A photo illustration of the Start:ME Program. Photo provided by Doug Wood.

People looking to strike out on their own by starting a business have an opportunity to join a program that will help guide them along the way.

“The Start:Micro-Entrepreneur Accelerator Program (Start:ME) is currently recruiting promising entrepreneurs in and around Clarkston and East Lake through November 14 for its 2017 programs,” the announcement from Start:ME says. “Fifteen to 20 entrepreneurs in each community will be chosen to participate and qualify for up to $60K in small business loans.”

[adsanity id=27331 align=aligncenter /]

The 14-week program begins in January and ends in April and is free to join. Only entrepreneurs “100 percent committed to their business” should apply.

Start:ME made $50,000 in loans over the summer, the announcement says. The program began in 2013 and has nurtured 84 business ventures, making 15 working capital loans.

“Participants have attracted $233,000 in investment capital, established seven new brick and mortar locations, and created 28 new jobs,” the announcement says.

Start:ME is also seeking small business mentors for program participants.

“Visit startmeaccelerator.org for more information, to RSVP for info sessions, to complete your Start:ME application, or to apply to be a mentor,” the announcement says.

Here are two announcements about the upcoming program:

startme_pressrelease_2016-10-28_update

startme_2017businessmentorsrole

[adsanity id=9849 align=aligncenter /]