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A program-hopping problem? Or priority?

During Technical.ly’s conversation with Baltimore stakeholders and RealLIST Startups 2023 founders in February, Adeola Ajani, founding executive director of Fem Equity, pointed out something peculiar and poignant.
 
"There are lots of entrepreneurship support programs kind of reiterating the same thing," she said. "And I feel like if we can all get on one page, what is the intention of everything, so that entrepreneurs don't have to keep program hopping for money — because a lot of times we go to these programs because they have $5,000 to $10,000. But there should be other ways to get this money other than doing this program that wastes six months of our time."
 
It seems that entrepreneurs often get stuck in a cycle of program-hopping because they're desperate for funding and the support they need to succeed. With that reflection, it might be important for Baltimore’s entrepreneurship and founder support ecosystem to take a step back and evaluate the programs that are being offered. Shouldn’t the programs all be unique and provide real value to entrepreneurs? Or is focusing on similar goals in each program productive? Maybe unique offerings could help prevent program-hopping and ensure that entrepreneurs receive the support they need to aim high and succeed.
 
We also spoke with B-360 founder and leader Brittany Young at the CIAA Tech Summit House in February, and she similarly grappled with the idea of program-hopping.
 
"It's important to know the difference between incubators, pitch competitions and fellowships, she said, adding: "I was one of the inaugural Elevation Awards awardees. I think folks saw my program hopping but mine was very strategic. I gained my business acumen from places like Social Innovation Lab because it's an accelerator program that allowed me to grow. In Baltimore Corps, they were the first to give us funds. ... I went on to pitch at Light City and won Social Innovator of the Year, and then I joined Echoing Green which allowed me to retire from being an engineer. ... It's because of them I was able to leave all of my jobs," she chuckled. 
 
She suggests that instead of this hopping, just work to know what you need — whether it's money, community or skills.
 
"Know where you are in the life cycle of your business and make sure it matches your goals," she said. "There are times where the amount of time versus how much money is earned in the period won't connect."
 
— Technical.ly reporter Alanah Nichole Davis (alanah@technical.ly)

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