Intelligent SME.tech Issue 18 | Page 6

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Bank of America offers 100,000 small business owners skills-building at Cornell
Bank of America has announced a further expansion of the Bank of America Institute for Women ’ s Entrepreneurship at Cornell .
Due to the programme ’ s success , Bank of America will add 50,000 seats – bringing the total enrolment of small business owners to 100,000 – enabling women entrepreneurs , specifically women entrepreneurs of colour , to gain critical business acumen to drive their businesses forward .
This expansion is just one way the company is delivering on its commitment to advancing racial equality and economic opportunity .
Since its launch in 2018 , the Bank of America Institute for Women ’ s Entrepreneurship at Cornell has enrolled 50,000 individuals from the US and 120 additional countries , primarily women , of whom 90 % identify as women of colour .
Registration is open to anyone worldwide , regardless of gender , educational background or business stage and is one of the only Ivy League programmes offering a certificate in women ’ s entrepreneurship , at no cost .
Capitalise and Enterprise Nation to empower SMBs with financial support
Capitalise has announced a partnership with Enterprise Nation – a small business support network – that will deliver a pioneering finance hub , giving small businesses access to finance and strategic support in one place .
The hub will deliver access to business credit scores , access to finance and strategic online workshops and e-learning in a bid to improve the financial knowledge of the UK ’ s small business community .
“ At Capitalise , our vision is to give small businesses and their advisers transparency and control over business finance , in one place ,” said Paul Surtees , CEO and Co-founder , Capitalise .
“ Our partnership with Enterprise Nation is built around the principle of giving every business an equal chance of success by increasing financial understanding in the small business community . With access to over 100 business lenders , our aim is to help them build a healthier business .”
‘ Toughened-up ’ businesses emerge postpandemic according to new study
British businesses have emerged from the pandemic toughened up and ready to face the future , according to a landmark global study from Sage .
Sage ’ s Small Business , Big Opportunity ? report uncovers how SMBs – which represent 61 % of UK jobs and 52 % of UK turnover – are surviving and thriving despite current public health , economic and societal challenges .
However , they warn of rising costs and the need for greater government support and better financing options to weather the conditions over the next twelve months .
Steve Hare , CEO , Sage Group , said : “ The government must do more to safeguard their prosperity against a backdrop of continued uncertainty and rising costs – or we risk forcing them to choose between protecting people or protecting profits .
“ Overlooking smaller businesses endangers the recovery , thousands of UK jobs and the success of the government ’ s levelling agenda ; we all have a role to play in futureproofing their success .”
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