Program Updates
Goldman Sachs10,000 Small Businesses
Celebrating 15 Years of Impact!
ICIC proudly serves as the national outreach and recruitment partner for Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, a role we have held since the program’s launch. 2025 marked the 15th anniversary of this innovative initiative, which has helped entrepreneurs accelerate growth, create jobs, and strengthen resilience.
The 12-week program, offered at no cost to participants, delivers best-in-class business education, one-on-one advising, and a powerful national peer network. Partner colleges across the U.S. deliver a curriculum developed with Babson College, equipping business owners with practical skills in financial statements, marketing, and negotiations while guiding them to create actionable growth plans. The program also connects participants to mission-driven lenders and CDFIs to expand access to capital.
To date, 10,000 Small Businesses has served more than 17,000 businesses in all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Within 30 months of graduation, 75 percent of alumni grow revenue and more than half create new jobs. Collectively, graduates have contributed an estimated $27 billion and 149,000 jobs to the U.S. economy.
Explore more of 10,000 Small Businesses’ impact:
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses 15 Year Impact Report »
Impact snapshot: 10,000 Small Businesses
Program Achievements Since 2009
Key Outcome
17,000
program graduates empowered with confidence and critical business skills from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and four U.S. territories.
10,000 Small Businesses alumni are driving measurable growth and job creation.
327K+
People employed by graduates
$29B+
Graduates’ total annual revenue
75%
Of alumni grow their annual revenue within 30 months of graduating
Alumni Spotlight
“I joined 10,000 Small Businesses to grow purposefully and lead with intention. This transformative experience equipped me with tools in finance, marketing, and operations while surrounding me with a vibrant community of peers. It ignited innovation, helping me solve complex problems creatively and efficiently to serve our customers and build a brighter future.”
FAROOQ AMEEN, President
Los Angeles, California
Innovation means doing things differently—with purpose. We didn’t just open another ice cream shop—we redefined what ice cream could be. However, I found that as a founder, it’s easy to get stuck in the weeds. 10,000 Small Businesses gave me the tools and space to think strategically about growth.
TAMARA KEEFE, CEO
St. Louis, Missouri
