B-Force By The Numbers
480+
B-Force Accelerator has graduated over 480 black-owned businesses since its inception while having a six-figure economic impact on each cohort since 2022.
11K+
B-Force has provided over 11,000 one-on-one hours of technical and specialty assistance in addition to 500+ instructional hours.
$1.6M
B-Force has provided $1.6 million in capital access to program participants.
HOW IT WORKS
You know, building a company? Tough stuff. Especially if it’s just you (or maybe a co-founder), a business plan that exists mostly in your mind, and the bone-deep belief that you’re set for great things. But hey, that’s where we step in.
B-Force Accelerator is a 12-week intensive that helps Black and Latinx businesses become more fundable in order to access capital, scale your business, and build a great team. Participants learn through dynamic in-person workshops and 1:1 consultation, receive 12 hours of technical assistance from accountants, lawyers, marketers, designers, and more, make strategic connections, have opportunities to win business grants and capital, and get connected to B-Force’s powerful community and partner network.
Successful participants walk away with an investment-ready and loan-ready business plan, five-year pro forma financials, and a rolodex of business advisors.
LAUNCH + CREATE
Launch into 20+ interactive sessions and 1:1 consultations with industry experts to strengthen your market, legal and financial positioning.
ACCELERATE + CAPTIVATE
Engage in our cash mob, business pop up, and banking relationship building + credit repair dinner, and expand your professional network and exposure exponentially.
LAND + CONNECT
Share your story, have an opportunity to win a grant from our network, and connect with major players and free resources to grow, scale and fund your business..
Because of B-Force’s focus on how to develop banking relationships, Rhonda was able to solidify a new banking relationship that yielded $40,000 in business credit. Additionally, by way of our partner network, Rhonda joined another business development program with a funding stipend attached.
OUR ECOSYSTEM
MAIN STREET BUSINESSES
Driving Black and Latinx businesses to thrive! We connect growth-stage and Main Street businesses with the right consultants and resources, ensuring they’re investment-ready. Our mission? To forge scalable businesses poised for success in accessing vital capital.
CONSULTANTS
Participants are matched with top-notch lead consultants who offer one-on-one mentorship and receive 12 specialty consulting hours of technical assistance in accounting, legal, finance, marketing, contracting and more.
B-FORCE PARTNER NETWORK
Plug into our network of major corporate partners, organizations, business development programs, and other accelerators to continue growing, building your network, and accessing more capital opportunities.
CAPITAL RESOURCES
The accelerator serves as a vital link between entrepreneurs and essential capital resources by helping participants build critical relationships with banking partners, CDFI’s, and other funding resources.
Ronjeanna was the recipient of a $6K B-Force grant which was instrumental in helping her secure a delivery van in connection with her Collab to Impact Tour Initiative which delivers 200+ meals to underserved areas in GA, MD, and VA.
WHAT IT TAKES
If you’re ready to make your business 10X’s more fundable, we want to help! Take a look at our criteria to see if B-Force Accelerator is the right fit for you.
We invite you to apply if the following is true:
- You’re either a resident of or own a business located in Hampton Roads, VA.
- You have operated your business for a minimum of 2 years.
- Your business’s annual gross receipts total less than $2M.
- You’re focused on accessing capital and scaling your business over the next year.
- You’re committed and ready to fully engage.
NOT A FIT FOR B-FORCE RIGHT NOW?
No Problem! Check out Surge: Community Business Academy, designed to help seed-stage companies become more profitable. Surge is a PHENOMENAL pre-requisite for B-Force.
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APPLY TODAY!
INFO SESSIONS NOW AVAILABLE!
In order to apply to B-Force, potential participants must attend a free info session. There, you’ll learn all about our program, application process, and apply on the spot or receive the application link directly during the session.
Black BRAND HQ: 520 E. Main St. Ste. 4 Norfolk, VA.
July 29th – Info Session #1
August 5th– Info Session #2
August 12th– Info Session #3
August 19th – Info Session #4
JOIN B-FORCE ACCELERATOR!
UPCOMING COHORT BEGINS: 9/17/2024
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 8/26/24
To receive application updates and be notified of futute cohorts, please enter your details below.
“B-Force has helped me build community. I have an actual network of people I can contact for help, feedback, and fellowship”. Cindy leveraged opportunities made at The Connecting Flights Resource Fair to establish a Virginia PTAC counselor, register for federal contracts, receive a free subscription to BidMatch, join VWIEC, hire four interns through Hampton Roads Workforce Council’s NextGen Internship program, and create joint ventures with other B-Force alumni to include the provision of training services to identify and prevent elder abuse.
MEET OUR ALUMNI
B-Force Accelerator has helped over 400 black-owned businesses to build capital-ready business plans. Check out our Alumni Rolodex!
FAQ’S
Does B-Force Accelerator help nonprofit organizations?
Absolutely! If you have a nonprofit organization that has been in existence for a minimum of two years, we invite you to apply to B-Force and benefit from strengthening your operations, business plan, connections, technical assistance with finance, legal, marketing and more, and your overall fundability.
How many businesses are accepted into each cohort?
Each cohort accepts a maximum of 40 businesses.
Does the accelerator provide seed capital?
While B-Force does not provide seed capital or make any promises by way of grants, each participant will be presented with ample opportunities to win business grants, build relationships to access capital, and benefit from our partner network, which is capital resource-rich.
What is the time commitment for participating in the accelerator?
Each participant should plan on allocating approximately seven hours per week to spend working on your business and attending workshops.
What if my business has been established for a while but has made no money?
If your business meets the minimum of having been established for two years but has no revenue, we still encourage you to apply. Businesses are selected based on revenue potential as well as high-growth potential. There are many means by which we assess the viability of the business, and the best way to know for sure is to attend an info session, introduce yourself and apply!
CONTACT
Still have questions? Want to join the B-Force partner network? Interested in sponsorship? Please reach out! We’d love to speak more with you about how to get involved with B-Force Accelerator.
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