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About the Entrepreneur Fellowship

YOBIZMO (Your Business, Your Money) offers training and support for new and existing entrepreneurs through a 12 week mentorship to those who are:

  1. Emerging Asian business & artist entrepreneurs who are looking to start a business within the 12 months

  2. Established and existing Asian business & artist entrepreneurs who are interested in developing, expanding, and improving their business.
     

There will be two separate fellowship cohorts offered:

  1. Business Entrepreneurship Learn & Earn Fellowship Cohort

  2. Artist Entrepreneurship Learn & Earn Fellowship Cohort

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About the Workshops

The cohort and workshops will be mentored and lead by diverse well established business consultants. Weekly workshops will include hands on learning and include aspects of building a business plan, branding, financial management, marketing & sales strategies, legal considerations, and more. The fellows will be encouraged to start and/or further expand their business, which will last beyond the time frame of the fellowship. By the end of the fellowship, each fellow should have a solid business plan developed, as well as various tools and resources to utilize and apply to their business. All workshops will take place at XIA Gallery & Cafe (422 University Ave W. Suite 14, St Paul MN 55103).
 

Stipend
Each fellow will receive a stipend of $1,000 upon completion of the fellowship. 

Eligibility 

  • Looking to start a business within the next 12 months OR already owns an established and/or existing business​​

  • Must be a resident of Minnesota ​​

    • We encourage all to apply, but will prioritize applicants from Ramsey County.​

  • Must be at least 18+ (Must be 18 years of age by the start of the program). 

    • We encourage all to apply, but will prioritize applicants 18 - 30 years of age. 

  • Must be able to attend all evening workshops

Important Dates

Both the Business & Artist Fellowship Cohorts will have two semesters:

  • 1st Business Fellowship Cohort: Feb 28th - May 15th, 2024 (every Tuesday)

  • 1st Artist Fellowship Cohort: Feb 28th - May 15th, 2024 (every Wednesday)

  • 2nd Business Fellowship Cohort: May 22nd - Aug 14th, 2024 (every Tuesday)

  • 2nd Artist Fellowship Cohort: May 22nd - Aug 14th, 2024 (every Wednesday)

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Applicants may only apply for either the Business or Artist fellowship. However, all applicants are welcome to apply for the 1st and the 2nd fellowship semesters. Applicants will only be allowed to attend one cohort. 

Application Opening & Deadlines:

  • 1st Fellowship Cohorts application opens: Monday, January 8th, 2024

  • 1st Fellowship Cohorts application closes: Sunday, February 11th, 2024

  • 1st Fellowship applicant updates: Wednesday, February 14th, 2024

  • 2nd Fellowship Cohort application opens: Monday, February 19th, 2024 

  • 2nd Fellowship Cohorts application closes: Sunday, April 28th, 2024

  • 2nd Fellowship Cohorts applicant updates: Monday, May 6th, 2024

How to Apply

The application will be asking for your basic information about you and your business. We want to know more about you as an entrepreneur and about your business goals. Whether you have zero and/or many years of experience will not affect how your application is selected. 

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Application Questions

  • Tell us about yourself

  • Tell us about your business and/or idea (what's the mission & vision of your business)?

  • Why do you want to start, expand, and/or further your business?

  • What does success look like to you and/or your business?

  • Why is this fellowship important to you and your business? Why should you be a part of this cohort?

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Submission Process

Application questions can be a written response or video response. Written responses must be 500 words max per question (no minimum) and must be uploaded as a pdf or word document on the application form. There are no format requirements. Video responses must be 5 minutes max (no minimum) and must be uploaded as a link on the application form or emailed to info@yobizmo.com. Video links can be from Youtube, Google Drive, and/or other platforms. 

Application Selection Process

All applicants will be awarded based on eligibility and their application. All eligible applicants will be selected by the staff of Asian Economic Development Association (AEDA). 

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