New Haven, CT – Quinnipiac University's Community Entrepreneurship Academy and Clinic is set to continue its operations this fall, thanks to a generous $125,000 grant from M&T Bank. This funding secures a partnership between the academy and the Connecticut Community Outreach Revitalization Program (ConnCORP) in New Haven.
The entrepreneurial incubator at ConnCORP was initially launched with support from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). After the expiration of the SBA grant in August 2024, ConnCORP collaborated with the SBA to secure additional funding for this year's participants. The new grant from M&T Bank ensures the program's sustainability for the next two years, supporting 20 entrepreneurs enrolled this fall.
Tuvana Rua, an associate professor of management at Quinnipiac University and director of the ConnCORP Community Entrepreneurship Academy and Clinic, emphasized the importance of the grant. "The grant is really important, because we would not have continued without it. We feel very privileged to be recognized by M&T Bank," Rua stated.
Since its inception in 2022, the partnership between ConnCORP and Quinnipiac has aided 55 entrepreneurs, focusing on minority-owned and women-owned small businesses. Rua expressed gratitude for the collaboration, describing it as a “once-in-a-lifetime partnership.”
In addition to financial support, M&T Bank contributes to the program's curriculum by providing insights on funding resources to small business owners. Quinnipiac University students also play a vital role by offering various resources to entrepreneurs. Cybersecurity students conduct audits to identify potential online vulnerabilities, while MBA project management students assist with project management charters. Furthermore, public relations students help audit social media presence, and TV and film students produce commercial videos for the businesses.
This comprehensive support network ensures that participating entrepreneurs receive the necessary guidance and resources to thrive in their endeavors.
