ReEntry Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (REDi), an anchor program of the Indy Chamber's Entrepreneur Services division, creates opportunities for current and formerly incarcerated individuals to explore small business ownership as a means of self-sufficiency. For the first time since the program's inception in 2016, the pitch contest will feature "All-Stars." Five graduates will present their businesses to a live audience and a panel of judges on November 17. REDi's goal is to help reduce the number of people returning to prison by providing technical business training and education to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals.

"Everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed, and we feel like the REDi program helps set people up for success," said Neil Metzger, REDi Program Manager. "We're excited to highlight our All-Star graduates from the program who have taken all training and coursework to the next level."

REDi provides a five-week training course and one on one coaching for justice-involved individuals. It has helped launch 35 businesses. The training course is a foundational course that teaches things like cash flow, market research, and customer relations. REDi is a program of the Business Ownership Initiative (BOI) that provides over 10,000 hours of business coaching and over $400,000 in lending capital across the Indianapolis region each year.

BOI, powered by the Indy Chamber, is committed to advancing inclusive entrepreneurship. REDi operates within the BOI ecosystem to serve justice-involved individuals who want to start their own businesses.

"BOI is growing a diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Indy region," said Rick Proctor, BOI Executive Director. "The REDi Program perfectly aligns with our mission to provide financing and access to business support to advantage thousands of disadvantaged entrepreneurs. We're excited to feature five of the graduates and their small business success."

The All-Star pitch night will be on Wednesday, Nov. 17, at the Speak Easy in Broad Ripple. To find out more about the event or register to attend, visit IndyChamber.com/Events.