EMERGING ENTREPRENEURS INC

WHO WE ARE:
Emerging Entrepreneurs, Inc. is a North Carolina-based 501(c)(3) non-profit that advances economic and educational equity for underserved communities—particularly veterans, military families, urban youth, and minority entrepreneurs. Through a grassroots approach, we deliver high-impact programs that accelerate entrepreneurial success, workforce readiness, and community leadership. Our partnerships span federal and state agencies, universities, local chambers of commerce, and military installations, creating a dynamic ecosystem of support and resources.

OUR CORE VALUES:
We believe in:
- Education and entrepreneurship as fundamental drivers of social and economic mobility.
- Equipping individuals—especially veterans—with the tools to pursue their passions and professional goals.
- Inspiring innovation and wealth creation to uplift entire communities.
- Fostering transparency, accountability, and data-driven decision-making in all our programs.

PROGRAMS AND IMPACT:
eLaunch™ Online Training Academy: In collaboration with EdX and sponsored by Wells Fargo, we offer 1,500 scholarships for online courses—ranging from professional certificates to Micro-Masters—from top universities. This initiative equips veterans and participants with in-demand technical and entrepreneurial skills.

Service to Success™ Veteran Reintegration: A holistic career transition program delivering mentorship, resume workshops, business planning sessions, and access to funding resources for service members and their spouses.

Urban Leadership Lab™: Interactive STEM and entrepreneurship labs for at-risk youth, featuring LEGO robotics, coding challenges, and real-world problem solving to spark interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

ChampsCon™ Research & Policy Series: Annual convenings and white papers that synthesize best practices in socio-economic development and inform policymakers and funders on strategies to close opportunity gaps.

Community Partnerships: Strategic collaborations with the City of Durham (Participatory Budgeting Grant recipient), federal agencies, nonprofit consortia (#CSforAll), and corporate supporters to scale our programs and amplify our impact.

PRESS AND AWARDS:
- Awarded the White House “Champions of Change” for veterans entrepreneurship (2012).
- Named SBA’s “Veterans Entrepreneurship Advocate of the Year.”
- Renewed commitment to the #CSforAll STEM education initiative alongside Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft.
- Recipient of Durham’s Participatory Budgeting Grant ($100,000) for youth STEM and entrepreneurship programs.
- 7-time Platinum Seal honoree from Candid/GuideStar for organizational transparency.

OUR VISION:
We envision a future where every individual—regardless of background—has equitable access to the resources, mentorship, and networks necessary to launch businesses, advance their careers, and drive social impact. By scaling our proven programs and forging new partnerships, we will continue to dismantle systemic barriers and build emerging economies of innovation, wealth, and opportunity.