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  • Entrepreneur Application Form

  • We're excited for you to apply!

     

    Welcome to the IFEL community! Our mission is to support entrepreneurs, small business owners, and founders in overcoming growth challenges by leveraging the expertise and social capital within our network. By addressing capacity-constraint challenges and removing barriers to growth, we aim to help businesses get on a trajectory to thrive, scale, and achieve their goals.

    At IFEL, we take pride in nearly 20 years of service, empowering business owners and the communities they serve.

    The information we will ask for in the next few pages will help us understand who you are and where your business stands today. More importantly, this survey helps us grasp the direction in which you want your business to go. This allows us to personalize and tailor your needs with our experts.

    Now, are you ready? Let’s get started.
    Estimated completion time: < 25 minutes

     

  • Non-Discrimination Policy


    IFEL is committed to providing equal opportunities and resources to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We believe in fostering an inclusive environment where entrepreneurs from all backgrounds can access the support they need to succeed.

  • About You

  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
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  • About Your Business

  • 14. Are you full-time or part-time in your business?*
  • 15. What year did you incorporate your business?*
     - -
  • 16. Please check the box next to the description that best describes your industry.*
  • 18. What is the operational stage of your business?*
  • 19. Does your business have any of the following certifications? Check all that apply.*
  • 22. Income from this business is my primary income source.*
  • 27. Are you currently using a Financial Management System?[ i.e. Quickbooks, Xero, or Wave]*
  • 28. Are you able to produce Income Statements and/or Cash Flow Statements and Reports*
  • 29. Do you have up-to-date Financial Projections?*
  • 30. Do you have a Pitch Presentation?*

  • Figuring Out The Help You Need

    This information will help us understand your businesses and the current infrastructure that you have in place. Given the need to get you help as quickly as possible, we need this information to help us assess which resources are the best fit for you given where you are today. We're not here to judge, we're here to support you in the best way that we can. We want to help you pull through this so that you are stronger and better equipped than ever to thrive going forward.

  • 41. Let's take a look at what infrastructure you have:

  • 41.a. Do you have a business checking account?*
  • 41.b. Have you ever received outside financing?*
  • 41.c. Do you have an accountant?*
  • 41.d. Do you have a bookkeeper?*
  • 41.e. Do you have business credit with suppliers?*
  • 41.f. Do you have or have you ever had a business coach?*
  • 41.g. Do you produce an annual budget?*
  • 41.h. Do you make estimated tax payments?*
  • 41.i. Are you current on your income taxes?*
  • 41.j. Are you current on your payroll taxes?*
  • 41.k. Do you have an internal or external bookkeeper?*
  • 41.l. Do you have business cards?*
  • 41.m. Do you have a customer relationship management (CRM) system?*
  • 41.n. Do you have a thirty-second pitch?*
  • 41.o. Do you utilize social media to market your business?*
  • 41.p. Do you have a documented customer acquisition strategy?*
  • 41.q. Do you have a documented marketing strategy?*
  • 41.r. Do you have a documented operations plan?*
  • 41.s. Have you ever done a business plan for this business?*
  • 41.t. Do you have an up-to-date business plan for this business?*
  • 41.u. Do you have a documented talent acquisition / talent development/ talent management strategy?*
  • 471.v. Do you have an internal or external human resources manager?*
  • 41.w. Do you have an employee handbook?*
  • 41.x. Do you have business liability insurance?*
  • 41.y. Do you have business property insurance?*
  • 41.z. Do you have any intellectual property protections?*
  • 41.a1. Are you licensed to do business in the City where your business is located?*
  • 42. What have been the most limiting factors for your business growth? (Select the top 4)*
  • 43. Select the top 4 areas with which you need the most assistance?*
  • 46. Are you looking for funding?*
  • 46.a. What type of capital are you looking for?*
  • 46.b. Have you filed your business taxes in the last year?*
  • 46.d. Will you need the capital in the next 6-12 months?*
  • 47.g. Do you currently have business debt?*
  • 47.g2. Are you seeking to refinance any existing debt?*
  • 47.h. What will be the source of funding repayment? (Check all that apply)*
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  • 47.m. Are you willing to exchange a percentage of ownership in your company for capital?*
  • 47.n. Is your primary goal for this funding rapid growth that could lead to a future sale of your business (acquisition) or taking it public (IPO)?*
  • 47.o. Are you comfortable providing regular, detailed financial and operational reports to investors?*

  • What Drives You

  • 51. Is there anyone in your circle who owned a business who was an example or role model for you?*
  • 53. Select the top 3 reasons you started/acquired your business:*

  • Tell us about yourself

  • Demographic Information

    This information is deemed confidential. As a nonprofit, we are often asked to profile our client base in aggregate to communicate the general attributes of our audience. No information will be shared with individually identifying information. 

  • 62. Enter your date of birth:*
     - -
  • 63. Gender*
  • 65. Ethnic Identity*
  • 66. Racial Identity:*
  • 67. Are you a U.S. Citizen?(Answer will not affect application)*
  • 68. Is English your primary language?*
  • 69. Educational background*
  • 70. What is your household income from all sources?*
  • 72. Do you identify as any of the following?

  • 73. Terms and Conditions

    I understand that the decision to extend an invitation is solely at the discretion of the staff of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership. If selected for the Level Up Lending program:

    • I will complete all surveys and evaluations as requested during the program period and for 1 year after completion.
    • I give permission for the use of my likeness for promotional materials (website, social media, promotional flyers, etc.).
    • I will attend the required scheduled events.

    Submission of this application does not guarantee nor imply a commitment of resources or support by the Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership staff, board members, or volunteers. An invitation to participate in the Success Circles program is not a commitment to provide financial resources of any kind.

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