East Greensboro NOW

What East Greensboro NOW does

East Greensboro NOW (EGN) is a 501(c)(3) community development corporation headquartered at 601 E Market St # B, Greensboro, NC. Founded in 1998 under the original name East Market Street Development Corporation, EGN was designated by the City of Greensboro as the lead agent for revitalization of the East Market Street Corridor and subsequently expanded its mandate to cover all of East Greensboro. The organization operates a portfolio of programs across four verticals: minority entrepreneurship, community development, economic development, and affordable housing. Core program offerings include the R.E.A.L. Entrepreneurship Program (a 10-week cohort-based training course), Lunch & Learn Series (monthly virtual workshops), Business Accelerator (personalized consulting), Minority Business Opportunity Fair, free business plan reviews, the Affordable Housing Program (with gap funding for construction costs), and the Curb Appeal Improvement Grant. EGN also operates the Eastside Park Community Center and runs the Southeast Youth Chess Club at Hayes-Taylor YMCA. The BlackBizGreensboro.com directory provides a digital platform for Black-owned business visibility.

The organization is led by Mac Sims (President since inception in 1997, a North Carolina A&T State University graduate with prior CDC consulting and construction industry experience) and Phil Barnhill (Executive Vice President since 2008, a Wake Forest University graduate with 10+ years of finance and banking experience). EGN is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Andrena Coleman with committees covering Executive, Marketing, Finance, Nominating, Economic Revitalization, and Housing. Key institutional partners include North Carolina A&T State University (which provides meals and matching start-up stipends up to $1,000 for R.E.A.L. participants), the City of Greensboro, Guilford County, the Salvation Army, the YMCA, and Wellspring Retirement Community. EGN reports that nearly 400 individuals have completed the R.E.A.L. Entrepreneurship Program and that East Greensboro has seen over $750 million in cumulative economic development across shopping centers, apartments, new businesses, streetscapes, and community centers since EGN's inception.

EGN's business model is that of a tax-exempt non-profit. All programs are provided free of charge to participants; revenue is sourced from individual donations, foundation and corporate sponsorships, government and institutional grants (including city-designated revitalization funding), and gap funding partnerships with donors and sponsors for affordable housing construction. The organization maintains a public donate page (with GiveButter integration for Giving Tuesday) and a Squarespace-hosted marketing site. There is no proprietary technology, paid product, or commercial pricing model. Technology footprint is limited to standard social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter), email newsletter signup, the BlackBizGreensboro.com directory, and basic web forms.

Name

East Greensboro NOW

Legal name

East Greensboro NOW

Website

https://eastgreensboronow.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

East Greensboro NOW is a 501(c)(3) community development corporation in Greensboro, NC that delivers free entrepreneurship training, affordable housing programs, and community development services to minority entrepreneurs and East Greensboro residents, in partnership with NC A&T State University and the City of Greensboro.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs (EDAAAOAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN), After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC)

Keywords

• Community development services
• Minority entrepreneurship programs
• Affordable housing development
• Economic revitalization programs
• Business training workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Greensboro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, East Greensboro NOW relies on donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors to fund operations and community programs. The organization maintains a donate page accepting contributions.
2. Gap Funding for Housing Development: The organization partners with donors and sponsors to provide 'gap funding' necessary to offset construction costs for affordable housing development. This is a funding model rather than revenue generation, serving to bridge financing gaps in housing projects.
3. Government and Institutional Grants: Programs are delivered in collaboration with partners like North Carolina A&T State University, which provides meals and matching start-up stipends of up to $1,000 for program participants. Funding also comes from city-designated revitalization programs and public-private partnerships.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

East Greensboro NOW is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community development corporation providing free programs in minority entrepreneurship training, affordable housing development, economic revitalization, and community development for East Greensboro residents. Core offerings include the R.E.A.L. Entrepreneurship Program, Lunch & Learn workshops, Business Accelerator consulting, the Minority Business Opportunity Fair, free business plan reviews, an Affordable Housing Program, and the BlackBizGreensboro.com business directory.

