Cross River and TechUnited Join Forces for Second Year to Empower Women and Minority Business Owners Through Mentorship Program

Cross River and TechUnited Join Forces for Second Year to Empower Women and Minority Business Owners Through Mentorship Program

Organizations kick off National Entrepreneurship Month with commitment to propelling the future of New Jersey businesses and a focus on the next generation of founders

FORT LEE, N.J. - Cross River Bank (“Cross River”), a technology infrastructure provider that offers embedded financial solutions, and TechUnited, a non-profit membership organization focused on empowering entrepreneurs & innovators, announce the launch of the 2nd Annual Women and Minority Business Owner Mentorship Cohort to benefit women and minority entrepreneurs in New Jersey.

“Now in its second year, we’re proud to launch this year’s Women and Minority Business Owner Mentorship Cohort to benefit underrepresented entrepreneurs in New Jersey together with our longstanding community partner, TechUnited,” said Phil Goldfeder, SVP, Global Public Affairs at Cross River. “When we invest and empower women and minority business owners with the resources to succeed, we all win.”

Kicking off with the start of November’s National Entrepreneurship Month, the cohort is meant to provide support and guidance to underrepresented founders and business owners as they launch and grow their businesses. The program will run though January, with both virtual and in-person sessions.

“Programs like the Women and Minority Business Owner Mentorship Cohort that TechUnited and Cross River have created are the key to improving our community and helping our businesses thrive,” said New Jersey Assemblywoman Angela McKnight (LD-31). “As an entrepreneur and business mentor, I know firsthand that having someone in your corner guiding you, educating you, and providing business acumen you wouldn’t normally have access to, is life-changing. It is organizations like these, that are committed to helping, mentoring, empowering, and supporting our community that will positively impact the lives of these entrepreneurs and make New Jersey stronger.”

Program mentors will be matched with business owners based on their business strengths and the needs of the mentee, and could include aid in resolving business challenges, tactical advice or providing guidance in decision-making, among other areas of support.

“It is pertinent that we support and give women and minority owned businesses vital resources and essential tools to succeed,” stated Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter (LD-35). “Underrepresented founders and business owners are the fabric of our economy and play a crucial role in the growth of our communities. Cross River and TechUnited’s cohort will ensure that women and minority businesses are given the opportunity to not only thrive but be propelled to compete amongst their peers.”

Cross River and TechUnited share common values in propelling the inclusion of underrepresented groups in business and enhancing the community through supporting entrepreneurs. The cohort will empower those that build the future, specifically focusing on women and minority founders & small business owners in New Jersey.

“These types of programs are critical,” says Jasmine Ward, Head of Experience at TechUnited:NJ. “While our region is #2 in the country for investment, still less than 3% of venture financing is awarded to female-founded companies when women own and operate over 22% of businesses in the US. Our goal is to continue building the momentum of New Jersey’s women and minority entrepreneurs so that they can access the guidance, capital, and customers needed to succeed.”

Applications into the cohort are being accepted until November 15, 2022. Business owners and those interested in participating as a mentor can learn more about the program here.

About TechUnited

TechUnited:NJ is a membership-driven, non-profit organization that offers opportunities for tech-enabled companies and entrepreneurs to connect, collaborate, and grow to propel the future of New Jersey and beyond through events, mentorship, content creation, and more.