Providing Business Opportunities for Underserved Populations

Fayetteville State University, in partnership with the Carolina Small Business Development Fund (CSBDF), announces Forward Cape Fear, a program providing emerging entrepreneurs and existing small business owners with significantly improved access to funding through training and mentorship support programs.

The program will focus on underrepresented populations in Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Robeson, and Sampson counties in North Carolina. Participants will be required to complete coursework on key business success factors and core competencies shown to be critical for entrepreneurial success and are required to perform market tests to confirm viability of their proposed business models.

After successful completion of the program through pre-screened and pre-qualified cohorts, entrepreneurs will be eligible for consideration of start-up microloans in the amount of $500 – $2,500 from CSBDF. Existing business owners seeking funding to expand operations or improve profitability can gain access to pre-loan guidance, consultations tailored to their specific business needs, and be recipients of larger working capital loans averaging $25,000 each.

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