Program Areas

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready

We know how tough it can be to grow your business when your resources and tools are limited. That’s why Verizon Small Business Digital Ready platform offers small business owners free access to tailored online courses, coaching, a networking community, and grant opportunities - all designed to help entrepreneurs level up their businesses and thrive. 

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready (VSBDR) was created by Verizon and LISC to support more than 1 million business owners by 2030 with accessible, free resources to thrive in an increasingly digital economy. Business owners can sign up for customized learning plans covering digital marketing, operational efficiency, financial management, and more. VSBDR also offers live coaching from experts and networking opportunities with diverse, industry-specific businesses in their area, creating a valuable support system for growth and success. Get started with Verizon Small Business Digital Ready today.

390,000
businesses served
203,200+
classes taken
$3 million
in grants to over 300 small business owners

Since the creation of VSBDR, LISC has expanded to provide targeted coordination in fifteen markets across the nation to help more small business owners learn about and access the digital platform through events and our local partners. Contact our team to learn more about increasing access to VSBDR and other small business support services in your area.  

News & Impact

Entrepreneurs See Real Results with Help from LISC & Verizon 

Cissy and Michael White took a major leap forward in scaling their car detailing business, when they won a five-year contract with the City of Charlotte to maintain its mobile fleet. Their journey to government contractor started with an online course on Verizon Small Business Digital Ready,  

Watch Their Story

“You’re Wearing Every Single Hat”: LISC & Verizon Give Entrepreneurs the Tools to Do It All 

Keeping a small family business alive and thriving after all these years means continuing to evolve and grow. And that is precisely what Jonathan Pérez’s is doing with help from Verizon Small Business Digital Ready.  

Watch His Story

Verizon Launches a Slate of Free Tools for Small Businesses, with Help from LISC 

The menu of free digital resources to help entrepreneurs plan, manage and grow their businesses is the latest collaboration between LISC and Verizon to support community-rooted enterprises.   

Learn More

Our team

Jill Badger, JBadger@lisc.org, Senior Program Officer, LISC
Leading efforts on the VSBDR program 

Destiny Mitchell, dmitchell@lisc.org, Senior Program Officer, LISC
Coordinating LISC’s BDO Network  

Sarah Adams, SAdams@lisc.org, Senior Program Officer, LISC
Leading efforts to provide grants and resources directly to small businesses 

Meredith Phillips, Meredith@digitalreadypartners.com, VSBDR NorthEast Regional Lead
Covering NYC, Boston, DC & Philadelphia 

Aaron Searles, Aaron@digitalreadypartners.com, VSBDR West Regional Lead
Covering Phoenix, LA & the Bay area 

Angela Walton, Angela@digitalreadypartners.com, VSBDR South Regional Lead
Covering Atlanta, Miami, Houston & Dallas 

Marc Nunn, Marc@digitalreadypartners.com, VSBDR Central Regional Lead
Covering Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit & Indianapolis 

Questions about the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grants? Check out our FAQ page here.