REDi – ReEntry Entrepreneurship Development Initiative

ReEntry Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (REDi), an anchor program of the Indy Chamber’s Entrepreneur Services division, creates opportunities for current and formerly incarcerated individuals to explore small business ownership as a means of self-sufficiency.

REDi provides a six-week training course and one-on-one coaching for justice-involved individuals. It has helped launch 35 businesses. The training course is a foundational course that teaches things like cash flow, market research, and customer relations. REDi is a program of the Business Ownership Initiative (BOI) that provides over 10,000 hours of business coaching and over $400,000 in lending capital across the Indianapolis region each year.

 

 

 

The Program

The REDi program prepares participants by providing one-on-one coaching and a variety of workshop series that assist in the business planning process. REDi is designed into four key phases taught over a six-week class: Entrepreneurship 101, Business Planning, Start the Business, and Grow the Business.

REDi is currently accepting applicants for their upcoming January - March class. Take me to the application.

ELIGIBILITY In order to participate in the five-week REDi Course, all applicants must meet these basic criteria:
Must have a criminal history and be at least six months post-incarceration.
Must have an interest in small business ownership.
Must have basic reading, math, and computer skills.
Must have a working phone, phone number, and email address.
Must be able to commit to six weeks of training, a 2-day week for two hrs. per class.
Must have stable housing for six months.
Must be willing to meet with a business coach during and/or after the course.

 

REDI Pitch Night

The REDi pitch competition provides 5 entrepreneurs an opportunity to present their business to the audience and compete for a first-place $5,000 cash prize and runner-up $2,500 cash prize plus a package of professional services.
Learn More

In the Headlines

Inside Indiana Business

In this Inside Indiana Business piece, learn about the 2020 REDi pitch winner. READ: “Chamber Honors Ex-offenders Pursing Business Dreams”


Read the Article

IBJ

In IBJ’s Q&A piece, Tichina Clark shares how she took the lessons she learned through the REDi program to create her business. READ: “Q&A with Tichina Clark, who turned lessons from prison into a business”


Read the Article

In the Words of REDi Students

“One of the essential components that allowed me to be where I am now in my life now was being involved in the REDi program. I ended up meeting [my business coach] and it was a pivotal point in my life.” Michael Lacey, Founder of Fort Goat Productions

In the Words of REDi Students

“One of the essential components that allowed me to be where I am now in my life now was being involved in the REDi program. I ended up meeting [my business coach] and it was a pivotal point in my life.” Michael Lacey, Founder of Fort Goat Productions.

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