Minority entrepreneurs interested in learning the fundamentals of owning and operating a business are invited to apply for The Minority Business Assistance Center's (MBAC) accelerated program, Launch, by Wednesday, July 12.

Launch is a program that primarily focuses on those who have started their own business but need assistance launching their product into the market and gaining greater access to government and state institutional contracts.

Classes will be every Wednesday in August, starting August 2, and will end with pitch night on August 30, from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Those who complete the five-week program will present their business plan to lenders and procurement officers for a $5,000 grant award.

For five weeks, accepted applicants will attend classes taught by industry experts to learn about marketing tools and strategies, partnerships, accessing capital and certifying their business as a minority business enterprise.

To qualify for the program, businesses must be woman or minority-owned, registered with the state of Ohio, and have an existing business plan.

This is the fifth year MBAC has hosted Launch at YBI.