Immigrant Welcome Center launches ‘Greenhouse Program’ for entrepreneurs
Photo / Tim Greenway
Alain J. Nahimana, executive director of Greater Portland Welcome Center, works hard to create economic, social and civic opportunities for New Mainers. A new initiative is called the Greenhouse Program, which will provide training, mentoring and networking support, as well as access to capital to help aspiring entrepreneurs get their new businesses off the ground.
The Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center is offering to help aspiring entrepreneurs — five to start with in the new year — get new businesses off the ground.
Through an initiative called the Greenhouse Program, the nonprofit center will provide training, mentoring and networking support, as well as access to capital.
After six months of intense training and coaching, graduates are to have a deeper understanding of developing and running a successful business, as well as a coherent and actionable business plan.
The Immigrant Welcome Center, co-founded by Burundi native Alain Nahimana who serves as executive director, aims to help Portland’s thriving immigrant community fully reach its civic, economic and social potential.
Nahimana will be among 11 individuals honored at the Mainebiz Next reception tonight for their contributions to Maine’s economy.
He recently told Mainebiz: “I am an immigrant myself, and the IWC's mission is one that reflects our resilience and our determination to live the American dream. It tells the story of who we are and what our aspirations are in this new land that we call ‘home.’”
The center, located at 24 Preble St., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its expansion to the renovated fourth floor that includes a 20-seat digital language laboratory and an Immigrant Business Hub — whose first initiative is the Greenhouse Program.
Starting next year with a class of five, the Greenhouse Program is open to immigrants who meet five criteria, including being able to dedicate two to five hours a week to the program and the hope that their business will hire employees at some point in the future. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday. Dec. 14, and participants will be announced by Jan. 2, 2019.
Don Gooding, a member of the advisory committee overseeing the Business Hub, told Mainebiz that while the Greenhouse Program will start with a small group, the long-term goal is to provide support for all those who need it.
“It’s really about taking the first step,” he said. “And frankly, immigrants have already done something which is much scarier, by leaving their home and moving here. By comparison, this [starting a business] is not so scary after all.”
He also noted that immigrants are much more likely than native-born Americans to be entrepreneurs, as shown in numerous studies.
In Maine, where immigrants make up only 3% of the population, they own small businesses that generate $48 million in annual revenue, according to a 2017 report by the American Immigration Council.
Funding for The Greenhouse Program is expected to come from a variety of sources so that the Center can help companies access debt as well as grants and equity where appropriate.
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