The Urban Business Development Center (The U)

The U (Urban Business Development Center) was established in 2019 with the goal to become the front door for entrepreneurs of color aspiring to create and build sustainable small businesses. Since then, we have expanded our reach to provide culturally competent curriculum, education and impactful experiences throughout the Columbus region.

Our mission is to close the educational, resource and digital divide for urban and lifestyle entrepreneurs while eliminating the fragmentation of access to all the above.

This is done through programming like our Urban Launch School which is a 12-week accelerator where we take in a cohort of entrepreneurs and assist them with taking their business from ideation to launch. Within the 12 weeks entrepreneurs learn important business fundamentals like building business models, pricing strategies, marketing plan, intellectual property, finances, and more. The accelerator ends with a pitch competition where each business will be given an opportunity to win a micro grant.