Filter: Community Growth Program

PRESS RELEASE: Applications Now Open for Detroit Residents to Turn Their New Business Ideas into Reality Through Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator Powered by Heartland Forward

Program offering up to $5,000 is through partnership with Michigan Central and Newlab DETROIT – Today, Heartland Forward, Builders + Backers, Michigan Central, and Newlab announced that applications are now open for Detroit residents to apply for up to $5,000 to help them turn ideas into potential businesses or ventures. Anyone with an idea for… Continue reading PRESS RELEASE: Applications Now Open for Detroit Residents to Turn Their New Business Ideas into Reality Through Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator Powered by Heartland Forward

PRESS RELEASE: WINTER COHORT CLOSES WITH NEARLY 100 BUILDERS GETTING $400,000 IN FUNDING TO TEST IDEAS

70% of the Winter 2023 Idea Accelerator Heartland Participants Launched or Are Growing New Ventures Arlington, VA — Builders + Backers and Heartland Forward announced the completion of the 2023 Winter Cohort with 92 new entrepreneurs receiving nearly $400,000 in funding to test their ideas, build products and launch their new ventures. 70% of the… Continue reading PRESS RELEASE: WINTER COHORT CLOSES WITH NEARLY 100 BUILDERS GETTING $400,000 IN FUNDING TO TEST IDEAS

Press Release: Applications Now Open Across the Heartland for Residents to Turn New Business Ideas into Reality Through Idea Accelerator Program

The program is welcoming new cohorts in the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta region, Detroit, Eastern Shawnee tribe, Montgomery, Northwest Arkansas, Tulsa, and West Tennessee Bentonville, Ark. – Heartland Forward and Builders + Backers are proud to announce the opening of applications for residents across the heartland to access training, resources and up to $5,000 to help them… Continue reading Press Release: Applications Now Open Across the Heartland for Residents to Turn New Business Ideas into Reality Through Idea Accelerator Program

Heartland Forward and Builders + Backers Award Over $1M to Aspiring Entrepreneurs

In 2022, hundreds of entrepreneurs across 10 states received $5,000 grants with opportunity for additional funding Bentonville, Ark. – Today,  Heartland Forward and Builders + Backers announced they have given over $1 million in Pebble Fund grants to aspiring entrepreneurs throughout 2022 as part of the Idea Accelerator program. Heartland Forward partnered with Builders + Backers to bring… Continue reading Heartland Forward and Builders + Backers Award Over $1M to Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Business Record (Iowa): Would a $4/hour pay increase for child care workers reduce attrition rates in the industry? Yes, according to one experiment in Iowa City

Fearless, an initiative of the Business Record (Iowa) that focuses on female entrepreneurs and business leaders, recently took a deep dive into the project of three members of Heartland Forward + Builders and Backers’ first Idea Accelerator Iowa City cohort who studied the child care workforce crisis. Read about what Iowa City residents Jeanie Wade-Nagle,… Continue reading Business Record (Iowa): Would a $4/hour pay increase for child care workers reduce attrition rates in the industry? Yes, according to one experiment in Iowa City

Heartland Forward Receives Rebuilding Better Grant to Support Entrepreneurship in the Heartland

Grant from Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation will help Heartland Forward spur entrepreneurship in mid-sized cities across the heartland. Bentonville, Ark. – Today, Heartland Forward, a non-partisan think and do tank dedicated to improving economic performance in the middle of the country, announced they have received a Rebuilding Better grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.… Continue reading Heartland Forward Receives Rebuilding Better Grant to Support Entrepreneurship in the Heartland