🌱 The $500 Business Challenge – Open Lab Series

​Every Third Tuesday | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

​Can you start a real business with just $500? Yes—and we’ll help you prove it.

​This hands-on monthly lab is for aspiring entrepreneurs, creatives, and side hustlers who want to build a real business that solves problems in areas like climate and clean energy, access to healthy food, mental health and wellness, education, transportation, affordable services, or community safety.

​Whether you care about the environment, your neighborhood, or making life better for others, this lab helps you turn that into a business you can start with just $500.

​We’re not here for the quick hustle. We’re here to build businesses that last.

​💡 What to Expect:

• ​📄 Business idea prompts, budget planning, and paper prototyping

• ​🧠 On-site mentors to guide you step-by-step

• ​🛠 Canva templates and startup tools you can use right away

• ​✨ A creative space to sketch, test, and validate your idea

​By the end of the night, you’ll hopefully leave with a solid idea, a rough plan, and clear next steps to start building your business, with support along the way.

​🏆 3 Participants Will Win:

• ​First Place - 💰 $500 Seed Award

  • ​Funds deposited into a partner bank account to help launch your business, with a simple use-of-funds plan.

• ​Second Place - 🧠 Mentorship Award

  • ​One-on-one guidance from experienced mentors until the next ThriveXcelerator cohort begins.

• ​Third Place - 🪪 Founder Spotlight Award

  • ​Public recognition on our Founder Spotlight Wall at Emerge and Rise, plus a feature on our social media and newsletter.

​All three winners are fast-tracked into the ThriveXcelerator, our 18-week growth program.