LEAP Program (La Mesa Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program)

The La Mesa Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program (LEAP) is a partnership between the City of La Mesa and the East County Economic Development Council. The program distributes grant funds to La Mesa businesses.

Geographic Scope: Incorporated City of La Mesa, California

Funding Details:

• Total fund: $350,000
• Target: 35 La Mesa businesses
• Award: $10,000 per business

Eligibility Requirements:

• At least 21 years old
• Resident of San Diego County
• Own and operate a brick-and-mortar location within the incorporated City of La Mesa
• Less than 20 employees
• Have a valid La Mesa Business license or equivalent
• Business must have been open for at least one year (Cohort 3 requirement)
• For-profit businesses only (nonprofits are ineligible)
• Prior LEAP grant participants are ineligible

What They Fund:

• Existing brick-and-mortar businesses in La Mesa

What They Don't Fund:

• Nonprofit organizations
• Startup businesses (Cohort 3 targets existing businesses)
• Businesses outside City of La Mesa
• Previously funded LEAP participants

Program Requirements:
Participants must complete:

• Four SBDC training classes (mandatory, in-person attendance)
• Five one-on-one advisory sessions with SBDC
• All SBDC course materials and advisor-assigned homework
• Classes typically offered within 3-month window with no make-up sessions available

Selection Process:

• First come, first served basis
• First 50 applicants who meet program criteria will be selected
• Grant eligibility: Completion of all program requirements makes businesses eligible (not guaranteed) to receive the $10,000 grant

Contact Information:

• Address: 127 E. Lexington Ave.
• Phone: 619.258.3670
• Email: info@eastcountyedc.org

LEAP Program Application Process

1. Access the Application
   • Available on the East County Economic Development Council website
   • Application is currently closed
2. Submission Requirements
   • Complete LEAP application with required information
   • Demonstrate eligibility (business license, location, business age, etc.)
3. Selection Criteria
   • First come, first served basis
   • First 50 eligible applicants selected to participate
4. Upon Acceptance
   • Register with the SBDC (Small Business Development Center)
   • Attend four mandatory in-person SBDC training classes
   • Complete five one-on-one advisory sessions
   • Complete all SBDC course materials
   • Complete advisor-assigned homework assignments
5. Timeline
   • Classes typically offered within a 3-month window
   • Make-up sessions not available
   • Participants must complete program by specified deadline (e.g., October 31 for Cohort 3)
6. Grant Distribution
   • Upon completion of all program requirements, entrepreneurs become eligible to receive $10,000 grant
   • Grant is not automatically awarded but contingent on requirement completion