FIELD Scale Academy: ACEnet

ACEnet

Scale-up Strategy:

Three core strategies Using ACEnet brands to attract additional clients and accelerate the scale-up of the organization.
As entrepreneurs see the success of the brands (e.g., significant product placement in local grocery stores), this attracts them to the organization.
Using innovative technology solutions and mobility to expand geographic reach.
Use mobile lab to offer trainings in underserved counties. Develop on-line curriculum for art and artisan enterprises, based on existing curriculum for specialty foods producers.
Increasing self-generating revenue streams through fees for services.
Improving collection cycles for incubator fees. Increasing brokering revenues from participation in ACEnet brands. Building other revenue streams, particularly individual charitable contributions and strategic partnerships with local organizations (educational and economic development/tourism).
ACENet Progress Update as of May 2008: ACENet made progress on all three of its scale-up strategies: Attract new clients via ACENet brands:
Increased the number of Art of Ohio clients from 32 in 2007 to 87 in 2008. Seventy-seven new clients are participating in the Food We Love program. Expanded Art of Ohio marketing efforts by hosting gallery openings and sales events, and by producing an on-line artists directory. Developed new and deepened existing access to market partnerships for artisan and food sectors. Also, revamped Food We Love marketing program and expanded to statewide distribution through new partnerships.
Using technology to expand geographic reach:
Implemented new telephone and Internet systems to improve communications between staff and clients. In the process of developing an art curriculum that will be added to the expanding on-line curricula in both the art and food sectors. Purchased and deployed a mobile laptop training lab in multiple counties.
Increasing earned income:
Implemented new fee structure for Art of Ohio project as part of larger earned income strategy. Launched a development campaign, “ACEnet 2010.” Completed renovation of Nelsonville Incubator facility, and achieved 60 percent occupancy rate as of February 2008.
Background: Early field leader in the adoption of sectoral access to market strategies and the regional flavor concept

Core Microenterprise Services:

Training and technical assistance
Business incubation and infrastructure development
Access to capital
Capacity building through product innovation, brand development and technology

Highlights:

Food We Love brand, marketing and distribution system includes about 40 clients in the food sector.
Recently launched Art of brand and Web site for artisans and specialty food producers; 74 clients currently participate.
Developed on-line curriculum for food sector; modules are used in tandem with one-on-one technical assistance.
EBay techquity awards program is being used to reach more deeply into rural communities.

Current Scale:	Scale Projections:
FY2006: 522 clients across five sectors	FY2008: 1,025 clients
FY2007: 638 clients	FY2009: 1,255 clients
	FY2010: 1,500 clients

Learning Questions:
Revenue generation: What is the best way to price products and services, particularly for on-line curricula and assistance? What is the best way to determine what the market will bear?

Fund-raising: How should we approach individual fund-raising, particularly when we've already reached a "scale" and level of success that is quite large relative to other local organizations?

Data collection: How do we use our data collection efforts to effectively communicate value?

Public policy: How do we finance our engagement in public policy - around issues such as financial literacy, which we see as key to our work?