Work on your business, not just in your business.

The South Haven Regional Business Hub’s Growth Series is a 26-week cohort program designed for regional small business owners who have been in operation more than three years and are committed to growing their businesses. The Growth Series provides intensive education, one-on-one mentorship, technical assistance, and access to critical business resources. The program is offered at no cost to participating business owners, made possible through grant funding secured by the Hub.

Program and Eligibility

Qualifications for Participants

Minimum of three (3) years in business
At least $100,000 in annual revenue
At least one full-time employee, excluding the owner
Business located in Southwest Michigan
Participants must sign a participation agreement confirming their commitment to:
- Attend scheduled sessions
- Meet regularly with assigned mentors
- Actively complete and implement their 30-, 60-, and 90-day action plans

These criteria are intended as general guidelines; entrepreneurs who demonstrate strong growth potential are encouraged to apply even if they do not meet every qualification.

Important Dates

April 1: Applications open
May 13: Program applications are due via electronic or email submission by 6 p.m.
May 18-22: Interviews with the Hub Board
May 27: Successful applicants notified
June 10: First Growth Series session
December 2: The PITCH community event
December 9: Founders Circle kick off

Outcomes of the Growth Series

The program launches with the completion of the GrowthWheel, a visual strategic tool that provides a 360-degree view of business decision-making by breaking four common business challenges into 20 Focus Areas. Participants develop 30-, 60-, and 90-day action plans with their mentors. All sessions are strategically designed to address the most common challenges and failure points faced by small business owners during the growth stage.

The GrowthWheel framework helps entrepreneurs identify opportunities and challenges, avoid blind spots, and focus on the most critical areas for growth:

Validate Your Vision: Clearly define your value prop and pivot based on real-world market feedback.
Scale with Precision: Test your ideas small, iterate fast, and build a model that actually lasts.
Own the Digital Space: Master Google tools and marketing tactics to attract and keep your ideal customers.
Master the Money: Design sustainable revenue models and build financial forecasts that investors trust.
Bulletproof Your Operations: Set up the legal, accounting, and HR systems needed to protect your business.
Secure Your Funding: Navigate capital options and walk into investor meetings with total confidence.
Work Smarter with AI: Strategically deploy AI tools to 10x your productivity and sharpen your decision-making.
Lead Your Growth: Exit with a clear roadmap, documented SOPs, and the leadership skills to execute.

2026 Program Enhancements

We’ve listened to our founders to make 2026 our most impactful year yet. You’ll benefit from tailored mentoring for your exact business stage, a curriculum updated for the AI-driven economy, and a seat in The Founders Circle—ensuring your growth doesn’t stop when the program ends. We haven’t just updated the syllabus; we’ve built a lifelong support system for your success including:

Targeted Mentorship: Align with experts hand-selected for your specific industry and growth stage.
Integrated Frameworks: Use the GrowthWheel in every session to turn strategic insights into measurable results.
Elevated Peer Networks: Solve hurdles faster within a high-trust cohort of fellow founders.
Next-Gen Skills: Lead the market with new modules on AI adoption, SOPs, and advanced financial strategy.
Extended Access: Explore specialized electives or stay connected through the exclusive Founders Circle alumni network.

Concept Paper and Financials

To be considered for the 2026 Growth Series, applicants must submit a Concept Paper outlining their business’s current state and future trajectory. This document helps our selection committee understand your vision and readiness for scale. Download your Growth Series Application Checklist Here. Your Concept Paper must address the following core areas:

Business & Value Proposition: Define your product or service, the specific problem you solve for customers, and the unique qualities that set you apart from the competition.
Market & Audience: Identify your target customer segments, the size of your market, and current industry trends or regulations that impact your growth.
Management & Operations: Detail your team’s relevant experience and identify the key partnerships (vendors, suppliers, or distributors) required to keep your business running.
Marketing & Sales: Summarize your current customer acquisition tactics and your strategy for reaching new audiences moving forward.
Financial Health & Projections: Explain your current revenue model and provide a three-year summary of projected revenue, operating costs, and anticipated profitability.

Please provide written specifics using the outlined sections, and save your work as a pdf, xls, xlsx, csv, doc, docx, ppt, pptx, txt for upload.

All South Haven Regional Business Hub programs are open to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. We are happy to make arrangements for persons with disabilities; please submit your request two weeks in advance.