Each ACE will have the option to choose one of three funding path options where cash is awarded upon completion of activations that best matches their goals. Participants will also have access to:

• City-funded staffing subsidy programs*

• Eligibility ACE’s that sign 1 year+ leases are eligible to participate in the SOMA Business Accelerator which provides $4K worth of Custom Professional Services

• Eligibility for OEWD’s other Small Business grant programs ($5k - $15k)

• First-to-know about additional grant funding

*Staffing subsidies available for SF-based potential employee talent base that meet program requirements.

We step away from the solitary experience of being independent, and immerse in a community of inspirational “coworkers.” We intentionally activate as a cohort so no one is a first and only. We stay in touch digitally for async support and encouragement. And participants receive invitations to exclusive ACE community events for casual collisions to promote collaboration and creativity, such as:

• Co-working days

• Creative ideation & feedback sessions

• Monthly ACE cohort community gatherings

• Fireside chats with industry leaders

We promote the experience of the new wave of independent work that centers collaboration, creativity, taking risks, embracing failure, healing as we go, and moving at your own desired and defined pace. We also promote exclusive events designed to encourage play and rest into our work practices.

Receive dedicated 1:1 health-driven Business Coaching sessions to help participants set goals and stay accountable. Their Business Coach will also help scope when it’s time to get additional hands-on help, facilitate introductions to Business Technical Experts (i.e. Lawyers, HR, Marketers), and coach through the onboarding and oversight of this partnered work.

ACEs get connected with Business Technical Experts and service providers to receive real, hands-on support. Our network of experts and providers are vetted to work in a style that feels like they are a part of their team, sitting with individuals in the details. They receive help on things like:

• Developing your “why” purpose statement

• Generating an updated business plan using the Lead Business Plan model

• Breaking through entrepreneurship mindset blocks, especially inherited limiting beliefs

• Forecasting and budgeting

• Customer and marketing planning

• Product R&D and quality testing

• General business operations from permitting to staffing

• Technical assistance with systems setup and management

• Lease design and negotiations

We match each participant with a minimum of 3 activation opportunities curated just for each individual, in coveted vacant spaces within the SOMA Pilipinas Cultural District.

We care deeply about uplifting a generation of entrepreneurship and creative independence culture that inspires others to be the change they wish to see in the world. We are running multiple storytelling efforts and campaigns to uplift each ACE’s story and ACEs have access to all content for their own uses.

We’re partnering with landlords, real estate developers and other community stakeholders to open up a variety of spaces for artist concepts and businesses to jump-start the development of the SOMA Pilipinas’ commercial corridor. Up to 3 months free rent, tailored to each participant’s growth goals.

We’ve partnered with Trellis, where participating ACEs will have access to 3 months of free membership. We use this space for our cohort coworking sessions and other gatherings to support the cohort’s weekly workflow.