Initiative for a Competitive Inner City

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Initiative for a Competitive Inner City

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, Business consultant, PO Box 191297, Boston, MA.

ICIC's mission is to promote economic prosperity in America's inner cities through private sector engagement that leads to job, income and wealth creation for local residents.

05/28/2026

Looking to grow your business, strengthen your strategy, and access capital?

Join an upcoming virtual information session for ICIC’s Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) Greater Boston Cohort and learn how this business accelerator can support growth-stage entrepreneurs over five months.

Choose from two upcoming sessions:

📅 Tuesday, June 2, 2026
🕤 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM ET

📅 Thursday, June 4, 2026
🕟 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM ET

During the session, you’ll hear directly from ICCC Program Director Diego Portillo Mazal and learn how ICCC supports entrepreneurs with real-world tools to grow their business.

ICCC provides qualifying businesses with access to tailored business education, one-on-one coaching, capital access support, expert-led learning, and practical tools for marketing, customer engagement, financial discipline, data-driven decision-making, and AI.

The Greater Boston Cohort launches June 24. Small business owners in Greater Boston are encouraged to act quickly as applications are open now, and space is limited.

Apply today at http://icic.org/iccc/apply

Interested small business owners and support organizations can register here for our information sessions :

June 2nd session: https://icic.my.salesforce-sites.com/events/event/home/2026bosinfosessionam

June 4th session: https://icic.my.salesforce-sites.com/events/event/home/2026bosinfosessionpm

05/26/2026

Through our partnership with FedEx, ICIC is proud to support and celebrate entrepreneurs who are building strong businesses, creating opportunities, and making an impact in their communities and beyond.

At this year’s Annual Conference, Susanne Birbragher, Founder and CEO of Liaisons Corporation, was named the recipient of the FedEx Champion of Global Entrepreneurship Award. Presented as part of the Inner City 100 Awards Ceremony, this award recognizes one IC100 winner whose business embodies FedEx’s values and commitments to diversity, global trade, empowering entrepreneurs, and creating employment opportunities.

Founded in Miami, Liaisons Corporation specializes in experiences that connect people, businesses, cultural institutions, artists, and communities around the world. As Susanne shares, “Liaisons has always been about connectivity and building community — creating bridges that support clients, strengthen relationships, and bring value to the destinations and communities they serve.”

FedEx’s partnership with ICIC helps expand this kind of entrepreneurial impact through programs like Inner City Capital Connections and the Inner City 100 Awards, empowering business owners with access to resources, recognition, and pathways for long-term growth.

Congratulations to Susanne and the Liaisons Corporation team on this well-deserved recognition!

05/23/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month — a reminder that caring for ourselves is essential to how we lead, work, and build community.

For small business owners and entrepreneurs, the demands of running a business can be especially heavy. From managing finances and teams to serving customers and navigating uncertainty, the work often comes with long hours, high pressure, and personal sacrifice.

At ICIC, we recognize that supporting entrepreneurs means supporting the whole person — not just the business. Strong businesses are built by people who deserve access to resources, community, rest, and support.

This month and beyond, we encourage small business owners to check in with themselves, lean on their networks, and remember that asking for help is a sign of strength.

05/22/2026

Attention small food business owners! 🍽️

Ready to strengthen your business plan, sharpen your pitch, and gain the tools to grow sustainably?

Join an upcoming webinar to learn more about Santander Bank US ’s Cultivate Small Business program — a FREE 12-week MBA-style virtual program designed for early-stage food entrepreneurs, with a focus on supporting historically underserved founders in low-to-moderate income communities.

Through live virtual classes taught by Babson College professors, participants will build a stronger understanding of their target market, financials, and growth goals — and successful graduates may be eligible for capital grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000.

Upcoming webinar dates:
📆 Tuesday, June 16 at 3 p.m. ET
📆 Thursday, July 9 at 3 p.m. ET
The Fall 2026 cohort is open to entrepreneurs in all 50 states. Applications are due by July 21.

Learn more and apply here: icic.org/programs/csb/infosession

05/21/2026

Happy International Tea Day!

Today, we’re spotlighting Nancy Daniel, founder of Madhrasi Chai and Santander Cultivate Small Business alumna.

Raised in South India, Nancy grew up with chai as a symbol of comfort, hospitality, and connection. When she couldn’t find the bold, authentic chai she knew and loved in the U.S., she created it herself — launching Madhrasi Chai to bring fresh ginger, whole spices, and culture-rich flavor to cafés, homes, farmers markets, and community spaces across New England.

Through Cultivate Small Business, Nancy strengthened her business foundation, built meaningful connections with fellow entrepreneurs, and continued growing her vision. She later returned to the network to participate in Santander’s first-ever Next Course Pitch Competition, where she won the grand prize: a $50,000 grant to support Madhrasi Chai’s continued growth.

Nancy’s story is a powerful reminder of what happens when culture, creativity, and community come together — one cup at a time.

This International Tea Day, we’re raising a cup to Nancy, Madhrasi Chai, and the entrepreneurs building businesses rooted in purpose and connection.

Read Nancy's story at reports.icic.org/stories/nancy-daniel/ and keep an eye out for details on the 2026 Next Course Pitch Competition.

05/20/2026

A few weeks ago at the ICIC Annual Conference, three ICIC program alumni took the stage for our Gentler, Kinder Shark Tank-Style Pitch Competition — and they brought incredible ideas, energy, and heart.

Congratulations to Christine Dixon, creator of Harriet Tubman Herself, on being named the winner! Christine’s interactive one-woman show has reached audiences across the U.S. and internationally, helping keep Harriet Tubman’s legacy alive in a powerful and engaging way.

