Join Us to Support 1M Small Businesses in Digital Readiness and Resiliency

Find out how you can help to support
Small Businesses now.

Verizon is committed to helping 1 million underserved small businesses thrive in today’s digital economy.

Over the past year, Verizon and the Verizon Foundation has supported Small Businesses through LISC grants of $17.5M, and now Verizon is working with Next Street to design an integrated, personalized and approachable learning community that gives small businesses the tools they need to be successful in today’s changing world. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready offers:

  • Curated content including structured and self-guided curricula
  • Expert coaches to help businesses apply what they learn
  • Access to peers to share knowledge and build community
  • Incentives to propel small businesses forward

Why Small Business? Why now?

The COVID 19 pandemic forced many small businesses to close, and others to adapt to a more virtual environment almost overnight. This accelerated the trend toward a more digital economy and exacerbated the challenges of those businesses who are not digitally resilient.

0%
of Black-owned businesses closed between Feb-April 2020
0%
of SMBs say COVID made them more reliant on technology
0%
of SMBs need and want to pivot their business
0%
of SMBs don’t have a website

Join Us

Become an early adopter and join a part of a of community of Business Service Organizations, Community Development Financial Institutions, Responsible Tech Providers, Foundations, and Investors focused on creating a better future for small businesses.

Long term success

Help drive long-term small business relationships through innovative and interactive experiences.

Integrated Experience

Access a single platform designed with small business needs in mind.

Best in Class Offerings

Expand your products and services with vetted best-in-class offerings.

Increased impact

Deliver increased impact with a solution focused on meeting businesses where they are.

Case Study

What’s Pop-In

After being a chef his entire life, Stefan Coker decided to start his own business. What’s Pop-In, a gourmet popcorn store, opened in Buffalo, NY in November of 2019, only to close a few months later because of COVID-19. Stefan decided to sell his popcorn online, and soon found himself shipping to over 40 states.

Stefan now wants to expand his business, but doesn’t have the industry networks, revenue, management expertise, or capital to take his business to the next level.

Stefan will have access to everything he needs to grow his business and thrive in an increasingly digital economy.

Learn how to add your name to our growing list of partners

Powered by Next Street, a mission-driven firm that mobilizes capital, customers, and capabilities to small businesses and entrepreneurs that have been systemically held back.

LISC draws on its local roots, national breadth, strong partnerships, and a comprehensive set of products and services to pursue inclusive economic development across the country.