‘Rise Up, Get Started’ shifts to matching grant program for formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs

By Tommy Felts | February 20, 2021

Rather than continue as an entrepreneurship competition for formerly incarcerated people, “Rise Up, Get Started” is pivoting to a matching grant program that supports more individuals seeking a new path through small business, said Kyle J. Benson-Smith.  “I was inspired by hearing the stories of second chance entrepreneurs from folks who were starting successful businesses…

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Rise Up, Get Started winners: Building a second chance as job market sputters

By Tommy Felts | June 25, 2020

A slowly recovering job market is pushing more people — many of whom previously didn’t imagine ever running their own businesses — into entrepreneurship, said Kyle J. Smith. “The Kauffman Foundation would say they’re starting a business out of necessity rather than choice,” Smith elaborated, describing the importance of programs that provide a second chance…

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