PROPEL Your Small Business
If you’ve ever taken the leap and started your own business, you know the challenges involved: balancing the books, retaining employees, and getting plugged in to the community. They are challenges every business has to tackle and the Chamber’s unique Propel program can help you through it. If you’re a small, woman, minority, or veteran- owned business Propel can match you a world-class mentor who has the experience of growing a business. Also, you’re eligible for one-on-one expert assistance as your business gets off the ground. Propel has a track record of success using a three-pronged approach to help start-ups Propel their small business to success:
1. Propel Mentor/Protégé Program
The mentorship program matches start-up business leaders with top management at established companies in the region for three years. This one-on-one initiative not only gives you guidance, it can also put your business in touch with a wealth of resources helping you overcome challenges ranging from cash flow to employee retention. To date, this branch of Propel has created 50 new jobs and $21 million in economic impact for East Tennessee.
Applications for the Mentor/Protege Program are currently being accepted. Click here to apply to be a Mentor. Click here to apply to be a Protege.
2. Small Business Development
One-on-one counseling sessions focused on developing your small business are available for any company inside the Innovation Valley or any company interested in doing business here.
3. Diversity Champions
Diversity Champions raises the bar of importance for economic inclusion in our region’s workplaces. All firms that value economic inclusion and want to enhance the Innovation Valley’s quality of life are welcome to join. In addition to 60 diversity officers, Propel maintains a database of new minority business owners and an open-source database of established female and minority businesses in the Innovation Valley. These resources can help your business connect with the community, even if you’re just starting out.
Propel is funded as part of Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley, a regional economic development initiative.
To learn more about Propel contact::
Doug Minter Business Development Manager
Office: 865-637-4550
Cell: 865-389-3710
Email: dminter@knoxvillechamber.com