Small Business Entreprenuers

The Knowledge for Impact Award

Investing in the growth of underrepresented and underserved entrepreneurs

Social, educational, and economic inequity can hinder entrepreneurs from achieving their full potential. At Wharton Executive Education, we believe that academic institutions have a collective responsibility to help mitigate this inequity by providing access to continuing education, mentorship, and capital to underserved communities.

To do so, we have established the Knowledge for Impact Award to aid small business owners operating in low-income areas. This award is an investment in talented entrepreneurs around the country, as well as a commitment to diversity and inclusion in Wharton’s programming and classrooms.

INFORMATION

Application Deadline
Our award cycle is currently closed.

For more information, please contact Client Relations at execed-impact@wharton.upenn.edu

What the Award Offers

The Knowledge for Impact Award enables six entrepreneurs per academic year to attend an upcoming Wharton Executive Education live online program at no cost. Their business must be located (or primarily conduct business) in a designated Opportunity Zone. The available programs, listed below, enable participants to acquire invaluable business and interpersonal skills as well as practical tools in finance and accounting, negotiations, business strategy, governance, and marketing.*

*Wharton Executive Education programs are short-duration and do not confer academic credit nor count toward a degree from Wharton or the University of Pennsylvania.

Who Should Apply

Entrepreneurs and small business owners operating a business in a designated Opportunity Zone in the United States and U.S. territories who are striving to further their enterprise, and who are committed to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

A small business should meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Located in an Opportunity Zone
  • Generates 50% or more of its gross income in an Opportunity Zone
  • 50% or more of the services provided or products manufactured are done in an Opportunity Zone

Successful award recipients will have an existing business that has been in operation for at least seven years and generates at least $500,000 in revenue.

The award is open to U.S. citizens or permanent green card holders only. Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent green card holders are ineligible.