MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (MBD)

PROJECT of the Melton Center at University of South Alabama

The next Minority Business Development class begins on August 20, 2024. Minority owned businesses who are in startup stages and/or have been in business six months or less, and who are willing to commit 30 hours of classroom time and additional outside work are eligible to apply.

Education
Planning
Networking

The Minority Business Development (MBD) program is designed for entrepreneurs in the conceptual-idea stage and newly created companies where the founders have little to no business experience. Participants will learn about customer discovery, market research, legal, financial, and business planning, everything needed to start their businesses. The participants will spend the 8 weeks learning from subject matter experts (SMEs) who will present from the point of view of a brand-new business. Companies present their homework and receive feedback from their instructors and classmates. The MBD program is one night a week from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM and pays modest stipends to those selected, typically 6-8 companies, to encourage participation. At the end, participants have a completed business plan and will pitch for possible funding to invest in their businesses.

Quick Facts

Entrepreneurs with an idea or in business less than 6 months that want to move their concept forward.

For participants to gain business knowledge, graduate with a business plan, and to pitch for possible funding to invest in their business.

The Minority Business Development program is a program of the Melton Center at the University of South Alabama. The MBD program is focused on minority entrepreneurs (pre-start-up stage) with conceptual business ideas to complement the Melton Center’s existing Minority Business Accelerator (MBA) program. Visit the USA website to learn more.

If this course interests you but you’ve missed the registration window, please contact us as we have other programs that may suit your needs.