Our Kind of Startup

Our goal is to structure the 100 Urban Entrepreneurs funding-and-mentoring program in favor of individuals; they are, after all, the ones with the great ideas. We’re canvassing the entire country to help entrepreneurs start businesses, as we’re preferential to those that make not just profits, but also a positive impact on their local community. We’re therefore also interested in traditional brick-and-mortar ideas and not merely those that occupy the trendier high-tech space. A few more guidelines about what we’re looking for:

• Founding entrepreneurs’ gross annual household income cannot exceed $25,000 for an individual or $45,000 for a family of four based on verifiable income statements and/or federal tax returns.
• We’re interested in pure startups (a coherent idea but not yet a company in operation) or existing businesses (but in operation for no more than 12 months).
• Must have the potential for short-term profitability (cash flow–positive within six to 12 months).
• Can come from any industry, with the following exceptions: multi-level marketing operations; real-estate purchases; franchises; or illegal activity of any kind.
• Can be based in any city within the 50 United States.