Residents to receive $5,000 to turn business ideas into reality
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (August 20, 2024) – Applications are now open for Oklahoma residents to participate in the Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator this fall. Anyone with novel ideas is encouraged to apply to the 90 day virtual program. Those who are accepted in the program receive up to $5,000 to help them turn ideas into potential businesses or ventures.
This statewide expansion is supported by Heartland Forward and Edward Jones, building upon local investment. This expansion is part of a multi-year commitment to help expand opportunities for entrepreneurs across the state.
Anyone in Oklahoma can apply here by September 29, 2024. Residents with the most promising and innovative ideas will be selected to participate in a 90-day virtual program starting on November 7, 2024.
Since 2021, Heartland Forward has been committed to fostering early entrepreneurial ideas through the Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator. Local partners have previously supported the program in Tulsa and will do so again in the upcoming Fall cohort. The additional spots made available in Oklahoma with the support of Edward Jones will also ensure that anyone with a novel idea anywhere in the state can put it into action, adding to the goal of funding and supporting more than 1,000 Builders across the heartland by the end of 2024.
“Oklahoma has always been a place for innovation to thrive, which is part of the reason the first heartland cohort with the Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator Program was based here,” said Ross DeVol, president and CEO of Heartland Forward. “We have had over 300 Builders in Oklahoma go through the program and it is exciting to be launching statewide. It is an honor for Heartland Forward to play a small part in supporting the journey of these builders.”
“This new funding builds on the work that started and continues strong with our partners in Tulsa as we strive to open a truly accessible, Universal Onramp to entrepreneurship and idea-stage funding to anyone in the state of Oklahoma,” said Donna Harris, CEO of Builders + Backers. “Together with our partners and funders we can break down barriers to entrepreneurship and enable anyone to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.”
“Through our partnership with Heartland Forward and Builders + Backers, we’re excited to support entrepreneurs in Oklahoma who are looking to turn their creative ideas into businesses or ventures,” said Dan Bosch, Market Leader from Edward Jones. “We look forward to seeing the next cohort of builders put their ideas to the test through this program.”
To learn more about the Builders who have completed the Idea Accelerator program through the support of Heartland Forward and other partners, see here. For more information on how communities and businesses can support the statewide expansion of the Idea Accelerator Program, please contact Builders + Backers here.
About Heartland Forward:
Heartland Forward is a policy think-and-do tank dedicated to being a resource for states and local communities in the middle of the country. We do this by studying broad economic trends and building data-driven and community-tested partnerships, programs and policies to address the needs of the heartland – all while helping to change the narrative about the middle of the country and kick-starting economic growth.
About Builders + Backers:
Builders + Backers helps entrepreneurial dreamers become Builders who create and grow promising new companies. Our innovative, research-backed workshops, events, and programs, combined with our full stack of philanthropic and investment funds, work together to create a “Universal Entrepreneurship Onramp,” making it possible for anyone to bring their ideas to life and make a real impact in the communities they call home.
About Edward Jones:
Edward Jones is a leading financial services firm in the U.S. and through its affiliate in Canada. The firm’s nearly 19,500 financial advisors serve more than 8 million clients with a total of $2 trillion in client assets under care at the end of March 2024. Edward Jones’ purpose is to partner for positive impact to improve the lives of its clients and colleagues, and together, better our communities and society. Through the dedication of the firm’s approximately 54,000 associates and our branch presence in 68% of U.S. counties and most Canadian provinces and territories, the firm is committed to helping more people achieve financially what is most important to them.