We believe that all communities, regardless of economic status, should have the opportunity to learn, build, scale, take risks, and become catalysts for their own success.
Learn. Build. Scale.
Together with the communities we serve, we deliver programs that address economic disparities and create sustainable outcomes that strengthen entrepreneurship.
Dr. Lascelle A. Sweetland, COO and Founder of iLab Startup Foundation
"Our passion is solely to create ecosystems and environments where the lives of many can be impacted, where individuals may find empowerment and to experience a transformation that will occur through hope, technology, innovation, and training that will provide economic opportunities creating sustainable generational changes."
About the Director
As Founding Director of the iLabStartup Foundation Corporation, Dr. Lascelle Sweetland drives the vision and strategy that power the organization’s growth and impact. He provides thought leadership while ensuring operational excellence through close collaboration with the management team. To advance iLabStartup’s mission, Dr. Sweetland forges strong partnerships with regional program leaders, accelerates access to new markets and talent pools, and strengthens the organization’s technical capacity. A skilled convener and bridge-builder, he engages industry, academia, and community leaders to spark innovation, expand opportunities, and maximize iLabStartup’s regional and global impact. Recipient of the Fulbright Scholar Award through the U.S. Fulbright Seminar for International Education Administrators, conducted by the Fulbright Commission in Berlin, Germany. Dr. Sweetland holds an Ed.D. in Leadership and Management from St. Thomas University, an MBA in Energy Finance from Texas Southern University, and an MS in Environmental Policy from Purdue University Global.
PROJECTS
New York State
MWBE Business Growth
Accelerator (BGA 3.0) Program Design and Implementation
Contract Term 2024 - Present
The 18-month Program will consist of the outreach and recruitment of MWBE firms with a potential growth profile; the design and delivery of a business development curriculum to MWBE firms; and the creation and execution of a tailored “Business Growth Plan” for each firm. The Program will be supplemented by intensive mentoring, one-on-one coaching, and personalized technical assistance. Ultimately, the Incubator’s goal is to ensure that participants secure a contract as a result of their direct participation in the program. Covering New York City and Central New York (Syracuse, Utica, and Rochester)
TruFund Financial Services
The Industrial Business Leadership Program
Contract Term 2020 - 2022
Industrial Business Leadership Program is tailored to address the unique needs and opportunities of Hunts Point’s small businesses. When they are currently in the midst of adapting to change, pursuing growth or looking a head to succession, the IBLP will empower and guide leaders to create thriving and resilient businesses in the South Bronx/Hunts Point region of the Bronx. Project funding provided by TruFund Financial Services
New York State
Regional Incubator For Sustainable M/WBE Capacity Building Project
Contract Term 2022 - 2024
Expanding Certified NYS MWBEs economic vitality and generational wealth building. Provide growth-oriented M/EBE certified construction service and construction consulting firms with intensive business training and technical assistance to achieve and sustain accelerated growth. Strategies to Increase the Participation
Rates for Minority and Women Entrepreneurs.
Curriculum Development and Delivery. Covering New York City and Long Island)
Miami Dade College
Business Entrepreneurship Development Project
Contract Term 2022 - 2025
The Business Entrepreneurship Project funded by the Department of Commerce is designed to teach undergraduate students how to develop businesses and commercialize products and services in the domestic and global marketplace and lay the foundation for a future generation of entrepreneurial leaders and innovators that will help strengthen U.S. Global competitiveness, job creation, and the overall U.S. economy.
Tasked to promote entrepreneurship, general economic development, and innovation at the undergraduate level.
Urban League of Broward County
Entrepreneurship Center Ubiz Co -Lab
Contract Term 2020 - 2022
The Urban League of Broward County, in partnership with SunTrust and MasterCard launched of the UBIZ Co- Lab, a initiative designed to stimulate sustainable small business growth in targeted economically challenged communities. This initiative aimed to provide minority-owned businesses premium business development services to increase revenue and position them to scale. The initiative was designed to stimulate sustainable small business growth. Increase revenue and position them to scale.
Florida Atlantic University and SBDC Entrepreneurship/
Small Business Success Initiative
Contract Term 2021 - 2022
The Small Business Success Initiative provides four (4) initiatives helping business start, grow, and succeed in the groups of individuals or businesses, we currently serve.
Focusing on the four (4) initiatives, with a minimum of ten (10) participants each, to assist Broward and Palm Beach residents who desire to start up a small business or accelerate the growth of an existing businesses.
Let's Make A Change
It doesn’t cost anything to be a member, but when you donate, you help us take on more winning campaigns, launch more strategic initiatives, develop entrepreneurship programming, and go after opportunities to make a difference in growing our startup ecosystem.
Join our efforts as we bring the Startup Ecosystem together to build a collaborative, inclusive, and value-adding ecosystem of gravity with a strong focus on what it will take to make South Florida a true regional hub for entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic development.
iLabStartup Foundation
