CREATESmall Business Tech Booster Project
Codemarket’s Small Business Tech Booster Project will empower 100,000 small businesses in Los Angeles with the same technology and knowledge corporations and fortune 500 companies use to reach their goals. The Project will build prosperous local communities by enabling small businesses to create and monetize online communities and digital products tailor-made to their business. By harnessing the power of technology and innovation, small businesses will generate wealth and prosperity in their community and boost Los Angeles.
In which areas of Los Angeles will you be directly working?
Central LA
East LA
San Gabriel Valley
San Fernando Valley
South LA
Westside
South Bay
Antelope Valley
County of Los Angeles
City of Los Angeles
LAUSD (please select only if you have a district-wide partnership or project)
In what stage of innovation is this project?
Expand existing program
What is the need you’re responding to?
There has never been a greater need for small businesses to understand and harness the power of technology than there is today. The COVID-19 crisis is forcing businesses to strengthen their online presence, develop new ways to connect to their customers, and create digital products. Codemarket’s platform democratizes the ability to monetize online presence and digital products by allowing small businesses to create online communities and digital products tailor-made to their business.
Codemarket was developed under the conviction that the monetization of technology and digital products should not be limited to big companies like Google and Facebook. Instead, it should be available to all for the benefit of all. Small business owners understand the needs of their community better than anyone else. The greatest impact you can have on a community is to empower these individuals with technological solutions that enable them to use their passion and talents to benefit their community.
Why is this project important to the work of your organization?
Codemarket helps individuals and businesses reach their goals with technological solutions. Our over 20 years of experience and knowledge in a wide-array of sectors, from health and wellness to retail, insurance, and non-profit organizations, allows our team to tailor the digital infrastructure, digital products, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and AI Strategy to support every type of small business.
Codemarket Founder, Sumithra Jonnalagadda, received her engineering degree from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and her MBA from the premier Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. She has experience starting her own small business and first-hand knowledge of the challenges associated with it. Equipped with that understanding, she started Codemarket to help local businesses scale their businesses using technical solutions that large corporations use. She has over 20 years of experience creating data driven digital products that can be monetized.
Approximately how many people will be impacted by this proposal?
Direct Impact: 2,500,000
Indirect Impact: 10,000,000
Please describe the broader impact of your proposal.
Small businesses power their local economy by creating meaningful jobs, promoting innovation, and providing opportunity. They keep money close to home and support their local neighborhoods. Los Angeles’ small businesses offer unique and diverse services, goods, and experiences - helping to create and define Los Angeles’ culture and identity.
The Small Business Tech Booster Project will help businesses thrive, leading to more lucrative local jobs and opportunities, and more services and products for all Angelinos. A prosperous Main Street means a prosperous community. Empowering small businesses in Los Angeles’ over 250 cities and neighborhoods with the technology and knowledge to succeed will power Los Angeles' economy and community.
Please explain how you will define and measure success for your project.
Our vision is for Los Angeles’ small businesses to grow, thrive and lead the nation in the utilization of technology to build community and create prosperity. The goal of the Small Business Tech Booster Project is to empower 100,000 small Los Angeles businesses to develop their online presence, build an online community, and create digital products that can be monetized. We will define and measure our long-term success by the success and sustainability of the small businesses that participate in the Project.
The outcomes of the Small Business Tech Booster Project are by the end of the grant period:
1) All participating businesses will create digital products around their businesses.
2) Each participating business will build their mailing lists, CRM and online communities on an average of 1000 and above.
3) 90% of participating businesses will start generating additional revenue as a result of the Project.
Which of the CREATE metrics will your submission impact?
Income inequality
Jobs per capita
Minority- and women-owned businesses
Are there any other LA2050 goal categories that your proposal will impact?
LA is the best place to LEARN
LA is the best place to PLAY
LA is the best place to CONNECT
LA is the healthiest place to LIVE
Which of LA2050’s resources will be of the most value to you?
Access to the LA2050 community
Host public events or gatherings
Communications support
Office space for meetings, events, or for staff
Capacity, including staff
Strategy assistance and implementation