We also want to give a big thank you to all of our pitching companies:
⭐ Tayo Davies, Founder of Med Clinical Research Partners, LLC
⭐ Christine Dixon, Actor and Creator of Harriet Tubman Herself
⭐ Laith Pahlawan, Founder & CEO of Bloom

Each entrepreneur shared a thoughtful vision for their next stage of growth, and we’re grateful they brought their stories and ideas to the ICIC community.

Thank you as well to our “Gentle Sharks” — Dr. Topé Mitchell, Cam Miller, Jonathan Tower, and Doug Wheeler — for sharing their insights, encouragement, and practical feedback.

Congratulations again to Christine, and thank you to everyone who made this session such a fun and meaningful part of the Annual Conference!

05/18/2026

Congratulations to two incredible ICIC community members on their recent recognition!

ICCC program alumnus and past IC100 Award winner Roberto Martinez was honored with the Modern Entrepreneur Award for Community & Economic Impact by the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles. Roberto’s work continues to help Main Street businesses, immigrant entrepreneurs, and underrepresented founders access the tools, training, and support they need to grow and compete in today’s economy.

We’re also celebrating Jeanette Velasquez, who has been selected as a Commonwealth Heroine – Class of 2026 by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. Through Velasquez Tax & Business Services and Core Values Strong Families, Jeanette has spent nearly two decades helping small businesses, families, and underserved communities build financial stability and create lasting change.

Roberto and Jeanette embody the spirit of the ICIC community: leading with purpose, showing up for others, and creating meaningful economic impact in the communities they serve.

Please join us in congratulating them on these well-deserved honors!

05/13/2026

Last month, we officially kicked off Year 2 of Building for Growth in New Jersey with an in-person event at Kean University!

Designed for construction business owners ready to scale, Building for Growth is an 18-week hybrid executive education program that helps contractors strengthen their operations, improve financials, build capacity, and pursue larger contracts.

This year’s cohort will also dive into green infrastructure, equipping participants with insight into sustainability standards and climate-resilient projects that are shaping the future of the construction industry.

We’re proud to continue this partnership with Kean University and NJEDA to support New Jersey construction contractors as they break barriers, build businesses, and strengthen communities.

Congratulations to this year’s cohort — we’re excited to see the growth, connections, and impact that come from the months ahead!

05/12/2026

Small business owners, this one’s for you! 🚀

If you’re looking for ways to sharpen your skills, access funding opportunities, and connect with resources that can help your business grow, Verizon Small Business Digital Ready is worth exploring.

Through the platform, entrepreneurs can access free courses, events, and opportunities designed to support business owners at every stage.

Current opportunities include:

✅ Verizon Small Business Super Pitch
Submit your entry by May 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM PT for a chance to win an exclusive trip to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final and compete for up to $20,000 in a final pitch competition judged by two-time World Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Carli Lloyd.

Enter the Super Pitch: digitalready.verizonwireless.com/static/articles/Verizon-Small-Business-Super-Pitch.html

✅ Digital Ready $10,000 National Grant

Verizon, in partnership with LISC, is awarding $10,000 grants throughout the year. Complete any two eligible courses or events on the Digital Ready platform to unlock your application. Ten small businesses are selected each month, and applications remain eligible for future rounds throughout 2026.

Learn more here: digitalready.verizonwireless.com/funding/details

✅ Additional Sponsorships and Offers
Business owners can also explore opportunities from partners including Indeed, Intuit QuickBooks, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and more.

Explore more opportunities: digitalready.verizonwireless.com/category/promotions

Whether you’re looking to build new skills, pursue funding, or discover tools that can support your next stage of growth, these resources are designed with small business owners in mind!

05/08/2026

In honor of National Small Business Week and National Small Business Day, we’re taking a moment to cheer on several incredible members of the ICIC’s Alumni Network (ICAN) who were recognized by SBA district offices for their achievements!

Congratulations to these outstanding business leaders:
⭐Maqsood Ali of TSI Engineering, Inc. — Small Businessperson of the Year from the SBA Sacramento District Office and a 2025 IC100 Award Winner
⭐Ronnette Meyers of JLAN Solutions — Small Business Person of the Year in Washington, D.C. and a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses and ICCC alumna
⭐Troy Anthony of Troy Anthony Fashion — Microenterprise Business of the Year from the SBA Connecticut District and an ICCC alumnus
⭐Mike Hess of Mike Hess Brewing Co., LLC — Veteran-owned Small Business of the Year from the SBA San Diego District and an ICCC alumnus
⭐Hyacinth Tucker of The Laundry Basket LLC — Veteran-owned Small Business of the Year from the SBA Baltimore District and an ICCC Program alumna
⭐Vicki Gray of New Chapter Home Improvement Services — Woman-owned Business of the Year for Massachusetts and New England and a BFG and ICCC alumna

We’re proud to celebrate these changemakers for their leadership, resilience, and community impact. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!

05/06/2026

Congratulations to the 2025 IC100 winners! 🎉

At this year’s conference, we were proud to recognize an outstanding group of businesses whose growth, leadership, and impact are helping transform communities across the country.

Since 1999, ICIC’s IC100 awards have celebrated the fastest-growing businesses in under-resourced communities — companies that are creating jobs, driving economic revitalization, and showing what is possible through entrepreneurship and innovation.

This year’s winners represent companies across 21 industries, with an average 435% four-year revenue growth and 2,277 jobs created between 2020 and 2024.

We were honored to celebrate these incredible businesses and the impact they are making in their communities every day. Congratulations again to all of the 2025 IC100 winners — your success is inspiring!

Address

PO Box 191297
Boston, MA
02119

Website

https://linktr.ee/icicorg

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