Detroit, July 29, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chevrolet is providing 12 extended-range electric Volts to help
expand a unique program that matches local entrepreneurs and MBA
students committed to revitalizing small businesses across
America.
MBAs Across America launched last year when four first-year
Harvard MBA students drove 8,000 miles across the country, offering
free business counseling to local entrepreneurs. With the success
of their journey, two of the original team members expanded the
program into a nonprofit organization.
See video from General Motors and Synaptic Digital
here: http://video.gm.com/GLOBAL/Latest-News/chevrolet-volt-partners-with-mbas-across-america-/s/5870194d-a32a-4fb5-9614-37697e3adea8
Eight MBA teams from Babson, Columbia, Harvard, Stanford,
University of California Berkeley, and University of Michigan will
visit 25 cities this summer, including Detroit, helping nearly 50
small businesses.
"Detroit is the spiritual birthplace of MBAs Across America, so
it is fitting that our movement enters its second year thanks to
the visionary support of GM -- an iconic American institution that
we fundamentally believe will help lead the resurgence of Detroit
in the years to come," said Casey Gerald, founder and chief
executive of MBAs Across America. "We are inspired by GM's work in
the Motor City, and thank them for their support in powering our
teams' journeys in Chevy Volts."
The MBA students will help seven Detroit metro area businesses:
Detroit Empowerment Plan, Ellis Island Tea, EliTea, Oakland Living,
the Social Club Grooming Company, Social Sushi, and Sweet Potato
Sensations.
Sebastian Jackson, founder of the Social Club Grooming Company
in Detroit, was among the first entrepreneurs the MBA students
worked with in 2013. Since working with MBAs Across America,
Jackson has tripled the revenue of his hair salon and recently
received a $100,000 no-equity investment from a local investor.
"We wanted to help enable the vision of MBA students,
entrepreneurs, and catalysts coming together to make America
stronger, one community at a time," said GM CEO Mary Barra. "We're
delighted to be a partner in this extraordinary program and we
could not be more proud that Detroit is at the heart of it."
The Volt, which can travel approximately 38 all-electric miles
on a single charge, will expose the MBAs to the quiet and efficient
EV driving experience and can go more than 300 additional miles
between charges by seamlessly switching to a gasoline-powered
generator that provides electricity to turn the wheels. With OnStar
4G LTE, owners can explore new features like a built-in Wi-Fi
hotspot capable of connecting up to seven devices, as well as
improved access to existing OnStar safety and security
services.