Introducing The Ramp - Presented by Kroger
On October 12, the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce and City of Toledo announced the launch of The Ramp, presented by Kroger, a resource portal for small business owners and entrepreneurs in Toledo. The Ramp is a technology-enabled solution that integrates all the tools, knowledge and support entrepreneurs need to start, launch and grow a business into one platform, powered by Economic Impact Catalyst (EIC).
The Toledo Chamber’s implementation of The Ramp, presented by Kroger, will create a community for diverse business owners to easily connect with needed resources from local technical advisors offering no-cost services. Priority areas include access to capital, contracting, consulting, and community.
The Toledo Chamber’s implementation of The Ramp, presented by Kroger, will create a community for diverse business owners to easily connect with needed resources from local technical advisors offering no-cost services. Priority areas include access to capital, contracting, consulting, and community.
“Helping current and aspiring entrepreneurs access resources, build their networks, be inspired, and find solutions to ‘ramp’ up their businesses are all key components of the work we do here every day at the Chamber and through our Small Business Development Center,” said Wendy Gramza, President and CEO of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. “The Ramp, presented by Kroger, helps us take that work to the next level, joining with other organizations in our region committed to supporting the dream of owning a business.”
Phase one of the rollout includes a filtered advisor search, searchable event calendar, searchable Learning Center, success stories, and a link to the Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Directory. Phase two initiatives will expand the capabilities to include searchable capital and contracting opportunities as well as standing up a virtual community.
“The City of Toledo is excited to help bring The Ramp, presented by Kroger, to Toledo’s entrepreneurs to help them build wealth, autonomy and improve outcomes for the community,” said Sandy Spang, Deputy Director of Economic Development for the City of Toledo. “By providing small business owners with everything they need in one place, we hope to increase long-term entrepreneurial success.”
This project was born out of the City of Toledo’s Forward Cities initiative, which identified the need to create a barrier-free, democratized way for diverse business owners to connect with or coordinate resources, programs and education, support and assistance for entrepreneurship. The working group identified a national best practice platform called Startup Space, a technology-enabled solution, powered by Economic Impact Catalyst (EIC) and the Chamber agreed to lead the deployment on behalf of the community.
“EIC focuses on data-driven insights and solutions drawn from the voices of small businesses and we are honored to welcome the Toledo region to our national network,” said David Ponraj, founder and CEO of Economic Impact Catalyst (EIC). “The Toledo Chamber and City of Toledo share our belief that entrepreneurship holds the power to solve some of the most critical problems faced by communities and we look forward to supporting their growth.”
The Ramp is generously supported by presenting sponsor Kroger as well as funding from the Toledo Area Chamber Foundation and the City of Toledo.
To access The Ramp, presented by Kroger, visit https://tolramp.biz/.
Phase one of the rollout includes a filtered advisor search, searchable event calendar, searchable Learning Center, success stories, and a link to the Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Directory. Phase two initiatives will expand the capabilities to include searchable capital and contracting opportunities as well as standing up a virtual community.
“The City of Toledo is excited to help bring The Ramp, presented by Kroger, to Toledo’s entrepreneurs to help them build wealth, autonomy and improve outcomes for the community,” said Sandy Spang, Deputy Director of Economic Development for the City of Toledo. “By providing small business owners with everything they need in one place, we hope to increase long-term entrepreneurial success.”
This project was born out of the City of Toledo’s Forward Cities initiative, which identified the need to create a barrier-free, democratized way for diverse business owners to connect with or coordinate resources, programs and education, support and assistance for entrepreneurship. The working group identified a national best practice platform called Startup Space, a technology-enabled solution, powered by Economic Impact Catalyst (EIC) and the Chamber agreed to lead the deployment on behalf of the community.
“EIC focuses on data-driven insights and solutions drawn from the voices of small businesses and we are honored to welcome the Toledo region to our national network,” said David Ponraj, founder and CEO of Economic Impact Catalyst (EIC). “The Toledo Chamber and City of Toledo share our belief that entrepreneurship holds the power to solve some of the most critical problems faced by communities and we look forward to supporting their growth.”
The Ramp is generously supported by presenting sponsor Kroger as well as funding from the Toledo Area Chamber Foundation and the City of Toledo.
To access The Ramp, presented by Kroger, visit https://tolramp.biz/.
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