CauseEDU helps students and their families better understand the true cost of college and how to pay for it. Originally launched as a college crowdfunding platform, founder Shironda White needed to adjust her model once her primary competitor made their similar platform free and her users evaporated.
As Shironda evaluated their next move, she came across the free EforAll Business Accelerator program launching in Roxbury. She says “EforAll was there at the perfect time for us to expand and to launch our financial literacy component.”
After completing the Accelerator, Shironda says “Mentorship is the most important thing I gained. Our mentors were the best mentors we could have possibly asked for and they’ve been the strongest advocates for us.”
Today, CauseEDU has three new clients/partners. “One of our SMART goals during the Business Accelerator was to have one big contract and our stretch goal was to have three. Having that stretch goal helped us focus and hone in on what we were planning on doing.” Shironda was also awarded $2,500 that she has allocated for marketing.
When asked what makes EforAll special, Shironda said “The fact that it’s focused on people within their own communities. EforAll takes local entrepreneurs and provides them with a long-lasting network of resources, mentors, cohorts, alumni, and support that takes them further than they could have gone on their own.”