(NEWARK, NJ) -- Invest Newark, the City of Newark’s Economic Development Corporation, has partnered with =SPACE to present Newark Small Business Week: a series dedicated to bringing equitable resources to the booming city of Newark, leading small businesses to success and continued growth. The five-day experience will provide events, workshops and networking opportunities for new and experienced local Newark entrepreneurs alike to help build and support local businesses.

The week kicks on Monday, May 2nd with the Small Business Expo - a Business-to-Business Conference & Networking Event for Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs & Start-Ups. A full list of details, scheduled events, and registration information can be found here. 

“Our small businesses are the backbone of our community, and we remain committed to helping them recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “Newark Small Business Week is an opportunity for all Newarkers to show their support for our local entrepreneurs and the people they employ, because they are pivotal to keeping our economy thriving. I thank Invest Newark and Equal Space for making these necessary opportunities and resources available and look forward to kicking off the week at the Expo.”

The goal of Newark Small Business Week is to provide existing and hopeful small business owners access to a variety of resources to further encourage entrepreneurship in Newark. The Small Business Expo, the kickoff event, will provide networking opportunities for small business owners to connect with each other, get guidance directly from City agencies; learn from business support experts; meet lenders and get tips to access capital; and network with fellow passionate entrepreneurs. Mayor Ras J. Baraka will also join Invest Newark, =Space, and community members to launch the week. 

“I am thrilled that during Newark Small Business Week, we are offering a wide range of workshops, panel discussions, and networking events aimed at supporting our local entrepreneurs,” said Allison Ladd, Invest Newark Board Chairperson and Deputy Mayor/Director for Economic and Housing Development. “As our community continues our strong recovery, I encourage neighbors to support the small and local businesses that play such a critical role in communities across Newark. If you haven’t done so already, please register and join us for what promises to be a week full of opportunities and resources designed to help our small businesses thrive.” 

Newark Small Business Week 2022 will also provide workshops to inform best-practices in Newark entrepreneurship, such as an in-person event power-packed with inspiration, proven strategies, actionable steps, tips, resources, and information for maximum business growth. The series will also include the opportunity to pitch a grant to help kick-start a small business, which will be hosted entirely in Spanish for the first time ever. On Thursday, May 4th, Invest Newark will host panel discussions and speaking engagements, including Women-In-Novation 4.0, a mini conference led by powerful female innovators & disruptors across industries — in music, tech, government, business, and finance. Some of the topics of discussion will include:

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  How to increase business sustainability

  
  


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  Building your authentic influence in the digital age

  
  


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  Growing your brand through a non-corporate lens

  
  


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  Accessing brand capital through refining your pitch

  
  

“Newark’s small businesses took a major hit during the pandemic, and many are still in the process of recovering, said Roy Southerland, Interim President and CEO of Invest Newark. “Along with Mayor Ras J. Baraka and the City of Newark, we have supported our entrepreneurs throughout the pandemic and this Small Business Week we are continuing our focus on ensuring they can thrive. With our valuable partner, =Space, we are thrilled to provide this innovative five-day experience to meet the needs of our entrepreneurs and the people they employ which will support Newark’s vibrancy for years to come.” 

“Small Business Week is about providing the space for entrepreneurs to connect to valuable resources and thrive,” said Citi Medina, Founder of =SPACE. “=SPACE has always believed in existing as a nexus between corporate and small business. This event series is bringing that mission into fruition.”

With =SPACE’s focus on providing equitable access to resources for multicultural founders, LGBTQ+ businesses, and women ventures and Invest Newark’s primary focus on advancing Newark’s strong and diverse economy, the organizations are simultaneously building vibrant communities and opportunities for all Newarkers. Small Business Week 2022 is the ultimate experience for entrepreneurs of all types and stages.  

Invest Newark, the City of Newark’s Economic Development Corporation, propels the City’s strong and diverse economy, builds vibrant communities, and creates opportunities for all Newarkers. Invest Newark supports small, women and minority-owned businesses, invests in world-class internet service, spurs real estate development and executes economic development activities to produce and sustain economic growth, generate jobs and create wealth for the citizens of Newark.

For over 6 years, =SPACE has lived and breathed the idea of equity for founders of color. What began as a pop-up flex space is now a 19,000 square foot sharespace with amenities, programming and resources to help startups successfully take their business to the next level. From producing a city-wide Virtual Job Fair with over 3,000 candidates in attendance to partnering with one of our members, CodeIt, to expand their coding program, =SPACE’s primary objective is always to fill in the gaps.