The Bank of San Antonio announced Wednesday it will launch — in partnership with Texas A&M University-San Antonio — the inaugural cohort of a no-cost business training program for entrepreneurs: the STRIDE Entrepreneurship Leadership program.
The acronym stands for Strength, Tenacity, Resolve, Impact, Disruption and Empowerment. Those are the six pillars of a founder's success, Angelica Palm, senior vice president marketing director for the Bank of San Antonio, told the Business Journal.
STRIDE was the brainchild of Palm along with colleagues Market Executive Brandi Vitier and Chief Human Resources Officer Patti Wilson. Though in the works for several years with A&M-SA behind the scenes, the bank's project was slowed due to the pandemic, said Palm.
STRIDE is intended to bring more equity and capital access to entrepreneurs as well as to help companies grow by demystifying banking practices, according to Vitier. It's funded through the bank's allocated community development budget.
The free program will not be traditionally "academic," Palm said, but grounded in a real-world post-Covid business environment.
"(As a bank), we know the business challenges that keep our clients up at night, their headwinds and tailwinds," she added.
A&M-SA will offer a micro-credential for those completing the program.
The first class will be a group of 25 entrepreneurs chosen from across a variety of industries and different socioeconomic backgrounds. Anyone can apply to the first cohort via the Bank of San Antonio's program site. However, a cohort slated for next spring will focus exclusively on women entrepreneurs.
Before rolling out curriculum this fall, the Bank of San Antonio is polling local entrepreneurs to answer questions about what they wish they had known earlier in their career. These questions will enable them to better craft curriculum.
Palm said the STRIDE structure is intended to be a "purposeful program that builds on itself," one with alumni who return to network, speak, mentor and offer classes.
"One of the great things about San Antonio is that there are so many home-grown entrepreneurs in San Antonio that take pride in their growth, and they’re willing to reach around the table and help," Palm said.
The first STRIDE Entrepreneurship Leadership cohort will begin in September 2022 through A&M-SA's Henry G. Cisneros Institute for Emerging Leaders. Business management curriculum will be taught by A&M professors, as well as banking professionals and guest business leaders.
The first cohort will be focused on highlighting growth and potential on the Southside of San Antonio, a traditionally underserved community, and classes will be held at different Southside businesses.
"We are here as a San Antonio bank," Palm told the Business Journal. "We want to help grow parts of the city that are underrepresented who haven’t had that exposure. That's our mission."
Texas A&M University-San Antonio Vice President of Student Success and Engagement Dr. Mari Fuentes-Martin said the university was pleased to partner with the bank on the project, since the new program was in close alignment with the university's goals of building new equitable educational opportunities in the community.
“The result of this program will help entrepreneurs find their stride through action, tools and resources," Fuentes-Martin said.
