Explanation
Background: The Department of Development seeks to enter into multiple contracts in an amount totaling up to $925,000.00 for the implementation of the third year of the Accelerate Columbus program targeting small businesses.
In 2019, the City of Columbus launched Accelerate Columbus Small Business as part of a branded set of small business training, technical assistance, mentoring, and advisement programs targeting aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small business owners. Initially offered as a pilot program, the goal of the program was to provide structured as well as on-demand training, one-on-one advisement, and technical assistance to both aspiring and existing entrepreneurs and small businesses.
During the pilot year, the City selected and contracted with two organizations to administer the program on behalf of the City. The consultants administered the program in both classroom and small group settings over two tracts targeting businesses at particular stages of the business lifecycle. Accelerate Columbus: Start-Up and Launch targeted individuals in the exploration, ideation, and pre-revenue business lifecycle stages and Accelerate Columbus: Scale Up and Grow targeted those businesses in a revenue-generating posture and who were uniquely positioned for growth.
In 2022, the City selected and contracted with seven organizations to administer the Accelerate Columbus: Scale Up and Grow program on behalf of the City. These Entrepreneur Support Organizations provided services aimed at increasing the quality of local small business in individual and small group settings.
By way of this ordinance, the director seeks to encumber the planned funds from the 2023 operating budget for multiple contracts to administer the third year of the Accelerate Columbus program with to-be-determined firms. The department is currently engaged in the Request for Proposal process per Columbus City Code Chapter 329, but the process will not be completed before City Co...
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