BUILD Fort Wayne
BUILD has helped aspiring entrepreneurs develop business plans, connect with mentors and industry professionals, and build a network of support that continues long after graduation. We are incredibly grateful for the partnership with BUILD Institute and proud of every entrepreneur who has completed the program. Our BUILD graduates are an important part of Fort Wayne’s entrepreneurial community.
One of the most important lessons BUILD teaches is that a business plan is not static, it evolves. As businesses evolve, pivot, and scale, their plans must adapt to reflect new opportunities and challenges. The same is true for strong programs. Great programs know when it is time to refine, mature, and take the next step.
Participants in the BUILD Fort Wayne Program will explore:
- Industry-specific insights and expert guidance
- Digital marketing strategies and brand differentiation
- Financial planning and operational strategy
- Leadership development for business owners
- Discovering and defining the deeper “why” behind their business
- Develop a complete, finance-ready business plan prepared for funding applications and successful business execution.
Interested participants may fill out a Registration Application for the Cohort that best suits their needs and schedule. Applicants are encouraged to submit their registration form one week prior to the start of class.
Holiday Hustle Vendor Guidelines
Shop Local. Support Local. Celebrate Local.
Holiday Hustle is a collaborative holiday shopping event presented by SEED Fort Wayne and the Fort Wayne Urban League. Our goal is to bring together emerging, local, and established businesses while creating an exciting opportunity for the Fort Wayne community to shop local and find unique gifts for the holiday season. Holiday Hustle will feature a carefully selected group of local vendors offering quality products, gifts, and experiences for our community. Application deadline is October 31, 2026.
Vendor Categories
We are currently seeking vendors in the following industries:
- Fashion & Apparel
- Jewelry & Accessories
- Art & Creative Goods
- Beauty & Personal Care
- Home Goods & Décor
- Food & Culinary Products
- Children's Products
- Books, Specialty & Personalized Products
- Health & Wellness
Vendor Availability
Only 20 vendor spaces are available. Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance into Holiday Hustle. All applications will be reviewed, and selected vendors will be contacted directly with additional event details and participation instructions.
Vendor Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for Holiday Hustle, vendors must:
- Operate an established business that is properly registered with the State of Indiana.
- Have a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN).
- Proof of business insurance
- Hold all licenses, permits, certifications, and/or approvals required by the State of Indiana or applicable local authorities for the products being sold.
- Meet all applicable health, safety, food-handling, labeling, and other regulatory requirements associated with their products.
- Complete and submit the Holiday Hustle Vendor Application in its entirety.
- Provide requested documentation verifying business registration, licensing, permits, or other eligibility requirements, if requested.
Please note: Vendors selling regulated products including, but not limited to, food, beauty, hair, personal care, or wellness products are responsible for ensuring that their business and products meet all applicable licensing, permitting, health, safety, and regulatory requirements.
Vendor Stipend & Sales
Each selected vendor who participates in the event will receive a $250 vendor stipend. In addition to the stipend, vendors will retain the proceeds from their individual sales made during Holiday Hustle. Vendors are responsible for managing their own sales transactions, payment processing, applicable taxes, inventory, and other business-related responsibilities unless otherwise communicated by event organizers.
Application & Selection Process
All interested businesses must complete the Holiday Hustle Vendor Application. Once applications have been reviewed, selected vendors will be contacted directly by the Holiday Hustle team with their acceptance notification and further instructions regarding event participation. Because space is limited to 20 vendors, we strongly encourage interested businesses to submit a complete and accurate application. Incomplete applications or businesses that do not meet the eligibility requirements may not be considered.
Important Reminder
Application does not guarantee acceptance. Holiday Hustle is committed to creating a diverse, professional, and engaging shopping experience for our Fort Wayne community. Vendor selections may consider eligibility, product quality, business readiness, category diversity, available space, and overall alignment with the event. We look forward to celebrating entrepreneurship, supporting local businesses, and bringing our community together for a memorable holiday shopping experience!
Welcome to Build Fort Wayne!
We’re excited to support you as you grow your business idea into reality. To help us best serve you, please complete the intake questions in this registration application.
