#United States #Carmel #Baker Hill #NACCE #CEED to Success

Baker Hill and NACCE Join Forces to Support Underserved Entrepreneurs

In a groundbreaking initiative, Baker Hill, a prominent player in the fintech sector, has collaborated with the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) to launch the "CEED to Success" program. This national pilot aims to empower underserved entrepreneurs, encompassing veterans, women, and minority-owned businesses by equipping them with vital business skills, financial preparedness, and critical local connections necessary for securing funding and achieving growth.

This program is a significant extension of Baker Hill's Community Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development (CEED) framework, which is grounded in the principle that thriving entrepreneurs contribute to the overall prosperity of their communities. Dirk Soma, the Director of CEED at Baker Hill, emphasized the program’s transformative potential for the eco-system. "CEED to Success is not merely a program; it serves as a catalyst for systemic transformation," he stated, emphasizing that the initiative aims to create supportive environments where underserved entrepreneurs can not only establish their businesses but also drive long-term, community-focused impact.

One of the standout features of the CEED to Success pilot is its integration with NACCE's expansive network of community and technical colleges across the country. This approach enables the program to provide training, mentorship, and seamless access to local partners. Through varied local workshops, participants will receive guidance from BAIL (Banking, Accounting, Insurance, Legal) teams, pitch-readiness training, and the support of peer cohorts and alumni networks. Moreover, they will have access to established NACCE initiatives, including the STRIVE program aimed at assisting transitioning veterans in launching and expanding their ventures.

Dr. Rebecca A. Corbin, NACCE's President and CEO, remarked on the collaborative efforts: "This initiative aligns perfectly with NACCE's mission of empowering colleges to stimulate entrepreneurial thought, reinforce workforce ecosystems, and pave paths to economic prosperity. Combined with Baker Hill's resources, we are enabling entrepreneurs to develop not only aspirations but also the financial acumen and confidence to scale their businesses and fortify their communities."

The pilot program will involve twenty selected community colleges that will host entrepreneurial cohorts, facilitating connections between participants and financial institutions such as banks and credit unions, along with local stakeholders in their respective areas. As the program progresses, key outcomes will be measured, including completion rates of training, access to capital, job creation figures, and overall business sustainability over time.

Baker Hill’s commitment to fostering economic growth through inclusive entrepreneurship is further bolstered by this partnership, highlighting NACCE's significant role in nurturing innovation and providing opportunities through higher education.

About Baker Hill

Founded with the vision of transforming the lending landscape, Baker Hill is recognized as the foremost provider of lending technology for banks and credit unions in the United States. The company’s platform facilitates over $7 billion in lending originations each month, enabling financial institutions to translate their ambitions of better, faster lending into reality. Headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, Baker Hill operates additional locations, including one in Santa Barbara, California. To discover more about their technological solutions, visit www.bakerhill.com.

About NACCE

The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship represents a collective of educators, administrators, and entrepreneurs dedicated to sparking entrepreneurship across their institutions and communities. NACCE is committed to providing leadership and scalable resources to stimulate entrepreneurial thinking. Today, NACCE supports an extensive network of technical and community colleges, helping to drive the movement of entrepreneurship among over 3.3 million students in North America. For further information, explore www.nacce.com.