Veteran Seeds for Growth

The Economic & Community Development Institute is a Columbus, Ohio-based 501(c)(3) non-profit economic development organization founded in 2004. As the third largest US SBA intermediary micro-lender and a U.S. Treasury designated Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), ECDI's mission is to invest in people to create measurable and enduring social and economic change. Since 2004, ECDI has assisted over 13,000 individuals, disbursed over $43 million through over 2,000 loans, and created and retained over7,400jobs via our comprehensive suite of programs available through our offices in Columbus, Cleveland, Akron, Toledo, and most recently Cincinnati, Ohio. Our programs and services have been supported by over $69 million in federal, state, local and private funds, and have proven to spur local economic development. How do we do this? We invest, educate, and innovate with the businesses and people who are inspired and who inspire us.

Economic & Community Development Institute

Connect with veteran entrepreneurs, explore funding options, learn practical AI tools, and network over lunch and happy hour.

ECDI

Growing your business is easier when you have the right connections, the right resources, and the right opportunities all in one place. This event brings veteran entrepreneurs together to learn, connect, and discover new ways to grow their businesses with trusted partners and practical strategies they can use right away. Event Highlights<ul><li>Purposeful networking activities designed to help veteran entrepreneurs build real connections</li><li>Veteran-owned business marketplace where attendees can meet fellow business owners and sample their products</li><li>Complimentary lunch from <a href="https://mothermelsdiner.com/" title="https://mothermelsdiner.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Mother Mel's Wholesome Diner</a>, a veteran-owned food truck.</li><li>Drawings for a $500 grant and WBC memberships</li></ul> Educational Sessions Panel: Navigating Small Business Financing for VeteransHear from Huntington, ECDI, and Ohio Statewide Development Corp. on how to prepare for financing, explore funding options, and build a strong banking team/ Panel: Connected for Growth: Community Tools for Your BusinessLearn from the Women’s Business Center, SBDC, City of Columbus, and Franklin County about local programs, mentorship, and funding resources for veteran-owned businesses. Training: Unlock the Power of AI for Your Small BusinessDiscover how tools like ChatGPT can simplify your marketing, planning, and operations. This is your chance to connect with other veteran business owners, learn from experienced professionals, and walk away with tools and relationships that can fuel your next stage of growth. Reserve your spot today, space is limited and you won’t want to miss it.

The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling, and resource partner referrals to service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, military spouses, and family members interested in starting or growing a small business. <a href="https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/veterans-business-outreach-center-vboc-program#id-what-is-the-veterans-business-outreach-center-program" title="https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/veterans-business-outreach-center-vboc-program#id-what-is-the-veterans-business-outreach-center-program" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Learn more about the VBOC program.</a>VBOC services are provided without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, and disability. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. To make a request or obtain more information, please contact <a href="mailto:vboc@ecdi.org" title="mailto:vboc@ecdi.org" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">vboc@ecdi.org.</a>

Funded [in part] through a Grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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Veteran Seeds for Growth

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