Your Commitment: As a participant, you’ll receive all course materials. To successfully complete the program, you must:
- All 8 classes (16 hours total) and complete all homework assignments
- Submit the pre-, mid-, post-, and follow-up surveys
- Complete and submit your business plan for review
These surveys help us secure funding from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and provide better resources to entrepreneurs like you.
Our Commitment: We’re building a respectful, inclusive, and connected learning environment. Please engage with facilitators, staff, and fellow participants professionally. For everyone’s safety, all program interactions must happen virtually or in public spaces.
Questions? Visit our Website or contact us at SEEDfw@CityofFortWayne.org | (260) 422-2304.
Note: Be sure to create an account before completing your intake form.
Note: An account must be created before you can complete your intake form and move to the next step.
The BUILD Fort Wayne for Small-Scale Developers & Builders is a 12-week comprehensive course that provides a strong foundation in real estate development, focusing on single-family and multi-family housing on infill lots. Through interactive lectures, group activities and hands on experience, participants will explore key stages of development, including financial modeling, zoning, permitting, and construction management. By the end of the course, participants will have a completed business plan and be equipped to manage budgets, financial plans, and the complexities of real estate financing and marketing.
Congratulations on joining the BUILD Fort Wayne for Small Developers & Builders!
Please respond to the following questions to help us provide the necessary support to transform your business idea into a reality and advance to the next stage.
BUILD Fort Wayne Commitment: Participants will receive all course materials. Program participants and graduates are required to partake in all follow-up surveys. These surveys are critical for our reporting to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), which supports funding for this program. Furthermore, they enable SEED to offer valuable information and additional resources to the entrepreneurial community.
Successful completion of the Small-Scale Developer Program includes:
- Submission of the pre-, mid-, and post-class surveys, along with any additional follow-up surveys.
- Attendance all 12 classes, encompassing a total of 36 education hours.
- Completion and submission of your Business Plan for evaluation on subsequent steps.
Commitment from all parties involved: The success of participants hinges on community building, inclusion, and connection building. Therefore, interactions with SEED facilitators, participants, guest speakers, and staff must be conducted with respect, understanding, and appreciation. This approach ensures that everyone has the maximum opportunity to build a robust community and forge lasting connections for future success. For the safety of all parties, interactions between the class, facilitators, staff, and Build participants must occur virtually or in a public setting.
Program Incentives:
Successful completion of the BUILD Fort Wayne for Small-Scale Developer and Builders, you may become eligible to receive the benefit of free/ lower rate City-owned property designated for infill housing. These lots could have preapproved variances and setback, completed soil testing, and utility connection assistance. Additionally, financing assistance may be available for construction loans.
Please note that these incentives are contingent upon participant eligibility and are not guaranteed.
For further information, please contact us at SEEDfw@cityoffortwayne.org with any questions.
¡Bienvenido al Programa de Educación para Emprendedores Build!
Nos complace apoyarte mientras conviertes tu idea de negocio en realidad. Para brindarte un mejor servicio, completa las preguntas iniciales en esta solicitud de registro.
Tu compromiso:
Como participante, recibirás una carpeta de SEED Build con todos los materiales del curso. Para completar el programa con éxito, debes:
- Asistir al menos a 8 clases (24 horas en total).
- Enviar las encuestas previas, intermedias, posteriores y de seguimiento.
- Completar y enviar tu plan de negocios para su revisión.
Estas encuestas nos ayudan a obtener fondos de la Corporación de Desarrollo Económico de Indiana y a brindar mejores recursos a emprendedores como tú.
Nuestro compromiso:
Estamos construyendo un entorno de aprendizaje respetuoso, inclusivo y conectado. Por favor, interactúa con los facilitadores, el personal y los demás participantes de forma profesional. Para la seguridad de todos, todas las interacciones del programa deben realizarse virtualmente o en espacios públicos.
¿Preguntas? Visita el sitio web del Programa Build o contáctanos en SEEDfw@CityofFortWayne.org | (260) 422-2304.
Nota: Asegúrese de crear una cuenta antes de completar el formulario de admisión.