CONNECT ALL @ the Jacobs Center Welcomes 10 Businesses and Applications Open for Spring 2022

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Local Startups in Food, Wellness, Education Get Boost in Free Business Accelerator Program

SAN DIEGO (Nov. 30, 2021) – CONNECT ALL @ the Jacobs Center (CAJC), San Diego’s only business accelerator program exclusively for low-to-moderate income entrepreneurs, has announced that 10 new businesses have joined its fifth cohort. Applications are also open for the next cohort beginning in spring 2022.

The free, four-month structured program is geared specifically for San Diego-based, early-stage startups that are ready for sustainable growth. A strategic partnership between the City of San Diego, Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation and CONNECT w/ San Diego Venture Group, CAJC launched in May 2019 and has since jumpstarted 52 local businesses. Over 35% of companies have increased their revenue and more than 10 new jobs have been created by businesses that have completed the accelerator program.

“The City of San Diego is proud of the work that CONNECT ALL @ the Jacobs Center is doing,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “Programs like these are important in providing equitable opportunities to support the growth of all small business owners, especially during and post-pandemic.”­­

Businesses in the accelerator program are: A Caramel Affaire, Bomba Brown Wellness, Braid Street, elevatEd Classrooms, Interactive Play, Interiors 432, Mya’s Catering Company, Shift Micromobility Compliance, SouthEast Fusion 619, Village Kids Early Childhood Community.To learn more about each business and the founders, visit connectallsd.org/cohort-fall-2021.

Entrepreneurs who participate in the program experience a range of benefits, including:

“Every cycle we have a great group of entrepreneurs that are a testament to grit, determination and innovation,” said Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation Director of Economic Development Alex Waters. “This is another great group of founders that are building businesses not just for themselves, but with an eye toward how their success will better the community. I don’t think it’s an accident that people are looking to build businesses that create wealth beyond themselves and leave a lasting impact.”

Entrepreneurs must be low-to-moderate income and located within the City of San Diego, along with their businesses, to qualify for the program. In San Diego for 2021, low to moderate income is a single adult, making $67,900 or less in a year or a family of four, with a total household income of $97,000 or less. No equity stake is required. The business accelerator is accepting applications on a rolling basis. Interested applicants can apply for the next cohort now at  bit.ly/CAJC_cohort6application.

To learn more about how CONNECT ALL @ the Jacobs Center supports economic development and job opportunities in Southeastern San Diego and beyond, visit connectallsd.org. For sponsorship and program support opportunities, please contact Selina Hudgins Castillo at schudgins@jacobscenter.org.

This program is funded in whole or in part with Community Development Block Grant program funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the City of San Diego, and private funding from partners, such as MUFG Union Bank N.A. and bkm OfficeWorks.

About CONNECT ALL @ the Jacobs Center

CONNECT ALL @ the Jacobs Center (CAJC) is the region’s first low to moderate income and diversity-focused business accelerator program, guiding startups that want to grow rapidly with all the support they need to be successful. A partnership between the City of San Diego, the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation and CONNECT w/ San Diego Venture Group, the program provides participants with mentors, weekly workshops and guidance on how to scale their businesses. CAJC also offers a free Business Resource Center where entrepreneurs can connect and learn about local services and support programs to help move their ideas and businesses forward.

This program is funded in whole or in part with Community Development Block Grant program funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the City of San Diego, and private funding from partners, such as MUFG Union Bank N.A. and bkm OfficeWorks.

To learn more or get involved, visit connectallsd.org. Follow CONNECT ALL @ the Jacobs Center on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.