Empower Baltimore Program

Empower by GoDaddy is GoDaddy's global community and philanthropic program equipping entrepreneurs in underserved communities with training, tools and peer networks to accelerate their journeys. 

Impact Hub Baltimore is launching Empower by GoDaddy here in Baltimore. The goal of the program is to Improve the web presence and digital reach of Baltimore’s local businesses. 

GoDaddy has run successful programs for entrepreneurs in London and Munich in partnership with local Impact Hubs. The Impact Hub network is known worldwide for building better businesses, designing impactful solutions, and re-imagining the future. Each Hub is locally rooted and globally connected, which enables our teams to guide global and national partners to adapt their offerings to the local context. Impact Hub Baltimore places community at the center of everything we do. As hosts to the Empower program, our role is to deliver a high quality experience, and ensure that resources reach the people and places that can benefit from them the most. 

The goal of the Empower Baltimore program is to Improve the web presence and digital reach of Baltimore’s local businesses through three different learning opportunities:

Learning Cohorts: 4-week learning intensives focused on website and digital presence. Learn More

Self-guided Learning: Access to GoDaddy’s online learning platform. 

Business Learning Summits: 2-day learning intensives featuring workshops, business leader roundtable discussions, peer review sessions, public sector education & advocacy.

Microbusinesses are local enterprises with less than 10 employees.

Empower Baltimore will focus on the following audiences: 

• BIPOC, immigrant & women-owned businesses
• Neighborhood-based businesses--especially in Black & brown neighborhoods 
• Social & creative enterprises

We are looking for business-owners and entrepreneurs with the following profile: 

• Operates an existing enterprise with a clear product or service.
• At least 2 years in operation. 
• Understands the value of web presence.
• Limited website or e-commerce presence. Room to grow & learn. 
• Interest in scaling or stabilizing business by reaching new audiences 

The Empower by GoDaddy program is free. Impact Hub Baltimore will host two 4-week Learning Cohorts, each with a different application deadline. We encourage you to check back on our site frequently for updates to our program timeline. 

In order to be eligible to apply for a 2023 cohort you must complete a Persona Research learning intensive. You can register for a Persona Research learning intensive here. Only Persona Research learning intensive participants will receive access to this year's Empower program application. We recommend giving yourself 20-30 minutes to complete the application, but you can also save/pause your application if you need to step away. 

Once a business has completed the application it will be reviewed by our program committee. 

Learning Cohorts

Applicants will be notified at least two weeks prior to the start of a new cohort. 

If accepted, microbusinesses should expect to spend 3 hours per week at in-person work sessions at Impact Hub Baltimore and an additional 1-2 hours on “homework” each week to apply what they have learned. Accepted businesses are required to attend the Orientation Gathering and are encouraged to access all the bonus content in order to gain the full value of the program.

Self-Guided Learning

Applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis. ​​If accepted, microbusinesses should expect to spend 4-6 hours per week dedicated to Empower Baltimore and are encouraged to access all the bonus content in order to gain the full value of the program.

Business Learning Summits do not require an application.

Baltimore has a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem with increasing levels of collaboration across entrepreneurial support partners. Impact Hub Baltimore is coordinating with dozens of local partners to add context, character, and culture to each cohort and every event. IHB is open to working with more partners who are passionate about serving entrepreneurs in Baltimore City. 

Please contact michelle.geiss@impacthub.net for partnership opportunities.