what we do
we offer up seed money to folks who want to start new businesses in struggling areas of the U.S. THIS REquires a few steps:
THE SIMPLEST PART IS THE FUNDRAISING. WE MARKET THE BEJINKIES OUT OF THe bedrock initiative campaign USING ALL AVAILABLE AVENUES— TRADITIONAL MEDIA, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND OF COURSE, WORD-OF-MOUTH. PEOPLE THEN DONATE VIA THIS HERE WEBSITE. BOOM. SEED MONEY.
THEN COMES THE real WORK.
first, we get the word out to government and organizational officials who have a vested interest in the areas we're targeting. (see our starter-list here.) we welcome assistance from anyone who can help us get the word out to aspiring entrepreneurs bent on improving their community through commerce.
NEXT, our PANEL OF BUSINESS-SAVVY VOLUNTEERS REVIEWS THE FIRST FIFTY SUBMISSIONS WE GET FROM CITIZENS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THEY’LL NARROW THE POOL DOWN TO THE ONE THAT MOST EFFECTIVELY ADDRESSES THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
WHOEVER HAS THE MOST SOUND BUSINESS PLAN GETS THE DOUGH and some guidance from one of our fancy business experts.
FINALLY, THERE WILL, of course, BE FOLLOW-UP, ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES IN THE FORM OF A CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT AND PERIODIC check-ins FOR AT LEAST THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION. YOU KNOW. JUST TO MAKE SURE THE BUSINESS ACTUALLY GETS ESTABLISHED AND WE DON’T HAVE TO SUE ANYBODY FOR FRAUD OR WHATEVER.
THAT’S IT. NOT ROCKET SCIENCE. Socio-ECONOMIC SCIENCE, YES, BUT NOT ROCKET SCIENCE.
THE SIMPLEST PART IS THE FUNDRAISING. WE MARKET THE BEJINKIES OUT OF THe bedrock initiative campaign USING ALL AVAILABLE AVENUES— TRADITIONAL MEDIA, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND OF COURSE, WORD-OF-MOUTH. PEOPLE THEN DONATE VIA THIS HERE WEBSITE. BOOM. SEED MONEY.
THEN COMES THE real WORK.
first, we get the word out to government and organizational officials who have a vested interest in the areas we're targeting. (see our starter-list here.) we welcome assistance from anyone who can help us get the word out to aspiring entrepreneurs bent on improving their community through commerce.
NEXT, our PANEL OF BUSINESS-SAVVY VOLUNTEERS REVIEWS THE FIRST FIFTY SUBMISSIONS WE GET FROM CITIZENS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THEY’LL NARROW THE POOL DOWN TO THE ONE THAT MOST EFFECTIVELY ADDRESSES THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
- DEMAND FOR THE PROPOSED PRODUCT OR SERVICE
- WORKFORCE AVAILABILITY (ARE THERE ENOUGH LABORERS WITH THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE BUSINESS OR IS THERE A TRAINING PLAN IN PLACE?)
- LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY OF THE BUSINESS
- PROJECTED ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED BUSINESS ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY OF THE TARGETED DEPRESSED REGION (HOW MANY JOBS WILL IT CREATE, WHAT OPPORTUNITIES DOES IT CREATE FOR OTHER BUSINESSES IN THE AREA, ETC.)
- ANTICIPATION OF LOGISTICAL DIFFICULTIES, ESPECIALLY LOCAL ONES (ONE BAD STORM, FOR EXAMPLE, AND DEAD INTERNET SERVICE AND WASHED OUT ROADS CAN KNOCK A BUSINESS OUT.)
WHOEVER HAS THE MOST SOUND BUSINESS PLAN GETS THE DOUGH and some guidance from one of our fancy business experts.
FINALLY, THERE WILL, of course, BE FOLLOW-UP, ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES IN THE FORM OF A CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT AND PERIODIC check-ins FOR AT LEAST THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION. YOU KNOW. JUST TO MAKE SURE THE BUSINESS ACTUALLY GETS ESTABLISHED AND WE DON’T HAVE TO SUE ANYBODY FOR FRAUD OR WHATEVER.
THAT’S IT. NOT ROCKET SCIENCE. Socio-ECONOMIC SCIENCE, YES, BUT NOT ROCKET SCIENCE.
