adidas and Impact Hub expand Community Lab Program to Houston
Calling for Local Social Entrepreneurs and Impact Ventures Working at the Intersection of Access and Equity in Sport
Houston, TX — Building upon its mission to uplift Black and Latino/a/e social entrepreneurs on their journeys to drive real change and advance equity in sports for their communities, adidas has opened applications for the 2024-2025 Community Lab cohort to Houston area entrepreneurs! From now through September 23, 2024, potential participants are invited to learn more and apply at https://impacthub.net/works/adidas-community-lab/.
In partnership with a team comprising leaders at Impact Hub Houston, Impact Hub New York, and the global Impact Hub network, the adidas Community Lab is expanding its footprint and accepting applicants from Houston, Toronto, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York. adidas and collaborators Impact Hub, i.e. (Industry Education), and Black Ambition will co-create programming that helps elevate participants’ clear visions into impactful futures.
This year, the adidas Community Lab cohort will select entrepreneurs to receive eight months of intensive programming and $75,000 in grant funding to put their learnings into practice and generate growth for their business. Community Lab support elements include:
- Mentorship
- Expert pitch training
- Exclusive access to workshops, community connections and fireside chats
- Networking opportunities with adidas executives and top industry leaders
“As Community Lab enters its third year, we are thrilled to cultivate a larger cohort of social entrepreneurs who share our vision of removing barriers to accessing sport for the communities we collectively serve,” said Ayesha Martin, Senior Director of adidas Purpose.
Michelle Avalos, Co-Founder of Impact Hub Houston, shared: “Impact Hub is thrilled to partner and support this third iteration of adidas Community Lab, empowering visionary leaders who are advancing SDG3 —Good Health and Wellbeing — and SDG10 — Reduced Inequalities. Together, we’re helping entrepreneurs create equitable access to sports and foster healthier, more inclusive communities for all.”
“Black Ambition was founded to create the space, bespoke opportunities and relationships needed for underrepresented founders to excel, uninterrupted. We are excited to partner with adidas Purpose to extend elements of our renowned, global founder support model to social impact entrepreneurs positively transforming their communities through sports and wellness,” added Jermeen Sherman, Managing Director Black Ambition.
For more information on adidas Community initiatives, visit https://adidas.com/community.
###
About adidas
adidas is a global leader in the sporting goods industry. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany, the company employs more than 59,000 people across the globe and generated sales of € 22.5 billion in 2022.
About Impact Hub & Impact Hub Houston
Impact Hub leads the charge in creating communities for impact-driven entrepreneurs. Its diverse network of over 120 Impact Hubs in 69 countries around the world help people build better businesses, design impactful solutions, and reimagine the future with resources and support from local and regional ecosystems. Part of this network and Regional Lead for North America, Impact Hub Houston inspires, connects, and empowers entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into impact, build strong innovation and startup foundations, leverage diverse professional networks, and access new capital strategies and resources.
About Industry Education
This year programming is further enhanced by a bespoke leadership module by i.e. i.e. (Industry Education) is a startup venture enabling diverse creatives an accessible pathway to turn their dreams into meaningful professional careers through an apprenticeship network and leadership development series offered in partnership with leading corporations. i.e. founder and CEO Jessica Smith is an expert in leadership education and co-founder of adidas S.E.E.D.
About Black Ambition
Black Ambition is a non-profit organization founded by Pharrell Williams working to close the opportunity and wealth gap through entrepreneurship. They invest capital and resources in high-growth startups founded by Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs. They believe entrepreneurs historically left out of traditional investment funnels are building the companies of tomorrow. To date, they have mentored more than 1,000 underrepresented founders and awarded more than $10m to 101 dynamic entrepreneurs. They will support adidas Community Lab with specific programming sessions and an immersive network cultivation experience.