CLIMB serves entrepreneurs and small businesses who:

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• live in the city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County or employ individuals or serve a community in the  city or county;

• meet certain income-based eligibility guidelines; and

• are currently selling goods/services; or for those entrepreneurs without an existing business, can demonstrate that th­e venture is at a stage in which legal assistance would be appropriate.

 

CLIMB prioritizes applications from small businesses whose ownership consists primarily of people of color, women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans or disabled persons.

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During the pilot program, CLIMB will accept applications through its initial referral partners: 

 

• The Boost Pad

• Carolinas–Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council

• Charlotte Business INClusion

• Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce                              

• National Black MBA Association, Inc. – Charlotte Chapter

• Prospera

• Women’s Business Center of Charlotte

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These are separated under three different headings: location, income, and consulting. A few edits were made to this. They also added “will work with referral sources that serve individuals and businesses in those groups. If an applicant does not meet eligibility requirements, CLIMB will make a referral to a (partner?) lawyer or law firm.”