Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover and Grant Program (US)

This initiative offers entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to connect with essential support resources and undergo comprehensive workshops aimed at crafting new business and marketing plans. Upon completion of the program, participants become eligible to apply for $10k grants, empowering them to expand their business capacity and enhance resilience.

With a focus on igniting growth and fostering excellence, the City’s Economic Development Department will select a group of 25 small businesses for this exclusive opportunity. Through a series of no-cost training sessions, participants will delve into strategic business planning, marketing, branding, social media optimization, access to capital, government procurement opportunities, permitting and licensing insights, merchandising techniques, networking strategies, biz-to-biz mentorship, talent recruitment, and personalized business counselling.

Criteria

• Must be located and operating within the boundaries of Long Beach, California with a storefront location accessible to the public.
• Must have been in business for a minimum of 3 years as of 4/23/2024.
• Must be an independently-owned, for-profit business including sole proprietorships, LLC’s or Corporations that are not publicly traded (franchises and large chains with 10 or more locations are not eligible). 501(c)3 nonprofits may also apply.
• Must have a City of Long Beach business license. The business must hold an active or delinquent license. Businesses that have closed or cancelled their licenses are not eligible for the program.
• Must be currently open and active for business.
• Must earn no more than $5 million in annual gross revenue.
• Corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships must have an “ACTIVE” status with the California Secretary of State.

Ineligible

• Businesses without a physical location in Long Beach, CA
• Businesses that are permanently closed
• Government entities or elected official offices
• Businesses primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities
• Passive businesses, investment companies, and investors who file a Schedule E on their personal tax returns
• Churches and other religious organizations
• Financial businesses primarily engaged in the business of lending, such as banks and finance companies
• Landlords and property managers (unless repairing on behalf of a small business)
• Businesses engaged in any activity that is illegal under federal, state, or local law
• Businesses engaged in any socially undesirable activity or activity that may be considered predatory in nature such as check cashing businesses
• Businesses that have active and unresolved code enforcement and COVID-19 Health Order violations
• Cannabis-related businesses.

For more information, visit City of Long Beach.