You’re BRITE.
We’re committed to developing you—and your bold ideas.
The BRITE Program
The Business Revitalization Initiative Through Entrepreneurship program—or BRITE—accelerates the journey from innovation through commercialization. From mentoring to marketing, product development to pitching, BRITE provides early stage startups and seasoned businesses in Howard County with direct pathways to entrepreneurial success.
If you’re an idea-stage or growth-stage company, BRITE provides you with the support to scale when the time is right. From talent acquisition to partnerships, strategic planning to brand management, BRITE points you to the most appropriate path forward.
Diverse perspectives drive solutions to the marketplace, so inclusivity and innovation go hand in hand. Women-owned, veteran-owned, service disabled veteran-owned, minority-owned, LGBT-owned, small disadvantaged, and historically underutilized businesses shape our community narrative. BRITE provides the space to thrive.
Our entrepreneurship support stewards your trajectory to the marketplace. Equipping you with the tools, the connections, and the language of entrepreneurship, BRITE is a place where lateral thinking is standard and alternative approaches are applauded. Together, we take your passions and create powerful products and services.
Be the first to know about upcoming program details!
Fill out this form indicating which programs are of interest to you, and we’ll send you an email when more information is available.
Programs Available
Be the first to know about upcoming program details!
Fill out this form indicating which programs are of interest to you, and we’ll send you an email when more information is available.
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Offerings include:
Description
If you’re starting a business, this 10-session program provides you with a framework for success. The curriculum follows the Kauffman FastTrac® program and includes:
- Explore Your Innovative Business Idea
- Identify & Meet Market Needs
- Set Financial Goals
- Plan Your Products/Services
- Research & Analyze the Market
- Discover Your Competitive Advantage
- Build Your Own Organization & Team
- Plan for a Profitable Business
- Understand Cash Flow & Acquiring Funds
- Implement Your Business Plan
Description
You have an inspired idea, but will it resonate within the marketplace? With affordability and analytics guiding our approach, Design Thinking will take your idea from concept to opportunity. From aesthetics to adaptability, consumer demand to competition, many factors determine your position in the marketplace. This four-part program will help you refine your product or service, determine its viability, test it with target consumers, and tap into the small business resources for success.
There is a fee to participate. A generous tuition subsidy is available to encourage Howard County residents and businesses to participate.
Description
This six-session program informs and improves your sales goal-setting strategy. Topics include:
- Setting Sales Targets
- Value Statements
- Setting Appointments
- Objection Handling
- Qualifying and Forecasting
- Negotiating and Closing
There is a fee to participate. A generous tuition subsidy is available to encourage Howard County residents and businesses to participate.
Driving Revenue for Businesses: Leveraging Technology to Capture Clients
Tuesdays, May 30 – June 27 | 1:30 – 3 PM
Description
If you’re a founder, owner, or CEO, do you tap into technology capabilities to boost your sales? If not, you let countless opportunities slip through the cracks. Packed with information, spirited conversation, and Q&A, each 90-minute session will help you optimize your process and maximize your profitability. Complementing Exceeding Sales Goals’ focus on soft sales skills, this program introduces the technical tools to manage accounts, relationships, and your customer pipeline. Move the needle on your sales goals with clear metrics in five weeks’ time.
There is a fee to participate. A generous tuition subsidy is available to encourage Howard County residents and businesses to participate.
Description
Ecommerce marketing helps your business grow, but the options can feel overwhelming. How do you filter through the noise and focus on the platforms that matter? Practical by design, this four-week course will help you expand your reach on digital platforms, teaching you how to convert visitors into paying customers. Whether you’re a current business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or full stack marketing professional, this course is for you.Â
Blending fresh ideas with tried and true techniques, this offering supports businesses in any industry and at any stage of growth. We’ll help you drive awareness and results systematically and flexibly, adjusting tactics to market conditions.
There is a fee to participate. A generous tuition subsidy is available to encourage Howard County residents and businesses to participate.
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Description
Cheer on Howard County startups as they pitch their offerings with energy and impact. This competition-style format celebrates the art of the pitch, demanding style, substance, and storytelling in four minutes or less. Up to $10,000 in prizes will be awarded. Applaud the verbal finesse and vision of our aspiring entrepreneurs at the Pitch and Mingle!
Description
The network that you build drives your business to the top. This five-week program, offered in partnership with Social Capital Builders, Inc. (SCB), helps you leverage social capital to grow your connections, reach, and profit margins. Experts in marketing, sales, contract procurement, law, accounting, business development, hiring, and financing will provide the resources to support your growth.
There is a fee to participate. A generous tuition subsidy is available to encourage Howard County residents and businesses to participate.
Refresh Your Brand Design Workshop
New dates to be announced.
Description
If you struggle to tell customers why you do what you do, telling your story well has brand-boosting benefits. Whether you’re building your business from scratch or hoping to expand your market share, this four-session course will equip you with the brand assets, evaluation methods, and tools to grow your business in the digital age. Business owners, digital marketers, and other professionals in creative fields will benefit from this hand-on course curriculum.
There is a fee to participate. A generous tuition subsidy is available to encourage Howard County residents and businesses to participate.
Description
If you struggle to tell customers why you do what you do, telling your story well has brand-boosting benefits. Whether you’re building your business from scratch or hoping to expand your market share, this four-session course will equip you with the brand assets, evaluation methods, and tools to grow your business in the digital age. Business owners, digital marketers, and other professionals in creative fields will benefit from this hand-on course curriculum.
The program welcomes up to 20 participants. There is a fee to participate. A generous tuition subsidy is available to encourage Howard County residents and businesses to participate; $25 for Howard County residents, $100 for Maryland residents, and $20 for MIC Circle Members.
Mentoring and Coaching
Virtual Program Dates:
- January 25 – March 1, 2022 from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm EST
Description
Your concept is unique and your business challenges are, too. We offer individualized support to help entrepreneurs address specific topics. Mentoring areas include but are not limited to: legal, sales, marketing, cyber, and IT. Contact us for details.
HoCo Higher: Accelerator Business Program with M&T Bank
New dates coming soon.
Description
The path to entrepreneurship is challenging on its own, but historically underrepresented entrepreneurs encounter added barriers to success. Sponsored by M&T Bank, this free, 10-session program equips early-stage entrepreneurs with the essentials for achievement. From business planning to financial management and operations, credit building to digital communication, this virtual program helps you lead with intention. Top business mentors and subject matter experts will serve as your guides, and your confidence will follow. Interested? To qualify, applicants must have at least two years of successful business operations and have gross revenues of $150,000 or more. In addition, applicants must be Howard County-based businesses in good standing. If this describes you, register!
