Dale Fickett MBA

An initiative of Richmond’s Economic Development Authority, and under Fickett’s leadership the Regional Planning District Commission accepted recommendations for a business incubation strategy, which included a new initiative to cultivate entrepreneurs in lower income communities: • Formed an advisory board of diverse business and public sector leaders, establishing community governance to combat poverty through entrepreneurship. • Led detailed strategic planning cycles, including secondary research and community focus groups to: craft the mission, vision, target operating model, change journey / roadmap of implementation phases, target budget and funding model, organizational structure, work-plan and communications strategy. • Structured core volunteer teams in the following areas: fundraising and board development, delivery of core programming, and the planning for a new Charitable Loan Fund to increase access to capital for lower-income entrepreneurs. • Instituted programming to assist lower income entrepreneurs gain access to curriculum, coaching, pathways to capital, professional networking, peer learning forums, pro bono professional services and new sales opportunities. • Launched Open Trellis, a related venture to extend impact in additional cities by developing technology for greater access to professional connections, market information, and loan capital. • Achieved 103 program participants, 95% of whom are women- or minority-owned businesses and 58% are from lower income households, 77 program graduates of whom two-thirds have started a business. Graduates report 24 new part-time jobs, 31 new full time jobs, as well as an average 38% increase in the entrepreneurs’ annual income. • Authored whitepapers and blog articles and conference presentations on Entrepreneur Inclusion, Startup Acceleration, Lean Startup, financial modelling and valuation, Capital Access, Sustainability, regional innovation strategy, and community engagement.