Eric Franklin, CEO of ERIMAX Inc., Partners with the SBDC to Launch the Eric Franklin Entrepreneurial Accelerator

Upper Marlboro, MD – Eric Franklin, CEO of ERIMAX, Inc., entrepreneur, author, and angel investor has partnered with the Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of Maryland, to launch a platform for entrepreneurial development and training called the Franklin Entrepreneurial Accelerator.

The Eric Franklin Entrepreneurial Accelerator (EFEA) will initially focus on business growth and strategic planning. It is a curriculum for C-level executives and entrepreneurs who want to fast-track their companies’ growth, sharpen their critical-thinking skills to successfully compete, and to take their businesses to the next level. Participants will choose their highest priorities and with the help of SBDC facilitators, will develop their own strategic plan.

“Over the years the Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has identified implementation and critical-thinking as the key areas where businesses fall short,” said Ellen Flowers-Fields, SBDC Southern Region Director. “The Eric Franklin Entrepreneurial Accelerator was founded to effectively address those factors and will extend our current SBDC entrepreneur programs as complete entrepreneur life-cycle platforms where growing businesses in Southern Maryland can thrive economically, for enduring success,” Flowers-Fields added.

“The SBDC has demonstrated expertise in assisting many businesses over the years to start successful companies. For these businesses to thrive, private industry and government must encourage adaptation and growth. The accelerator will measure its success by the growth and development of each company that utilized its programs,” said Eric Franklin.

“I am proud to be in the forefront of a new private industry initiative in Maryland that is committed to help growing businesses prosper. With the success of EFEA, we will connect our businesses in Southern Maryland to other entrepreneurial ecosystems and resources across the state and nation. I welcome and invite other businesses that are vested in developing and maintaining a strong business base in the community to invest in our communities by helping us support emerging businesses.” stated Franklin.

The pilot entrepreneur program will launch January of 2015. Interested businesses may obtain more information or apply at: http://www.marylandsbdc.org

About Eric Franklin

Eric Franklin is the President and CEO of ERIMAX, Inc. an information technology and acquisition management company headquartered in Maryland that provides services to more than 20 Federal agencies in nine states across the nation. Franklin has a long history of advocating for small, women-owned, and minority businesses. He is a past recipient of the Leading Edge CEO of the Year Award and was named as Maryland Minority Small Business Champion of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. He is also the author of, “Peanut Butter Principles: 47 Leadership Lessons Every Parent Should Teach Their Kids”.

About SBDC

The SBDC is a partnership that links private enterprise, government, higher education, and local economic development organizations to provide high-quality training, confidential consulting and market and industry research to small businesses in all stages of development. Founded in 1989, the SBDC provides assistance to more than 10,000 entrepreneurs each year through a combination of consulting, training, and outreach events.

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