Verizon’s Small Business Digital Ready Program (VSBDR), a free resource for small businesses to access over 50 courses, expert-led workshops, in-person and virtual networking and incentives, such as grants, celebrates its third year in Houston.
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready provides personalized tools and resources in partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and Next Street. Popular courses include building a brand, building a communications strategy, financing your business and cybersecurity.
Business owners have the option to work with anyone of LISC Houston’s small business development organizations (BDO) to access the platform and receive additional technical assistance. LISC Houston is part of 15 LISC markets across the country with designated local BDO’s to offer small business personalized technical assistance and support with VSBDR. Houston is also the only market to pilot two new integrations: one with a focus on child care providers business owners, and the other through Financial Opportunity Centers™.
We extend our gratitude to our 2024 BDO partners for their collaboration and support in spurring innovation and access to critical business support services.
2024 Verizon’s Small Business Digital Ready Program Business Development Organizations:
Wesley Community Center
Collaborative for Children (for child care small business owners ONLY)
Houston Area Urban League
Baker Ripley
LiftFund
People Fund
Active users of Small Business Digital Ready, defined as those who have completed at least two resources on the platform this year, are also eligible to apply for the program’s national $10K grants, which are awarded to select applicants. The latest national grant cycle is now open until June 28, 2024 at 11:59pm PT. Click here for instructions. To register and complete your resources, click here.
The platform also has a dedicated Spanish-language site, with courses exclusively in Spanish. Verizon Business learned from its 2024 Latino Small Business Survey that 82% of Latino small business owners surveyed are currently looking for external support to adapt to changing customer needs. They also continue seeking support in other areas, such as finance, cybersecurity, and marketing, to name a few.
Please help us spread the word to your local small business about this grant opportunity and connect them with one of our BDOs.
For more information, contact Rushka Tcholakova, rtcholakova@lisc.org