02 JUN 2014

Michael R. Bloomberg Joins 10,000 Small Businesses Advisory Council As Co-Chair

Lloyd Blankfein and Michael R. Bloomberg participate in event designed to connect 10,000 Small Businesses graduates with opportunities for continued coaching and guidance

Goldman Sachs announced that Michael R. Bloomberg, Bloomberg L.P. founder, philanthropist and Mayor of New York from 2002-2013, has joined Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO Lloyd Blankfein, Warren Buffett and Dr. Michael Porter as a co-chair of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Advisory Council. The Council assists in the development, execution and evaluation of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, which aims to help propel small businesses forward.

On June 3rd, Lloyd Blankfein and Michael R. Bloomberg participated in a coaching session at Bloomberg L.P. designed to help accelerate the business growth of 10,000 Small Businesses alumni by leveraging the professional expertise of Bloomberg L.P. and Goldman Sachs employees. The event will connect 10,000 Small Businesses graduates with opportunities for continued coaching and guidance from experts in the fields of human resources, finance, operations, marketing, strategy and IT.

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is a $500 million program that will unlock the growth and job-creation potential of 10,000 small businesses across the United States through greater access to business education, financial capital and business support services. The program is active in urban and rural communities across the United States. Sites include Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia and Salt Lake City. Access to capital is also available in parts of seven states: Kentucky, Maine, Montana, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington. 

A report released in February by lead 10,000 Small Businesses academic partner Babson College found that just six months after graduating 64% of participants have reported increasing their revenues, 45% of participants have reported creating net new jobs and 80% of participants have worked or are working together with other program participants.  The program maintains a 99% graduate rate.

Read the press release