Catapult Greater Pittsburgh pilots alumni entrepreneurship program

LACHELLE BELL The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that Catapult Greater Pittsburgh, in partnership with Empower by GoDaddy and PNC Bank’s Center for Financial Education (CFE), piloted an alumni entrepreneurship program called Leap Ahead from June to November 2024. The program was for entrepreneurs who graduated from Catapult’s entrepreneurship programs and were seeking additional support to take their businesses to the next level. The six-month technical assistance program offered entrepreneurs who have been in business for three to five years training, tools, and networking opportunities to help them grow and improve their digital footprints. Twenty-five Catapult alumni participated in the pilot. Empower by GoDaddy and PNC Bank provided customized curricula for the program. Empower By GoDaddy—GoDaddy’s global social impact program launched in 2017—provided access to virtual content focused on building a stronger digital presence, while PNC Bank’s CFE offered monthly in-person sessions centered around business lending and growth, with topics ranging from developing a business plan to how to use business credit. Paired together, these workshops equipped participants with intermediate-level business training to help catapult their businesses into the next stage of growth. “Being able to meet the needs of entrepreneurs, especially our Catapult entrepreneur alumni, is always significant,” said...