Local Innovator: The Foundry
Click Here“Below is a description of The Foundry from their website:
ABOUT THE FOUNDRY The mission of The Foundry is to increase neighborhood prosperity by empowering individuals through education and entrepreneurship.
BUSINESS INCUBATION We believe that creating the opportunities and conditions necessary for self-sufficiency and economic stability promotes a healthier community. We accept budding entrepreneurs from throughout the city, but we’re especially excited to welcome low-income, minority, women-owned and neighborhood-based businesses into our mix! If you’re looking for space or know of someone who is, please contact us or read more about the Incubator.
We assist with business incubation through affordable rental space, mentoring, business classes and workshops, and connections to local support services.
EDUCATION, EMPOWERMENT AND EMPLOYMENT In addition to entrepreneurship, working with youth to explore various career paths and giving them hands-on skill-sets is a priority for our organization. We facilitate youth opportunities through STEAM exploration, job training partnerships (Baker-Victory Services, YouthBuild), part time employment at the Foundry, career exploration, and youth entrepreneurship programs.
NET+POSITIVE Net+Positive is the official name of our 501c3.
Net+Positive strives to foster ecologically, economically and socially viable neighborhood systems in the City of Buffalo by promoting community arts; providing mentoring and training opportunities for low-income, unemployed or underemployed individuals—particularly people of color and women; and encouraging environmentally sensitive community development. We believe that all individuals should have access to our programs regardless of their criminal history, drug use, personal challenges, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs, if they are committed to making a positive change in their own life.”