially & ethnically diverse small owned businesses (e.g. Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian American ). To qualify, the principal owner must be 18 years or older, a permanent legal resident of Harrisburg, PA , be in business for 36 months or less, and have a annual business revenue of $350,000 or less. See terms and conditions.

Registration now closed.

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!

Learn more
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 June 7, 2023. Seven Finalists will proceed to the final pitch (Round II) to be held at the graduation event on or about May 21, 2023. The competition is open to any business participating in the Multicultural Small Business Innovation Lab Pilot with a principal owner who is a permanent legal resident of Harrisburg, PA (and surrounding towns) 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, 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 $6,000 check. Second Prize will consist of a $4,000 check. Third Prize will consist of a $2,000 check.  Sponsored by M&T Bank. © 2023 M&T Bank. Member FDIC.