© Reuters.
MOUNTAIN VIEW, California – 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 its annual Fast Break for Small Business Grant Program. The initiative aims to distribute $3 million in grants and services to empower small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, providing them with the capital and resources needed to meet the challenges of starting and growing a business.
This year's program will allocate $1.5 million 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 amid economic challenges such as inflation and bank failures.
The initiative has been endorsed by NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo and WNBA champion Kelsey Plum, who will appear 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 experience to those at the beginning of his business journey.
Since its inception in 2021, the Fast Break for Small Business program has awarded $1.5 million to 150 small business owners and provided nearly 4,000 with free LegalZoom services. Most recipients identify as people of color and many are women-owned businesses located in NBA, WNBA, or G League metropolitan areas.
Applications for the grants are open today through September 13, 2024. Awards will be distributed throughout the NBA and WNBA seasons, with Accion Opportunity Fund, a leading nonprofit small business lender, supervising the grant distribution process.
LegalZoom's mission is to support the entrepreneurial journey from startup to business management, offering legal, tax and compliance products and expertise. This program is part of its broader effort to empower entrepreneurs to realize their business aspirations.
The information in this article is based on a press release.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information consult our T&C.