The nonprofit Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center recently announced a new $1.3M grant from Wells Fargo to support the fourth year of the Milestone Circles program. This peer-driven mentorship program accelerates the growth mindset of women entrepreneurs across America.
Milestone Circles aims to reach more than 2,000 women entrepreneurs in its 4th year, growing the community to over 6,000. The program, which launched in 2021, has already supported over 4,000 women entrepreneurs. In this coming year, it will support an additional 2,250, growing the total community to over 6,000 scale-ready women business owners. 67 percent of participants said they are looking to grow beyond a mid-size company.
Each 12-week Circles cohort convenes women entrepreneurs from comparable business stages, segments or geographies. They come together virtually on a biweekly basis, meeting with a group of peers and coach facilitators to exchange ideas, trade resources, grow their networks and ultimately, achieve target milestones that accelerate business growth.
Some key findings from polling Milestone Circles participants include:
- 92 percent of Milestone Circles alumni remain active in the community post-graduation.
- 52 percent of Milestone Circles graduates committed to mentoring new cohorts.
- 91 percent of participants reported an increase in confidence at the end of the program.
- 96 percent of participants reported they were more connected to their ‘why’ at the end of the program.
- 95 percent of participants reported they were more connected to their values at the end of the program.
“These peer-led Circles have a series of impact magnifiers: the learning is greater due to the confidence fostered in the circle; the tail of the benefit is significant due to the residual social capital; and the self-directed learning pathways continue to ramp after the 12 weeks conclude,” said Nicola Corzine, Founding CEO of the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center.
The program is free for entrepreneurs and is made possible thanks to the generous support of Wells Fargo. Since 2020, Wells Fargo has invested more than $5M towards supporting women entrepreneurs in collaboration with the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center.
“Milestone Circles is changing the growth trajectory for thousands of small businesses while reshaping how important it is for entrepreneurs to build a network of support,” said Darlene Goins, head of philanthropy and community impact at Wells Fargo.
About The Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center
The Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center is a nonprofit committed to growing access and resources for entrepreneurs worldwide. The Center meets the real-time needs of entrepreneurs through educational programming and then shares its learnings with policy-leaders, capital allocators and academic institutions. For more information please visit: http://thecenter.nasdaq.org/
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