WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS + MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES

Elevate your business with YBI’s MBAC Certification program.

The Youngstown Business Incubator’s Minority Business Assistance Center helps minority-owned startups and small businesses obtain crucial state certification.

The MBAC Certification cohort is a one-day intensive program for entrepreneurs who have owned and operated their business for at least one year. In a single day, participants will work through each crucial step of the state certification process, receiving hands-on guidance and support so they leave ready to submit their certification application.

Why is this important? Certified businesses receive more contract opportunities and potential funding!

The Youngstown Business Incubator’s Minority Business Assistance Center helps minority-owned startups and small businesses obtain crucial state certification.

This four-week program is for entrepreneurs who have owned and operated their businesses for a minimum of one year. Each week, our hands-on workshop walks each business owner through a crucial step of the certification process until they’re ready to submit their local certification applications to the state of Ohio during the final week.

Why is this important? Certified businesses receive more contract opportunities and potential funding!

APPLY HERE

An image of an MBE-certified small business owner.

Certification. Contracts. Capital.

Two Sessions in September 2025 – Reserve your spot now! Click HERE

We want to help every entrepreneur in their business endeavors and foster economic development. That’s why our 3-Phase Accelerator Program is so important. It includes MBAC Certification, MBAC Capital, and MBAC Contracts (formerly known as MBAC Create, MBAC Launch, and MBAC Grow).

This MBAC Certification program provides technical assistance to minority small business owners, focusing on certification procurement, contract procurement, and expanding business opportunities.

The program is available to U.S. citizens who are minority entrepreneurs, such as African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, or other people of color, as well as women-owned businesses. Participants must have owned and operated their company for a minimum of one year.

For each phase of the program, diverse speakers are invited to lead business management workshops related to their area of expertise.

To best encourage participation and motivate business owners to complete the program, the MBAC team grants one participant a monetary award. The grant amount and winner are determined based on the phase of the program the business owner participated in, as requirements for completion differ for each phase. Strong partners of MBAC will be asked to sponsor each award to continue cultivating every entrepreneur’s growth and sustainability throughout this region.

The dates and locations of each phase of this program vary each semester.

APPLY HERE

JOIN OUR WAITLIST FOR 2025

We want to help every entrepreneur in their business endeavors and foster economic development. That’s why our 3-Phase Accelerator Program is so important. It includes MBAC Certification, MBAC Capital, and MBAC Contracts (formerly known as MBAC Create, MBAC Launch, and MBAC Grow).

This MBAC Certification program gives technical assistance to minority small business owners in certification procurement, contract procurement, and accessing more business opportunities.

The program is available to U.S. citizens who are minority entrepreneurs, such as African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, or other people of color, as well as women-owned businesses. Participants must have owned and operated their business for a minimum of one year.

For each phase of the program, diverse speakers are invited to lead business management workshops related to their area of expertise.

To best encourage participation and motivate business owners to complete the program, the MBAC team grants one participant a monetary award. The grant amount and winner are determined based on the phase of the program the business owner participated in, as requirements for completion differ for each phase. Strong partners of MBAC will be asked to sponsor each award to continue cultivating every entrepreneur’s growth and sustainability throughout this region.

The dates and locations of each phase of this program vary each semester.

The Idea Stage

Class Information

Classes will be held at the Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI) at 241 W. Federal Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44503 on Wednesday evenings (April 12th – May 10th) from 5:00-7:00 pm.

Selection Process

Space is limited so acceptance will be on a first come, first served basis. Once reviewed, an email will be sent to confirm acceptance along with program guidelines.

Program Fee

There is a $50.00 non-refundable fee due upon acceptance, with information to follow upon acceptance. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:

The MBAC Certification cohort is a one-day intensive program for entrepreneurs who have owned and operated their business for at least one year. In a single day, participants will work through each crucial step of the state certification process, receiving hands-on guidance and support so they leave ready to submit their certification application.

CERTIFYING SMALL BUSINESSES.

By the end of the one-day program, participants will create their Ohio Business Gateway (OBG) account and submit their certification application to the state of Ohio. Once approved, business owners will gain greater access to capital and new opportunities to bid on major state-level contracts.

An image of a business owner with WBE certification.

APPLY HERE

Elevate your business with YBI’s MBAC Certification program.

Certification. Contracts. Capital.

The Idea Stage

Are you ready to elevate your business?

Class Schedule

WEEK 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

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