Resource Roundup: Join the Entrepreneurs Access Network for Black and Latinx-led companies

This is Resource Roundup, a look at open applications for business and career-building programs, funding and other opportunities around the region. Want to share a new resource for entrepreneurs and technologists? Email us at philly@technical.ly.

To combat a lack of connections and funding that can hinder Black and Latinx entrepreneurs, professional services firm Ernst & Young is putting a call out for these entrepreneurs of color to participate in its yearlong mentorship program, the Entrepreneurs Access Network.

In the 2022 program, participants be assigned a mentor, attend its Strategic Growth Forum, and get access to the org’s network of capital and connections. The program was created in response to the pandemic’s effect on Black- and Latinx-owned businesses in 2020, and is a free program for those admitted.

Those eligible for the program must be a Black or Latinx owner or founding CEO of a scalable company that’s been in business for more than two years. The program will last a year and include assessments, one-on-one coaching, online tools, networking events and promotional exposure.

“If networking and funding barriers for Black and Latino entrepreneurs were equal to non-minority founders, all communities would benefit,” the program page says. Apps are open through Sept. 17, and leaders will be chosen in November.

76 Forward Retail Pharmacy Customer Experience Accelerator

76 Forward (just renamed from 1776) is launching an accelerator focused on the customer experience in retail pharmacies in partnership with CVS Health. Its goal is to convene and offer resources to founders working on solving everyday consumer problems within the healthcare industry.

This 10-week, free program is meant for up to 10 earlier-stage companies, seed to Series B round. The program will be virtual, meeting weekly for an hour on Wednesdays, plus weekly mentor meetings. It will conclude with a pitch competition featuring audience voting and prizes, with the possibility of raising capital from local investors in attendance.

The chosen companies will gain access to 76 Forward’s programming, network relationships and corporate partner introductions, with topics covering the likes of financial forecasting, best hiring practices and branding strategy. After completing the program, participating companies will get membership to the 76 Forward network for an additional six months. Apps are open through Aug. 27.

EDA’s STEM Talent Challenge

The U.S. Economic Development Administration is launching the STEM Talent Challenge which will award $2 million in funding to support programs that train STEM talent and fuel regional innovation economies.

Applicants can be nonprofits, states, cities, counties, higher ed institutions, federal labs or science parks, or economic development orgs. Per the EDA, applicants must show their plans to engage regional entrepreneurs and innovators, build a workforce pipeline, strengthen collaboration between these groups, or place new employees into immediate job openings with regional employers in need of STEM talent.

Applicants can request up to $250,000 for implementation of their program over two years, and a one-to-one funding match is required. The deadline to apply is Oct. 12.

SXWS Panel Picker

South by Southwest is in the process of picking the sessions for its March 2022 conference — currently scheduled to return IRL in Austin — and community voting is open. That means you can browse proposals, leave comments and vote to shape the next conference.

Community voting makes up about 30% of the final look and feel of the tech and music fest, the org says. Check out the proposals through Friday, Aug. 26, at 11:59 p.m. One local technologist we know whose session is up: David Dylan Thomas with “That’s Great, But How Do I Convince My Boss?”

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And check out these programs from previous Resource Roundups that are still open:

• University of Pennsylvania’s Detkin Intellectual Property and Technology Legal Clinic
• PGW + Temple Energy Innovation Lab
• PHL Career Portal is a free, virtual training and resource hub for folks who are job hunting.
• PropelPHL aims to convene the entire Greater Philadelphia region’s workforce ecosystem.