The Evolve Small initiative has arrived and is brimming with grants, contests, mentoring opportunity, celebrity endorsement and so much more!
But where to start? What to explore first? We've got you covered there with a special giveaway!! Dive into this Community-Exclusive Evolve Small ThinkBook Giveaway as you explore the unique and resourceful Evolve Small initative.
Evolve Small Giveaway: ThinkBook 14s - x3!
Are you having verification issues submitting any of your entries? Scroll to the bottom of this post for more information.
About the Prizes & Evolve Small
3x - ThinkBook 15 Gen 4 (15” AMD) Laptop
-
Processor : AMD Ryzen™ 7 5825U Processor (2.00 GHz up to 4.50 GHz)
-
Operating System : Windows 11 Pro 64
-
Graphics : Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics
-
Memory : 16 GB DDR4-3200MHz - (8 GB Soldered + 8 GB SODIMM)
-
Storage : 512 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe Gen3 TLC
-
Display : 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080), IPS, Anti-Glare, Touch, 45%NTSC, 300 nits, LED Backlight, Narrow Bezel
-
Camera : 1080P FHD with Dual array digital Microphone and ThinkShutter
-
Fingerprint Reader : Fingerprint Reader
-
Keyboard : Backlit, Iron Grey - English (US)
-
WLAN : Wi-Fi 6 2x2 AX & Bluetooth® 5.1 or above
-
Warranty : One Year Premier
Brought to you by Evolve Small & Microsoft. Learn more about Microsoft here.
What is Evolve Small?
In 2021, Lenovo launched the Evolve Small Initiative, based on the belief that small businesses are the heart of North America. With the help of partners across the United States and Canada, Lenovo has led a rallied effort to provide financial aid, mentorship resources, and community support to minority and woman-owned small businesses as they recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because we know that when they thrive, we all thrive.
But we're not done. We saw the true impact these resources can have for small businesses, and are expanding Evolve Small to be bigger and better. With the help of AMD and Microsoft, we're partnering with Queen Latifah, Goodie Nation, the Carolina Panthers, local organizations, and more - all to make sure YOU have the right tools to be successful. Read the kick-off article here
There are 3 main parts of this exciting initiative.
1. The Contest:
3 grand prize winners will each receive a mentorship package including $30,000 cash, $10,000 of new tech powered by Windows 11 Pro, and a mentorship session with Queen Latifah.
How to enter:
- Create a 1-2 minute video telling us how your business makes a positive impact on the community and how you'll use the grant and technology.
- Upload your video.
- Click Continue to complete the entry form.
- Click Submit.
A panel of judges will select finalists based on your submission and the Top 7 finalists will move on to a public vote. View the Official Contest Rules for all requirements.
Submissions are open until 11/15 at 8:59 PM ET and then the Online Vote will open to the public on 12/19 at 12:00 PM ET and run through 1/16 at 8:59 PM ET.
2. The Grant
Lenovo and AMD believe that small businesses are the heart of North America. In an effort to expand economic opportunity and equity, the Lenovo Evolve Small initiative will be providing $10,000 grants and professional development to minority and woman-owned small businesses in the United States and Canada, through Goodie Nation. This grant with provide small businesses not only with capital to support economic growth, but also with coaching, networking, and partnership to help grant recipients thrive.
In addition to the cash grant, each of the selected businesses will also receive a Lenovo ThinkBook, powered by AMD. All you have to do to get started is apply below.
Criteria for Selection
- Founder/majority business owner must identify as one of the following groups: Black/African, Latinx, Women, Indigenous, Native-American or other underrepresented groups
- Business must have either a physical location as part of the core business offering (ex. Bed & Breakfast, restaurant, etc.) OR produce a physical product.
- Revenue over the previous 12 months must be between $100,000 - $3,000,000
- Must not have raised more than $3,000,000 in investment capital
- Company must be a registered LLC, C Corporation, S Corporation, or similar Canadian company structure in the United States of America or Canada.
Applications will be accepted from October 13, 2022 through December 16, 2022 and will be awarded in early 2023.
3. The Endorsement: Custom Video Ad Promotion by Queen Latifah
Interested in promoting your business but don't have the steps set-up to get a celebrity endorsement? Look no further than this unique opportunity to have the Award-Winning Actress, Producer, Recording Artist, Label President and Entrepreneur known as Queen Latifah to promote your business.
Get your custom video ad made in 3 simple and easy steps:
- Search for your business name
- Upload your business logo
- Watch and share your custom commercial
Still curious about how it'll work? Watch the video below to learn more.
Verification issues submitting any of your entries:
Due to the fraud detection process in Gleam, this can happen when a user is entering from an IP or location that has been previously flagged for unwanted online behavior. You may be prompted to verify yourself via Google or social media, as this is the quickest way to check if you are YOU! Otherwise, we suggest the following, that you:
- Not enter the giveaway from a shared location like a school, workplace, hotel or library
- Turn off a VPN if you have one enabled (as these are commonly used for fraud)
- Login to the giveaway via a secure connection rather than cellular data
- Restart your connection (as some ISPs will recycle IP addresses)
If you continued to experience issues, please use the technical support contact form with Gleam to get the best support and let Beth, your CM, know.
Still have questions? Drop them in the comments below, ask me (yours truly CM), or the community.
What do you think about Evolve Small? Are you excited to participate? Leave your thoughts in the comments below and have fun entering the Evolve Small ThinkBook Giveaway!