Product overview

East Greensboro NOW is a community development corporation (501(c)(3) non-profit) that offers a portfolio of programs and services focused on minority entrepreneurship, community development, economic development, and affordable housing. The core offerings include the R.E.A.L. Entrepreneurship Program (a 10-week training course), the Lunch & Learn Series (monthly virtual workshops), the Business Accelerator (personalized consulting), the Minority Business Opportunity Fair (networking event), and Free Business Plan Reviews. Complementary services include an Affordable Housing Program, a Curb Appeal Improvement Grant, and the BlackBizGreensboro.com directory platform. The organization has facilitated over $750 million in economic development since its inception in 1998.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• R.E.A.L. Entrepreneurship Program A 10-week training course that empowers participants to develop innovative business and strategic plans to successfully launch and manage a small business. Nearly 400 individuals have completed the program, gaining business coaching during and after their cohort experience. Targeted at minority entrepreneurs in the East Greensboro and Triad region.
• Lunch & Learn Series Monthly hour-long virtual workshops designed for entrepreneurs to expand their knowledge and skills, covering topics such as Obtaining Capital, Promoting Your Business, and Mental Health for Entrepreneurs.
• Business Accelerator Program offering personalized consulting for established minority entrepreneurs, including initial business assessments, tailored workshops for small businesses, and outreach activities.
• Minority Business Opportunity Fair Networking event offering local minority businesses the chance to connect with contracting opportunities from local municipalities, state universities, community colleges, military and federal agencies, and larger private enterprises.
• Free Business Plan Reviews Free business plan review service supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses by providing valuable feedback and guidance to refine strategies, identify potential challenges, and enhance chances of success.
• Affordable Housing Program Program designed to provide quality affordable housing options in lower-wealth East Greensboro neighborhoods, partnering with donors and sponsors to provide gap funding necessary to offset new construction costs and help first-time home buyers gain access to homeownership.
• Curb Appeal Improvement Grant Grant program for commercial property owners to improve the visual appearance and appeal of their properties in East Greensboro.
• BlackBizGreensboro.com Business Directory An online business directory serving as a resource for Black-owned businesses in Greensboro, allowing users to search and register Black-owned businesses in the community.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $750 million in economic development generated since inception in ventures including shopping centers, apartments, new businesses, streetscapes, and community centers
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• City of GreensborocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1998City of Greensboro designated East Greensboro NOW (originally East Market Street Development Corporation) as the lead agent for revitalization of the East Market Street Corridor in 1998. Subsequently expanded to focus on economic development throughout all of East Greensboro. Ongoing collaboration through initiatives addressing appearance and revitalization.
• North Carolina A&T State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with North Carolina A&T State University for REAL Entrepreneurship Program cohorts. Partnership enables provision of meals for participants and matching start-up stipends of up to $1,000. The university partnership provides institutional credibility and access to student populations for program delivery.
• Hayes-Taylor YMCAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEGN operates the Southeast Youth Chess Club (year-round program for kids aged 6-17) at Hayes-Taylor YMCA in East Greensboro. The program teaches chess rules and strategies while developing critical thinking skills and discipline.
• Guilford CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuilford County Commissioners participate through board representation (Frankie Jones, Guilford County Commissioner Dist 8). The organization serves as lead agent in implementing City-adopted neighborhood plans including Jonesboro Scott Park and Heath Neighborhood Plans developed to address growth and reinvestment needs.
• Salvation Army, YMCA, Wellspring Retirement CommunityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEGN President Mac Sims serves on advisory boards and boards of directors for these local organizations, creating cross-organizational connections for community benefit.
• Triad Black Faith Leaders & Black Farmers NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to support the Juneteenth Triad Farmers Market, highlighting food insecurities and eradicating local food deserts. Farmers from North Carolina and Virginia participated as vendors.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Grameen America: Grameen America provides microfinance and entrepreneurship training to low-income entrepreneurs, with a strong focus on women and minority business owners. It is comparable to EGN in serving minority entrepreneurs with capital access and training, though its model is lending-led.
• EforAll: EforAll runs cohort-based Entrepreneurship Incubators and pitch contests targeting underserved entrepreneurs in mid-size U.S. cities. It directly mirrors EGN's REAL Entrepreneurship 10-week cohort structure and minority/SMB focus.
• SCORE: SCORE provides free business mentoring, workshops, and educational resources to entrepreneurs nationwide. It is the most direct peer to East Greensboro NOW's REAL Entrepreneurship Program and free business plan reviews, matching the cohort-style training and SMB target customer.
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDC): The SBA's SBDC network delivers free business consulting, training, and business plan assistance to entrepreneurs via state-funded centers. It mirrors EGN's core value proposition of cohort-based training and free plan reviews, and competes for the same minority entrepreneurs.
• Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Centers: MBDA operates Business Centers providing minority entrepreneurs with consulting, training, and access to capital and contracts. Its Minority Business Opportunity Fair parallels EGN's networking events, and the target customer base is nearly identical.

Broad incumbents

• National Black Chamber of Commerce: The National Black Chamber of Commerce advocates for and supports Black-owned businesses through training, networking, and contracting opportunities. It overlaps with EGN's minority entrepreneurship mission at a national scale.
• National Urban League: The National Urban League delivers entrepreneurship programs, workforce development, and community revitalization through local affiliates. It overlaps with EGN's minority entrepreneurship and community development mission at greater geographic scale.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): LISC is a national non-profit CDFI supporting CDCs with financing and capacity-building for community development, affordable housing, and economic opportunity. It is a broader incumbent that both funds and competes with place-based CDCs like EGN.

Regional players

• Self-Help Credit Union: Self-Help is a North Carolina-based CDFI offering lending and financial services to underserved communities, including minority entrepreneurs. It is a regional peer in supporting the same East Greensboro-adjacent population through capital rather than training.

Emerging players

• Center for Black Entrepreneurship: The Center for Black Entrepreneurship, a partnership between HBCUs and community organizations, focuses on training, mentorship, and capital access for Black founders. It is a newer entrant targeting an overlapping audience and mission as EGN.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/eastgsonow
• Facebookfacebook.com/EastGreensboroNOW
• Instagraminstagram.com/eastgsonow
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/east-greensboro-now

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about East Greensboro NOW