GWINNETT — The Gwinnett County Public Library will begin accepting applications Monday, Sept. 29 for its New Start Entrepreneurship Incubator (NSEI), a free six-month program designed to help formerly incarcerated individuals start and sustain their own businesses.

The incubator offers a combination of in-person classes, online coursework and mentorship from local business professionals. It is specifically geared toward residents who have served time in jail or prison and are seeking a second chance through entrepreneurship.

“Formerly incarcerated individuals are an overlooked population of aspiring entrepreneurs, often lacking the means, access and support to launch a small business successfully,” said Charles Pace, executive director of the Gwinnett County Public Library.

NSEI launched in 2021 as a grant-funded initiative supported by Google and the American Library Association. It is now managed by a five-member library team.

Each cohort includes 10 to 15 participants who attend monthly workshops on topics such as finance, marketing, licensing and business planning. Participants also complete online coursework and receive one-on-one guidance from experienced mentors. The library provides laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots to students who need them.

The program concludes with Launchpad, a business pitch event where participants present their ideas to local business leaders. The Gwinnett County Public Library Foundation has awarded a total of $15,000 to entrepreneurs through Launchpad since the program began.

So far, NSEI has graduated 42 participants across five cohorts.

Applications open Monday, Sept. 29. For more information or to apply, visit www.gwinnettpl.org.