We are pleased to announce that we have received funding to support 10 local businesses this summer through the U-Imagine Center’s Digital Spark program. Digital Spark partners college students with businesses for 8 weeks in the summer to provide digital media services. This year we are hoping to provide hybrid services, with students working 2 days remotely and 2 days on-site, should circumstances permit. We would be grateful if you could circulate this information through your business network and encourage businesses to apply. This program has provided support to 72 businesses in our community over the last 6 years. Applications are now being accepted now. Here is the application link. This program is fully funded and free of charge to the businesses.
Thank you in advance for your support:
Message from the U-Imagine Center for Integrative and Entrepreneurial Studies as Ursinus College:
Hello from Ursinus,
The U-Imagine Center for Integrative and Entrepreneurial Studies has been supporting local startups and small businesses for the last five summers through its Digital Spark program. The program pays stipends for students to provide digital marketing support to 10 select businesses for 8 weeks during the summer, free of charge. We are pleased to announce that a generous donor has granted funding for this program, again this summer.
Digital Spark was initially designed to help support business growth. There is no greater need than at this time to help the business community. We know that this is not without challenges at the moment. We understand that the COVID-19 has heavily impacted local businesses. Our team believes that this program can play a minor role in helping the local economic recovery. In the past, our students worked on site with their local business partners. Our plan is to transition Digital Spark to a hybrid program, with students working all remotely or partially remotely and partially in-person under the supervision and guidance of the businesses that they are supporting. Please note that this could change as circumstances are evolving on a daily basis. We have every reason to believe that we will be able to successfully provide a hybrid program.
We know that owners have been terribly impacted pandemic and we are optimistic as things start to open up. The program does require time, but does not cost anything. Students require guidance, supervision and mentorship during the project.
Student assistance is provided for projects geared towards digital marketing and that can reasonably be completed in 8 weeks. Areas of need that could be supported include, but are not limited to:
Marketing/Communications
Promotions for a launch or a new product initiative
Development of a Social Media presence
Competitive Analysis/Market Research
Internal/External Surveys and Analysis
Data Collection and Organization
Details are included in the application and can be found here. I would be grateful if you could share this information with your members. Due to the funding just being awarded for this summer, time is of the essence for business selection. I would be grateful for any personal encouragement that you could offer for businesses to apply.
Thank you so much for this opportunity to play a part in supporting your members.
Best Regards,
Maureen Cumpstone
Entrepreneur-in-Residence
U-Imagine Center for Integrative and Entrepreneurial Studies
Cell: 215-680-6623
