Intuit is expanding the IDEAS (Invest, Develop, Empower, Accelerate, Scale) business accelerator program to nine metropolitan areas across the United States. A new nationwide cohort will also support military veterans and their spouses with targeted entrepreneurial resources.
What Is The Intuit IDEAS Program?
Intuit IDEAS is a comprehensive 12-month accelerator program to equip small business owners with the digital infrastructure, financial literacy, and leadership skills needed to compete and scale up their ventures in today’s economy.
At its core is Intuit’s platform –QuickBooks, TurboTax, MailChimp, and Credit Karma –which participants gain full access to during the program. They will also have access to experts who will help them grow their small businesses through support with aspects like business compliance, back-office bookkeeping, tax preparation, and email marketing.
Intuit also partnered with the National Urban League to provide culturally competent business coaching and with Zella Life to offer personalized executive mentorship. “The success and impact of Intuit IDEAS is undeniable,” said Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League, in a press release. “By combining Intuit’s products and services with the National Urban League’s 115 years of experience supporting and coaching small business owners, the possibilities for us together to make a real difference are endless.”
At the end of the 12-month program, participants will also receive $5,000 to help them further scale up their businesses. In its inaugural year, Intuit reports that participants experienced an average of 23% revenue growth and reclaimed up to 16.5 hours per month through improved workflows and automation.
Expanding The Program’s Reach
The IDEAS program was piloted Los Angeles, then first expanded to Atlanta and Philadelphia. Because of its success, Intuit announced a further expansion of the IDEAS program, extending its scope to six more areas: Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, New Orleans, New York City, and San Diego. This marks a major commitment to economic inclusion and small business development nationwide.
“We created this program, and continue to invest in it, because it is an incredible example of our mission and platform coming to life and a proven model of what a small business owner can achieve when they have products, services, and support they need not only to survive but to thrive,” said David Graham, Senior Vice President of Customer Services at Intuit in the same press release.