PIN Regional Leaders Program
Program Overview
The PIN Regional Leaders Program (RLP) supports teams from small, midsized, and rural communities in the Southeastern U.S. by providing best practices for public-private collaboration, technology-based economic development training, and innovation support resources. These resources help teams grow their entrepreneurial ecosystems and promote regional economic prosperity. The program offers workshops and coaching to develop each team’s ecosystem-building pilot project – providing one time grant funding of up to $40,000 per team, program management for support, access to interns from the Partnership’s Fellowship and Summer Internship Programs, and a network of peers for collaboration and knowledge transfer. Team pilot projects should address challenges through innovation, entrepreneurial ecosystem building, and public-private collaborations. Alumni teams have successfully implemented their projects, gained additional funding, and received technical assistance, serving as models for other communities facing similar challenges.
Program Fee and Financial Assistance
The Regional Leaders Program has a participant fee per team. This fee supports the delivery of high-quality programming, project technical assistance resources, and collaborative partnership opportunities. We are committed to ensuring access for all communities and offer a limited number of need-based scholarships for communities that demonstrate financial need. Teams seeking assistance are encouraged to indicate their interest during the application process.
2025 RLP Key Dates:
Before applying for the 2025 Regional Leaders Program, please make sure that the following session dates do not conflict with your personal or work calendars:
- Pre-Application Opens: May 2025
- Pre-Application Deadline Extended: Wednesday, July 9th at 11:59pm EST
- Cohort Selections: Early August 2025
- Regional Leaders Program Kickoff: September 10-11, 2025 (in-person)
- Program Workshop (Virtual): September 16, 2025
- Program Workshop (Virtual): September 30, 2025
- Program Workshop (Virtual): October 14, 2025
- Program Workshop (Virtual): October 28, 2025
- Program Workshop (Virtual): November 11, 2025
- Regional Leaders Program Closing: September 2026 (in-person)
What is a Regional Leaders Program Team?
To be considered for the program, each cohort team should consist of 3-4 individuals collectively representing public, private, and civic sectors. Team roles include:
- Community Engager
- Government Liaison
- Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Small Business Champion
- Private Industry Liaison
Competitive applications will feature individuals with a history of commitment to community engagement, innovation, entrepreneurial support, and economic development. Applications should also demonstrate strong support, partners, and resources for the project and team from within the community. Applicants should have a willingness to learn, share, and collaborate within their community and the programs cohort.
Participants must have the capacity to fully engage in all in-person events, virtual sessions, and project coaching meetings, with non-attendance leading to discontinuation from the program. Additionally, they must show commitment to supporting their team project and actively engaging with the regional cohort after the program concludes.
What Does a Successful Ecosystem Building Project Look Like?
Overall, the program supports projects that lead to tangible improvements in the ecosystem such as new organizations and programs, access to capital, entrepreneurs supported, food access initiatives, etc. Previous projects include establishing a community development financial institution (CDFI), creating entrepreneurial support organizations, and development of a regional network of statewide commercialization and technology transfer offices.
- View the Regional Leaders Program Gallery to learn more about the projects the Partnership supports.
Contact Us
E-mail our Economic Opportunity Manager, Jamal Lewis, with general questions. If you would like to meet with Jamal, please use this link to schedule a meeting.
