Southside First helps bring digital transformation to diverse small businesses in Bexar County with Verizon Small Business Digital Ready
In partnership with Next Street and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Verizon Small Business Digital Ready aims to focus on women- and minority-owned businesses in under- resourced communities The online curriculum will provide resources and in-depth support - including coaching, networking and incentives
SAN ANTONIO, TX—June 6, 2022—Today, Southside First announced its plan to help bring a new
online curriculum to small businesses across [market]: Verizon Small Business Digital Ready. In
partnership with Next Street and LISC, the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready online curriculum is
designed to give small businesses the tools they need to thrive in today’s digital economy, including
access to personalized learning plans, coaching from experts and networking opportunities with
diverse, industry-specific businesses.
More than 100,000 small businesses closed due to the pandemic, with a disproportionate impact on
Black and Lantinx-owned small businesses. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready offers businesses
support, aiming to enable digital readiness and drive digital transformation through a customized
curriculum that accounts for industry, size, and interests. Southside First is proud to be working with
Verizon to reach those businesses most in need of support within [Bexar County. Gabriela Cadena,
Southside First CEO “We are happy to help strengthen Small Businesses in the Southside of San
Antonio and Southern Bexar County.”
Developed by small businesses, Verizon Small Business Digital Ready provides a personalized
experience – providing resources, networking and coaching tailored to a small business’s specific
needs. The program can help small businesses move forward in four ways:
1. Personalized Learning
Content presented by small businesses through brief, information-packed lessons small
businesses can use right away.
online curriculum to small businesses across [market]: Verizon Small Business Digital Ready. In
partnership with Next Street and LISC, the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready online curriculum is
designed to give small businesses the tools they need to thrive in today’s digital economy, including
access to personalized learning plans, coaching from experts and networking opportunities with
diverse, industry-specific businesses.
More than 100,000 small businesses closed due to the pandemic, with a disproportionate impact on
Black and Lantinx-owned small businesses. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready offers businesses
support, aiming to enable digital readiness and drive digital transformation through a customized
curriculum that accounts for industry, size, and interests. Southside First is proud to be working with
Verizon to reach those businesses most in need of support within [Bexar County. Gabriela Cadena,
Southside First CEO “We are happy to help strengthen Small Businesses in the Southside of San
Antonio and Southern Bexar County.”
Developed by small businesses, Verizon Small Business Digital Ready provides a personalized
experience – providing resources, networking and coaching tailored to a small business’s specific
needs. The program can help small businesses move forward in four ways:
1. Personalized Learning
Content presented by small businesses through brief, information-packed lessons small
businesses can use right away.
2. Expert coaching
Guidance from business experts across marketing, business planning, legal, and more.
3. Peer Networking
Connections to other small businesses to build their networks.
4. Incentives
A marketplace of tools, solutions, products and services that can help small businesses.
Participants will also be eligible to apply for grant funding exclusive to users of Verizon Small
Business Digital Ready.1
Guidance from business experts across marketing, business planning, legal, and more.
3. Peer Networking
Connections to other small businesses to build their networks.
4. Incentives
A marketplace of tools, solutions, products and services that can help small businesses.
Participants will also be eligible to apply for grant funding exclusive to users of Verizon Small
Business Digital Ready.1
1 Participants who register for Verizon Small Business Digital Ready and complete two courses or mentoring events will be eligible to apply for a $10,000 grant.
https://www.verizon.com/about/responsibility/digital-inclusion/small-business-training.
This initiative is one part of Verizon’s commitment to providing one million small businesses with digital
tools and resources by 2030 and is central to Verizon’s responsible business plan, Citizen Verizon, for
economic, environmental, and social advancement. Launched in 2020 to move the world forward for all,
Citizen Verizon leverages technology, innovation, and resources to address the world’s most pressing
issues across digital inclusion, climate protection and human prosperity. As part of Citizen Verizon,
Verizon plans to exceed $3 billion in its responsible business investment from 2020-2025 to continue
helping vulnerable communities bridge the digital divide and prepare for the digital economy of the
future.
This initiative is one part of Verizon’s commitment to providing one million small businesses with digital
tools and resources by 2030 and is central to Verizon’s responsible business plan, Citizen Verizon, for
economic, environmental, and social advancement. Launched in 2020 to move the world forward for all,
Citizen Verizon leverages technology, innovation, and resources to address the world’s most pressing
issues across digital inclusion, climate protection and human prosperity. As part of Citizen Verizon,
Verizon plans to exceed $3 billion in its responsible business investment from 2020-2025 to continue
helping vulnerable communities bridge the digital divide and prepare for the digital economy of the
future.
ABOUT VERIZON
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000, and is one of the
world’s leading providers of technology, communications, information and entertainment products and
services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated
revenues of $128.3 billion in 2020. The company offers data, video and voice services and solutions on
its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable
network connectivity, security and control.