MetroMorphosis will soon offer, for the third year, a LaunchBR Green Technology Business Academy, a fourteen-week, cohort-based business academy that equips entrepreneurs in the construction, landscaping and lawn care sector with the insights, relationships, and tools needed to start or scale their businesses. In addition to learning traditional business development skills, this third cohort of LaunchBR will be able to implement water management and green infrastructure technologies that are cost-effective while making our community more resilient in the face of wet weather events.
MetroMorphosis founder Raymond A. Jetson developed the idea of hosting a business development academy after the successful dissemination of a survey to minority owned businesses participating in the Urban Congress on African American Males. LaunchBR Green Technology Business Academy, as it is called, will utilize the CO.STARTERS curriculum to expand business ownership within underrepresented populations in under-invested communities. Drawing from the experience of successful entrepreneurs and start-up veterans from around the globe, CO.STARTERS walks creative small-business owners through lean, effective business modeling methods in a simple and intuitive way, and with the help of a supportive community. Rather than treating a start-up like a large corporation and writing a detailed business plan, CO.STARTERS participants are encouraged to build and test small models first. In the process, participants receive real-time customer feedback, update their models to meet customer needs and avoid creating businesses based on incorrect assumptions.Â
The CO.STARTERS program has a global reach, serving numerous communities across the United States, New Zealand, and Australia.
LaunchBR Green Technology Business Academy Cohort 3 will be implemented and facilitated by Tyra L. Banks, a passionate member of the MetroMorphosis team. Ms. Banks is a successful business owner and a graduate of LSU’s College of Business. Other instructors have been tapped to bring value to the class. Banking and financial concepts will be taught by the staff of TruFund Financial. Practical application and maintenance of green infrastructure projects will be taught by Patrick Michaels of PatchLA Landscape Architecture. Horticulture concepts will be presented by Stephanie Elwood, licensed horticulturist and principal at The Garden Lady. During each class, case studies that help students apply business concepts will be presented by Stacey Baxter, a finance graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University.Â
The fourteen-week program will kick off October 1st with the support of several community partners including Louisiana Economic Development, Louisiana Small Business Development Center, Baton Rouge North Economic Development District, TruFund and the Greater Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce. To apply for Cohort 3, contact Tyra Banks at tyra@metromorphosis.net
 For more information on CO.STARTERS, visit https://costarters.co/. To learn more about LaunchBR, visit www.launchbr.comÂ
