Diverse Owners Program

The Diverse Owners Program is an “acquisitions accelerator” that funds entrepreneurs in the Southland seeking operational support to buy privately held companies.

The program represents a practical, applied guide that illuminates the process of forming an investment vehicle, raising capital, searching for a company, acquiring the company, managing that company, and ultimately selling it for a significant profit.

Key Dates

  • Applications open October 17, 2022

  • Applications close November 18, 2022

  • Cohort begins January 9, 2023

  • Cohort ends January 31, 2024

Program Goals

  • Train a community of acquisition and growth-oriented entrepreneurs

  • Increase the flow of capital to diverse businesses

  • Stimulate the acquisition and growth of businesses in the Southland

  • Fill critical need in the entrepreneurial ecosystem that plays to Southland strengths

Program Components

  • Entrepreneurs will receive a stipend over the course of the program.

  • Formal training and operational support to identify and negotiate business opportunities

  • Hands on guidance from industry experts, connections to investors, and networking with a cohort of entrepreneurs

  • Access to service providers to raise capital and close transactions

Industry Focus

  • Clean Energy

  • Technology

  • Real Estate

  • Metals, Machinery & Equipment

  • Food, Beverage, Manufacturing & Packaging

  • Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

Eligibility

This program supports individuals who wish to acquire a company in the Southland.

Experience

  • Business owners seeking to acquire company for growth

  • Business managers who are seeking to apply expertise as an entrepreneur

  • Entrepreneurship/MBA graduates who are seeking a non-traditional career path

Ethnicity

  • Ethnically diverse individuals are eligible for this program.

Location

  • Individuals must be located within, or relocating to Southland- Chicago, IL.

  • Businesses located in the Southland or with offices in Southland- Chicago, IL

Application Process

1. Submit your Application

2. Interview

3. Selection

*Additional interviews or application steps may be added, as needed by Diverse Owners Program.