LOWELL – Amid the coronavirus pandemic, entrepreneurship continues.
The local chapter of Entrepreneurship for All, or EforAll, has seen an uptick in early interest in the year- long Business Accelerator Program. Meanwhile, graduates of their program say they’re adapting their businesses to the new realities.
“ We noticed that we have slightly more interest in terms of people starting applications,” Executive Director Lianna Kushi said in early April.
The organization, which helps under- resourced individuals start their own businesses, typically sees 40 to 50 applications with about half coming in the final week. In early April, two weeks out from the deadline, 39 people had submitted or started applications with the majority indicating they were still planning to enroll in the program, according to Kushi.
“ We think that people are excited to launch a business,” she said.
These figures come during a time of record unemployment claims and instability for many families and businesses.
Of the people who have started businesses while participating in the EforAll program 56% were previously unemployed. Over half the businesses launched through the program are owned by immigrants and people of color. Three-quarters of the businesses are owned by women, according to EforAll.