Worcester Roots, an organization that helps with economic and other opportunities, has received an $80,000 state grant as part of an entrepreneurship mentoring program.
The funding, announced Monday, is aimed at helping Worcester Roots launch improved mentoring and support through its Worcester Co-op Business Academies, a 14-week program that will incorporate business planning, cohort building, resource connecting, and mentoring that will take place in fall 2018 and 2019. Worcester Roots, which is based at 4 King St., will also develop resources for residents looking to start cooperatives and for businesses seeking to convert to a co-op model, and help co-ops develop tools they need to ensure sufficient business capacity and growth plans.
Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Jay Ash announced the grant Monday at a stop at Worcester Roots.
“This support fills a much needed gap in our cooperative entrepreneurship work in Worcester,” Matt Feinstein, the co-director of Worcester Roots, said in a statement. “It will allow us to both match startup cooperatives with experienced mentors and train a team of peer mentors who have recently been through the startup process and can help guide the new social entrepreneurs.”
