Ascend Management Education Program
Ascend provides access to capital, market opportunities and business education to high-potential entrepreneurs of color. A partnership between Meda and the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship, Ascend supports high-potential business owned by entrepreneurs of color that are preparing to scale for long-term success.
Through the financial support of JPMorgan Chase, Ascend offers both a local and national program depending on the current size and capabilities of the company.
Ascend National Cohort
The National Cohort began in September 2023 with 9 companies participating in a 3-day intensive session at the Carlson School of Management. Online sessions met every other Friday from October through March, featuring faculty from the 5 participating universities and professional services firms helping the companies to develop their capabilities and expansion plans. The program concluded in April with another 3-day intensive program on April 4-6. Each company was supported by 2 MBA Fellows and experienced business coach.
The Ascend National program supports companies with annual revenue of $3 - $9 million.
What You'll Learn
Funded by JPMorgan Chase, the Holmes Center and Meda deliver educational courses structured around the 3M-Model, a research-driven approach that can help your business overcome access gaps:
- Management: The Holmes Center introduces business owners to a broad range of management topics and applies these concepts to develop growth strategies. In addition to direct access to Carlson School faculty, teams will have support from both Carlson School MBA Fellows and experienced business coaches to apply their educational sessions to their company's current challenges.
- Markets: Meda helps you understand corporate customer requirements, potential fit, help you build relationships, and secure contracts.
- Money: Meda helps you develop capabilities statements, identify funding requirements and potential sources.
MBA Ascend Fellow
Are you a current MBA student at the Carlson School? Apply to be a MBA Ascend Fellow!
You'll work as business consultants to small businesses owned by people of color. You'll receive a stipend and have the opportunity to connect with other Fellows at top-ranked business schools that support the Ascend National Cohort Program.
APPLY TO BE A MBA ASCEND FELLOW
Business Coach
Are you an experienced business owner or executive who is interested in volunteering to support the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders? Reach out to jstavig@umn.edu to learn more about becoming an Ascend Business Coach!
You'll work as business consultants to small businesses owned by people of color. You'll have the opportunity to connect with other executives and Fellows at top-ranked business schools that support the Ascend National Cohort Program.
Ascend Twin Cities Cohort
Ascend Twin Cities is a local management education program for Twin Cities-based entrepreneurs of color and business owners seeking to gain more support and knowledge to grow their company. You'll also gain access to elusive opportunities and connections to help your business succeed in the long-term. Ascend Twin Cities has supported 55 MN-based companies since joining the national network of 15 cities since 2020.
Program Details
An annual cohort of 10-15 companies will attend bi-weekly educational sessions between July and November 2024.
The program starts in July and meets for 2 hours every other Wednesday at the Carlson School.
Targeting high potential entrepreneurs and companies with $0.5 - $3 million of annual revenue.
What You'll Learn
Funded by JPMorgan Chase, the Holmes Center and Meda deliver educational courses structured around the 3M-Model, a research-driven approach that can help your business overcome access gaps:
- Management: The Holmes Center will introduce business owners to a broad range of management topics and help apply concepts to develop growth strategies.
- Markets: Meda helps you understand corporate customer requirements, potential fit, help you build relationships, and secure contracts.
- Money: Meda helps you develop capabilities statements, identify funding requirements and potential sources.
Ascend Twin Cities Partners
The Holmes Center
The Holmes Center is the hub of entrepreneurship and innovation at the University of Minnesota that inspires, educates, and connects the next generation of Minnesota's entrepreneurs.
Meda
Meda provides business consulting, access to capital, and connections with market opportunities for minority entrepreneurs.
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
JPMorgan Chase is a global leader in financial services, offering solutions to the world's most important corporations, governments, and institutions in more than 100 countries.