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Are You Ready to Scale Beyond $1M?
Why This Program?
Less than 1 in 10 small businesses ever reach $1M in annual revenue. For Black, Latino, women, and other underrepresented entrepreneurs, the odds are even lower.
The Breaking the $1M Barrier Program, with support from the Nasdaq Foundation, is designed to change that. In just 6 months, you’ll experience a blend of self-paced learning, hands-on coaching, peer support, and direct investor + corporate connections — all focused on helping you cross the $1M milestone.
Key Outcomes
By the end of the program, you will:
- Build investor-ready financials and growth strategies.
- Strengthen leadership and operations systems.
- Open new revenue streams and prepare for larger contracts.
- Secure introductions to capital providers and corporate buyers.
Who Should Apply
We’re looking for growth-ready businesses that:
- Are based in North Carolina or Georgia.
- Generate $300K–$900K in annual revenue.
- Are led by underrepresented entrepreneurs.
- Are eager to scale, hire, and reinvest in their communities.
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What You’ll Gain
1. Digital Learning (self-paced)
- Bite-sized modules, accessible anytime
- Topics: Growth, Operations, Capital & Finance, Sales & Marketing, Contracting
- Curated LinkedIn Learning + ready-to-use tools
2. Live Workshops & Small-Group Pods:
- 4 expert- led workshops (Nov - Mar)
- Peer pods for accountability
- Practical sessions to apply learning fast
3. 1:1 Coaching & Mentorship:
- Monthly personalized coaching
- Guidance from experienced executives and business volunteers
- Support aligned to your growth goals
4. Investor & Procurement Connections:
- Capital readiness + financial packaging
- Corporate + investor introductions
- Showcase event (April 2026)
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NEXT STEPS
Apply
Complete the online application by October 10. Selected businesses will receive an estimated $20,000 in consulting value from Bpeace’s 700+ network of business volunteers.
Interview
Semifinalists will be invited to an interview with the Bpeace team in October.
Join the 2025 Cohort
25 businesses will be selected to join the program starting November 2025.
TESTIMONIALS
Bpeace’s program stands out for its holistic and comprehensive approach. It felt like an intensive business school experience, with a focus on practical tools and strategies. It’s a robust program that delivers valuable insights and practical strategies for business growth.
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Bpeace’s program stands out for its holistic and comprehensive approach. It felt like an intensive business school experience, with a focus on practical tools and strategies. It’s a robust program that delivers valuable insights and practical strategies for business growth.
The most valuable aspect of the program was the mentorship. You gain a dedicated advisor committed to your growth, offering consistent guidance and support like a board member. This level of mentorship sets the program apart.
The most valuable aspect of the program was the mentorship. You gain a dedicated advisor committed to your growth, offering consistent guidance and support like a board member. This level of mentorship sets the program apart.
My mentor’s experience and affirmations were precisely what I needed. My time with her was way better than I imagined. Her individual attention really helped me grow, gain confidence, and understand my business, its potential, and my place in it.
My mentor’s experience and affirmations were precisely what I needed. My time with her was way better than I imagined. Her individual attention really helped me grow, gain confidence, and understand my business, its potential, and my place in it.
Voices of Growth: Entrepreneurs Share Their Bpeace Journeys
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Leading with Authenticity: Melinda Miller’s Journey to Redefine Leadership at PIXO
SGS Contracting: A Minority-Owned Business in North Carolina Builds on Its Solid Foundation
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Shifting the Strategy: LingPerfect’s Path to Corporate Growth
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Building Skills and Confidence: Red’s Beer Garden Gets a Post-Pandemic Boost from Its Bpeace Alliance
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Finding Her Edge: How Carol Parker Walsh Consulting Group Transformed a Lack of Clarity Into Industry Recognition
faqs
Who qualifies for the Breaking the $1M Barrier program?
The program is designed for growth-ready businesses in North Carolina or Georgia that are led by underrepresented entrepreneurs. For this program, underrepresented means women, Black, Latino, Veteran, LGBTQ+, and other historically underrepresented business owners.
To be eligible, businesses should:
1. Be formally registered in the United States.
2. Have been operating for at least two years.
3. Generate annual revenues between $300,000 and $900,000.
4. Employ at least three full-time team members (recommended, but all businesses with strong growth potential are encouraged to apply).
5. Be eager to scale, create jobs, and reinvest in their communities.
The program prioritizes business owners from historically underrepresented groups who have the potential to achieve growth and become competitive suppliers to large companies and/or access financial resources.
Is the program focused on any specific industries?
No. The Breaking the $1M Barrier program is open to all industries. Past participants have come from fields such as public relations, translation services, construction, data analytics, hospitality, video production, IT, UI/UX design, leadership training, branding, advertising, graphic design, staffing, logistics, food service, event planning, market research, payroll services, and more.
How does the Breaking the $1M Barrier program assess the specific needs of my business?
We start with an interview with you to identify your top barriers and opportunities for growth. You’ll also practice pitching your business to a panel of experts who provide real-time feedback. From there, we design Deep Dive group sessions tailored to the most common needs across the cohort and create a personalized plan for your business. With that plan, you’ll receive customized, hands-on support from industry experts. Areas of past support include: process optimization, HR structure, strategic growth planning, succession planning, sales strategies, and preparing for access to capital.
What is the duration of the Breaking the $1M Barrier program, and what is the expected time commitment?
The program runs from November 2025 through April 2026. You and your team should plan for about 6–8 hours per month over six months (Nov 2025 – Mar 2026), including workshops, peer pods, one-on-one coaching, and self-paced learning. The program concludes with a showcase event in April 2026.
What happens after the program ends? Will I still have access to Bpeace experts?
Yes. After completing Breaking the $1M Barrier, you’ll remain part of the Bpeace community with access to our virtual networking and learning platform. You can continue to connect with Bpeace experts for ongoing guidance.
If I don’t qualify for the Breaking the $1M Barrier program, will there be another opportunity for me to participate?
Yes. To receive updates on future programs, email usa@bpeace.org with your name, business name, website, and email address.
What’s the cost to participate?
This program is fully funded by the Nasdaq Foundation. There is no cost for selected businesses.
Have questions?
