ABOUT WEPOWER

WEPOWER is building a team full of dreamers and doers. We partner with Black and Latinx communities to build power to re-design education, health, economic, and justice systems to be just and equitable for all. We engage the community and amplify their voices to inform critical decisions that impact their lives. We train community members to advocate and lead change. We invest in businesses and provide coaching and connections as they create jobs in the communities with whom we partner. We envision a future where we all have to power to lead, so every community prospers. Join us. Let's build together!

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Director of Entrepreneurship, the Entrepreneur Support Fellow (ESF) is a 12-month AmeriCorps VISTA position. “AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members bring passion and perseverance where the need is greatest: to organizations that help eradicate poverty. AmeriCorps VISTA members serve as a catalyst for change, living and working alongside community members to meet our nation's most pressing challenges and advance local solutions.”

The ESF will be responsible for working with the entrepreneurship team to design, pilot, and evaluate WEPOWER's entrepreneur support model that works to provide Black and Latinx entrepreneurs with access to capital, coaching, and connections as they scale ventures to create economic opportunity in Black and Latinx communities impacted by poverty.

AFTER THE FIRST 12 MONTHS, WE WILL CELEBRATE...

1. The design, pilot, and evaluation of a community-driven recruitment and selection process for WEPOWER's incubator/accelerator.
2. The design, pilot, and evaluation of WEPOWER's incubator/accelerator.
3. The formation of strong relationships and partnerships that support entrepreneurs and their ventures as they scale.

YOU WILL...

CO-DESIGN, PILOT, AND EVALUATE AN INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY-DRIVEN RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS OF NEW VENTURES. (25%)

• Research models of effective venture due diligence and practices to support selection of ventures into an accelerator and incubator
• Research models of effective community governance and ways other regions, organizations, and programs have implemented models like participatory budgeting.
• Revise WEPOWER's outreach, recruitment, and selection model for vetting new ventures.
• Work with the WEPOWER team to form pipeline partners to support venture recruitment.
• Pilot new model with the WEPOWER team and partners.
• Based on successes, challenges, and lessons from the pilot, revise the model for future implementation.

CO-DESIGN, PILOT, AND EVALUATE THE OPERATIONS PLAN FOR THE ACCELERATOR/INCUBATOR (65%)

• Design and pilot the logistical process of recruiting, selecting, onboarding and managing teams of mentors who support venture teams.
• Design and pilot the logistical process for ongoing training sessions for venture teams.
• Design and pilot the logistical process of managing the co-working space experience for venture teams.  
• Design and pilot the logistical process of venture teams scheduling office hours with technical service providers like accountants, lawyers, marketing professionals, and HR professionals.
• Design and pilot the logistical process of venture teams preparing for and scheduling meetings with prospective funders and investors.
• Design and pilot the logistical process of venture teams getting connected to workforce development partners and pipelines to support team growth, especially in the communities with whom WEPOWER partners.
• Design a pilot the logistical process of venture teams continuously engaging and building relationships with the community members in the communities with whom WEPOWER partners.

COLLABORATE WITH THE WEPOWER TEAM AND EXTERNAL EVALUATION PARTNER TO DESIGN AND PILOT AN EVALUATION PLAN (10%)

• Co-design the process of evaluating the effectiveness of the accelerator/incubator and the success of ventures supported.
• Co-pilot the evaluation process.
• Work with the communications team to communicate impact and amplify the stories of venture success.

YOU ARE...

• Results Oriented
• Entrepreneurial and Resourceful
• A Strong Project Manager
• Curious & Creative
• Thorough & Process-Focused

YOUR EDUCATION & EXPERIENCES INCLUDE...

• Working with startups or an entrepreneur support organization
• Working with spreadsheets, data, software, and designing formulas and codes to support efficiency
• Working with communities of color and communities impacted by poverty
• Strong project management
• Designing and creating new things

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The ESF will have the flexibility to recruit, select, and supervise interns, practicum students, fellows, and volunteers.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Fun. Fast. Focused. Values-driven. Community-centered. Collaborative. Innovative. Lots of brainstorming and imagining what's possible and then chasing each possibility until it is reality!

As a startup, WEPOWER demands extreme commitment and agility, AND we value each team member's personal life circumstances and priorities. We will work together to ensure the organization prioritizes the health, social-emotional wellbeing, and morale of each team member! Some evening and weekend work will be expected.

There will be 24-hour access to a co-working space with printing, conference rooms, phone booths, snacks, drinks, and the opportunity to be in community with other innovators, entrepreneurs, and entrepreneur support organizations.

COMPENSATION

VISTAs are technically considered volunteers. As a VISTA member, you receive a bi-weekly living allowance, an education award of $6,095 to support current student loan debt or to go towards future educational endeavors.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ENVIRONMENT

At WEPOWER, we don't just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our team, our programs, and our community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, political affiliation or belief, or genetic information.

This description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

PROCESS

ROUND 1: Apply.

ROUND 2: Phone interview.

ROUND 3: Performance activity and half-day interview.

ROUND 4: Reference check.

START: Welcome to the team!

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