MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - LegalZoom.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:LZ), a leading online platform for business formation, has partnered with the NBA, WNBA, and NBA G-League to launch the largest round of their annual Fast Break for Small Business grant program. The initiative aims to distribute $3M in grants and services to bolster small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, providing them with the capital and resources necessary to navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business.
This year's program is set to allocate $1,500,000 in financial grants to 150 existing small business owners and an equal amount in products and services to 3,000 emerging entrepreneurs. Dan Wernikoff, CEO of LegalZoom, emphasized the importance of such programs in offering financial and educational support to small businesses, which continue to demonstrate resilience amidst economic challenges like inflation and bank failures.
The initiative has been endorsed by NBA Champion Giannis Antetokounmpo and WNBA Champion Kelsey Plum, who will feature in a LegalZoom TV campaign to raise awareness about the ease of starting a business with the company's services. Antetokounmpo, who recently launched his own small business, Improbable Media, expressed his desire to provide access to business opportunities and expertise for those at the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey.
Since its inception in 2021, the Fast Break for Small Business program has awarded $1,500,000 to 150 small business owners and provided nearly 4,000 with free LegalZoom services. The majority of grantees identify as people of color, and many are female-owned businesses located in NBA, WNBA, or G League metro areas.
Applications for the grants are open today through September 13, 2024. The awards will be distributed throughout the NBA and WNBA seasons, with Accion Opportunity Fund, a leading nonprofit small business lender, overseeing the grant distribution process.
LegalZoom's mission is to support the entrepreneurial journey from inception to business management, offering legal, tax, and compliance products and expertise. This program is part of their broader effort to empower entrepreneurs to realize their business aspirations.
The information for this article is based on a press release statement.
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