weVENTURE Receives $25,000 Award from SunTrust Foundation

Funds Will Allow Expansion of
Business Mentoring Program 

MELBOURNE, FLA. — weVENTURE, the Central Florida-based organization launched at Florida Institute of Technology and focused on accelerating sustainable business growth for entrepreneurs, received a $25,000 “Lighting the Way” Award from the SunTrust Foundation in November to help further propel its IGNITE 360® business mentoring program.

IGNITE 360 matches local entrepreneurs with a unique advisory board of business mentors that assists them in managing the change required for the successful growth of their business. Mentors may also help to solve current challenges the business may be facing.

The mentoring program, which has served more than 60 local businesses since its inception, was awarded for its track record of success. Graduating companies have seen an average of 40 percent revenue growth following their participation in the program, and 93 percent of participants have created new jobs for the community.

So far in 2017, 24 small-business owners have been served through IGNITE 360. Another 16 are expected to be served by the end of the year.

“weVENTURE at Florida Tech’s Nathan Bisk College of Business is proud and excited to receive this prestigious award,” said weVENTURE Executive Director Erica Lemp. “It’s always exciting when the work we do gets recognized, but this one is particularly powerful as financial support is instrumental in our being able to continue programs like the IGNITE 360 Business Mentoring program that benefit our local small-business community and our local economy.”

Lighting the Way Awards were developed by the SunTrust Foundation “to further local nonprofits that help individuals build financial confidence,” according to the company. weVENTURE was one of 13 Florida-based nonprofits to receive an award this year, and the only one in Brevard County.

To learn more about weVENTURE and the IGNITE 360® business mentoring program, visit www.weventure.org.

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