Every Third Tuesday | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Can you start a real business with just $500? Yes—and we’ll help you prove it.

This hands-on monthly lab is for aspiring entrepreneurs, creatives, and side hustlers who want to build a real business that solves problems in areas like climate and clean energy, access to healthy food, mental health and wellness, education, transportation, affordable services, or community safety.

Whether you care about the environment, your neighborhood, or making life better for others, this lab helps you turn that into a business you can start with just $500.

We’re not here for the quick hustle. We’re here to build businesses that last.

💡 What to Expect:

📄 Business idea prompts, budget planning, and paper prototyping
🧠 On-site mentors to guide you step-by-step
🛠 Canva templates and startup tools you can use right away
✨ A creative space to sketch, test, and validate your idea

By the end of the night, you’ll hopefully leave with a solid idea, a rough plan, and clear next steps to start building your business, with support along the way.

🏆 3 Participants Will Win:

First Place - 💰 $500 Seed Award - Funds deposited into a partner bank account to help launch your business, with a simple use-of-funds plan.
Second Place - 🧠 Mentorship Award - One-on-one guidance from experienced mentors until the next ThriveXcelerator cohort begins.
Third Place - 🪪 Founder Spotlight Award - Public recognition on our Founder Spotlight Wall at Emerge and Rise, plus a feature on our social media and newsletter.

All three winners are fast-tracked into the ThriveXcelerator, our 18-week growth program.

The $500 Business Challenge – Open Lab Series