Have you
seen this in your neighborhood or experienced it yourself?
- Unreliable, high speed internet
- Lack of tech devices
- Limited digital skills
- Inequitable access to tech jobs
- Hindered access to online services
- Unequal access to e-commerce opportunities
The Vision Lab is a new initiative run by the City of L.A. to address the inequities of the digital divide.
We run a 10-week business idea accelerator and host free educational events.
The Vision Lab is a new initiative run by the City of L.A. to address the inequities of the digital divide.
We run a 10-week business idea accelerator and host free educational events.
Are you
A Budding Entrepreneur
A Change Maker
A Community Builder
Are you
A Budding Entrepreneur
A Change Maker
A Community Builder
in South Los Angeles?
in South Los Angeles?
We need your unique
Voice Vision Ideas Wisdom
To Make a Real Impact
Why Apply?
- Develop Your Idea Into a Business
- Connect with Tech Mentors and Peers
- Get Free Access to Online Business Tools and Services
- Collaborate with Change Makers
- Develop and Polish Your Business Pitch
- Understand and Access Funding Opportunities
Your Impact is Substantial
Your business idea can change and shift your community.
Products
Design or manufacture a product
Services
Apply technology to solve a challenge
Training
Empower people around a skill
Gig Economy
Enable people to participate
E-commerce
Help people buy and sell online
Upcycle
Repurpose existing items
Gamification
Encourage participation
Metaverse
Join the future
We're Eager to Hear From You
We’re Accepting Applications For Another
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
Apply by Monday, March 27, 2023.
Can’t make it this time? We will be offering additional dates and locations in the future. To be notified of details, send us a note.
How's It Work?
?
The enrollment period for our third cohort (Fall 2023) is now open. We will also be offering additional dates and locations. To be notified of details, send us a note.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- 18 years or over
- Live in or have a business that impacts South L.A.
- Your idea MUST address the Digital Divide
The Vision Lab is focused on addressing the digital divide. We are looking for solutions that do one or more of the following:
- Increase access to affordable tech devices
- Help build technology-related skills
- Provide training for tech careers
- Improve access to online services
- Increase access to e-commerce opportunities
- Enable participation in the digital economy.
- Provide reliable, high speed internet
No. We can connect you with programs that will allow you to borrow devices. Learn more at https://lapl.org/tech2go.
No. We accept participants at any stage of their entrepreneurial journey. We will provide training and resources to help you move forward.
We will meet Wednesday evenings from 5-9 pm and occasional weekends for 2-3 hours. The program dates are still being determined. We anticipate it will begin in early Fall 2023.
Who's With Us?
We are partnering with industry leaders
The Vision Lab is led by the City of Los Angeles’ commitment to closing the digital divide, in coordination with the Economic and Workforce Development Department and the Bureau of Street Lighting.
Why does the
Digital Divide
matter so much?
The digital divide – the gap between those who have opportunities to access and benefit from the internet and those that do not – has been a growing issue in the Los Angeles region with deep disparities between communities foregrounded by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Connectivity has become a necessity, rather than a luxury, in daily life and has become foundational for access to economic, workforce, and educational opportunities, as well as health, social and civic engagement outcomes.
The digital divide has exacerbated the disparities in impacted communities’ access to opportunities in the tech workforce, as well as to the resources for new businesses to thrive in a digital ecosystem.
Both the public and private sectors have prioritized digitizing and putting online their respective services or operations (for example, educational, healthcare and retail operations now rely considerably on digital services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic), which in turn requires residents and business owners to access services online or in a touchless capacity, and have an understanding of how to productively interact in a digital ecosystem.
Where?
We are starting in South Los Angeles.
In-person meetings will be held in Leimert Park.
4401 Crenshaw Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90043
- South L.A.
- Leimert Park
- Brotherhood Crusade
"Now is the time to
build your
impactful business,
gain momentum and
be the change
in your community."
Have a
Question?
Leave your details and we will contact you!