WILMINGTON, DE (December 10) – The Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation (PDFF) proudly announces the continuation of its partnership with Wilmington Alliance for the 2024 Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (E3) application cycle. This collaboration aims to accelerate business growth across Delaware, with a $25,000 contribution from Wilmington Alliance, enabling significant support to up to seven additional businesses based in Wilmington.
E3 was launched in partnership with Wilmington Alliance in 2020. Wilmington Alliance has committed $25,000 annually to support Wilmington based businesses that were selected to the ecosystem. Barclays contributed $500,000 of anchor funding to support PDFF’s work in advancing minority-owned businesses across the state. Additional funding to support this work has come from Discover Bank and Capital One.
Stephanie Johnnie, PDFF Executive Director, expressed gratitude for the ongoing support: “We are grateful for partners like Barclays and the Wilmington Alliance who understand the value of investing in entrepreneurship. Our E3 members can scale further and faster in the marketplace thanks to their vision, collaboration, and investments.”
“We are proud to continue this partnership and our annual financial support of Wilmington-based entrepreneurs through E3”, states Wilmington Alliance CEO, Renata Kowalczyk. “It’s a joy to see the program grow and be able to use entrepreneurship as a vehicle to bring equity and inclusion to local economic development.”
Since 2020, E3 has invested in over 150 businesses statewide, providing operational support and technical assistance to help these businesses accelerate their operations. In response to growing demand, PDFF launched a membership program in 2022. This program allows entrepreneurs to join the network outside the application cycle and gain access to resources including entrepreneurial coaching, workshops, masterminds, webinars, guided decision-making, valuable networking opportunities, and a diverse pool of vetted service providers and consultants.
My Real Estate Store founders, Nicole and Dwayne Geames, initially joined the program as members, before applying for the 2024 cohort. “Engaging in the scoping process has provided us with a comprehensive overview of our business operations, allowing us to pinpoint key areas for improvement. Collaborating with the team has been a pleasure; their insightful contributions are instrumental in our efforts to grow and expand our business into new states,” said Geames.
At present, members of the cohort are actively engaged in exploring ways to elevate their businesses. Below, you can find the names of our current participants.
Supported by: Barclays
- My Real Estate Store: Nicole & Dwayne Geames
- StripezTruckStop Travel Centers: Charlene Poe
- Malloy Industries: Mike Malloy
- Grantor Investments LLC: Deborah & Maurice Adams
- Hands in Health Training Institute: Zalaya Johnson
- RSC Landscaping: Richard Cordrey
- Teach Zen Inc: Kyma Fulgence
- Queendom Care: Staci Stills
- G&R Campground: Yolanda & Leonard Young
- The Trash Porters: Chris Boozer
- L. Echevarria Attorneys at Law: Laneyscha Echevarria
- OBEnaturelle: Lauren Roberts
- Next Level Home Improvement: Kyle Winkfield
- Zodiac Intentions: Elena Young
Supported by Wilmington Alliance:
- Droneversity: Ashlee Cooper
- Erin Hutt Consulting, LLC: Erin Hutt
- The Noble Woman: Erica Dorsett
- New Level Staffing: Chanel Edwards
- My Stewardship Journey: Autumn Green
- Dubard Enterprises: Dubard McGriff
- Congruence Coaching & Consulting: Vanessa Downing