NextStage MBE Academy - Merrimack Valley Overview

SUPPORTIVE BUSINESS NETWORK
 
Once connected, business owners have this revelation: “I don’t have to be alone.” As a participant, you’ll be surrounded by CEOs, like you, who will become your trusted advisors. There is also an alumni group of CEOs, living around the country, for you to connect with for advice and business opportunities.
PRACTICAL BUSINESS EDUCATION
 
The NextStage Minority Business Entrepreneur Academy Program is powered by Interise's award-winning StreetWise 'MBA'™ curriculum. This hands-on program provides the knowledge and know-how business owners need to create (and manage) a customized, three-year strategic growth plan.
ACCESS TO CAPITAL  & CONTRACTING 
 
Prepare for opportunities with government and anchor institutions, and learn from experts in the field of both public and private lending. Preparation for contracting success is a unique feature of the StreetWise 'MBA'™
© Copyright 2023 INTERISE

National Program Results
Based on 2022 Assessment Data, collected by Interise

  • 96% of Businesses recommend the program
  • 75% of alumni businesses increased or maintained their annual revenues, with an average annual revenue growth of 38%.
  • 78% of alumni businesses reported being profitable.
  • 60% of alumni CEOs stay connected to fellow participants, with 29% doing business with each other.
  • 68% of alumni businesses added or retained jobs
  • $85M: Total value of new financing secured by alumni

Basic Eligibility Requirements 

  • Business located in Merrimack Valley (Lowell, Lawrence, Methuen, Haverhill or their surrounding cities.
  • Minority business owner maintaining at least 51% business ownership of the business.
  • Annual revenue between $150,000 and $5,000,000
  • A minimum of one full-time employee besides the owner(s).
  • Been in business for at least 3 years.
  • Willingness and ability to attend a 7-month course, complete mandatory assignments, and complete program surveys as requested. 
APPLY TODAY!

Are you ready to take your business to the next level?

NextStage MBE Academy - Merrimack Valley is an innovative program designed specifically for established small business owners. We provide you with the know-how, training, and networks needed to turn growth plans into action. NextStage Minority Business Entrepreneur Academy - Merrimack Valley is a great opportunity to focus on your goals, maximize your time, and make a big leap forward. 

View our eligibility requirements below.

NextStage MBE Academy 

MEET THE GRADUATES

"Since the program, I have worked on two city contracts and two projects with one of the general contractors that supported the program. In a year’s time of starting the program, I have doubled my revenue and number of employees.” 

Terry Sowells, CEO

SCMU, Inc.

Interise Alumni

POWERED BY 

POWERED BY

For questions contact: programs@interise.org

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR

Franky Descoteaux is an educator and entrepreneur at heart. She holds a Master's degree M.S., in Innovation & Technical Entrepreneurship from UML, and is the former Director of the Entrepreneurship Center @CTI Community, and former Executive Director at EforAll. She is proud to be an adjunct faculty of Entrepreneurship, at Middlesex Community College.   

Her own entrepreneurial efforts are varied and include a passion for Main Street-oriented community building through entrepreneurship. She is proud to have supported efforts to revitalize Downtown Lowell, as the founder/co-founder of three small businesses; Mambo Grill, Monkeys, and Humanity.   

She has a unique understanding of the challenges of being a small business owner/operator and greatly honors the people who choose to serve on that path. 

Franky Descoteaux
Former Director of the Entrepreneurship Center at CTI
Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Middlesex Community College
“You pick up so much information so fast. I learned that you really get to know yourself before you get to know your business. You are never as alone as you think you are.”

 Lena Redd, Co-Owner    The SouLao'd Kitchen    Interise Alumni

"I don’t think you will find a better ROI than the Streetwise "MBA"TM course. Our main deliverable from this class was a three year Strategic Growth Plan. With this plan in hand now, I believe we will have reduced the time to reach our growth goals by not weeks or months, but by years. We are much farther along than we would have been otherwise.”
“The Streetwise MBA helped me understand financial reports such as balance sheets and cash flow statements. I am more aware of the financial consequences of my decisions; as a result my business is more profitable and professional.  I learned about target marketing which has increased my ideal client base.  An added value is I learned to manage my time more efficiently, which allowed me to split my personal and work time.”

Angela Weston, CEO

Angela Weston Insurance Agency

Interise Alumni

Peter Bergeron, CEO

OwlStamp Visual Solutions

Interise Alumni