Contractor Capacity Lab^™ | January 2027

Invest in the Next Group of Qualified Contractors

This investment is about more than helping contractors pursue the next job. It helps them strengthen the company behind the work: the operations, team structure, financial practices, documentation, estimating, project management, and relationships that allow a business to grow without depending on the owner for everything.

Your partnership helps us build that foundation with contractors who are ready to do the work. In return, your company becomes part of a more prepared contractor pool and connects with businesses that are actively strengthening their capacity to work with larger clients.

Explore Investment Opportunities

25Established contractors10Working sessions50+Hours of hands-on support

Contractor Capacity Lab^™ | January 2027

What Your Investment Helps Build

Contractor Capacity Lab™ is bringing 25 established Charlotte-area construction and trade contractors into a hands-on working cohort designed to help them build companies that can take on stronger commercial and public-sector opportunities. Each participant will receive more than 50 hours of hands-on work and support. The 10-session cohort includes expert instruction, one-on-one technical assistance, estimating support, business-development work, prequalification preparation, and direct connection with general contractors and industry partners.

Participants will work on the parts of their companies that often limit growth: how work moves through the business, who owns each responsibility, how jobs are priced and managed, what documentation larger clients expect, and what needs to be in place before pursuing stronger opportunities.

The ninth session is a dedicated Prequalification Working Lab. Every participant will come prepared to complete the prequalification process for two participating general contractors.

25Established contractors

10Hands-on working sessions

50+Hours of support and preparation

Built on a proven record

More than 15 years of contractor development.

Contractor Capacity Lab™ is built on more than 15 years of experience developing contractors, construction businesses, and industry-focused training programs.

Lissette Velez created and managed the Construction Management Training program at the Hispanic Contractors Association of the Carolinas for 13 consecutive years. Across the program’s history, an estimated 70% of participating companies secured commercial work after completing the training.

The program became a trusted part of the contractor pipeline. As companies grew, several began sending their project managers through the program to strengthen how they managed projects, reporting, and the work happening in the field.

Contractor Capacity Lab™ builds on that experience through a deeper, more hands-on model focused on the owner, the team, and the business foundation needed to grow.

15+ years of contractor development 13 consecutive years leading construction management training 70% of participating companies secured commercial work

Investment opportunities

Choose the role your company can play.

Investment opportunities will be confirmed on a first-come basis. Limited opportunities are available.

Presenting Sponsor

$10,000

The company most visibly connected to Contractor Capacity Lab™ and its investment in developing a stronger contractor pipeline.

Velez Strategies will recognize the Presenting Sponsor through a launch press release, regional and industry media outreach, social media, communications, program materials, the participant working file, opening networking lunch, graduation, and final impact report.

Includes

Naming recognition as Contractor Capacity Lab™ presented by [Company]
Two sponsored contractor seats, subject to the same registration and fit review
Up to five representatives at the opening networking lunch and graduation
One approved industry contribution during a relevant Lab session
Participant directory and cohort profile with authorized business contact information
Final impact report, including a dedicated acknowledgement of the investment

Contractor Pipeline Partner Limited to two companies

$5,500

A practical way to prepare a group of contractors for your own prequalification process. During the Prequalification Working Lab, participants will work on the two participating general contractors’ forms, document requirements, and submission processes.

This gives your company access to contractors who have done real work to prepare for its process—not simply attended a networking event.

Includes

A dedicated Prequalification Working Lab built around your form, requirements, and process
Prequalification materials completed by participating contractors for your review
Opening networking lunch and graduation invitation
Participant directory, cohort profile, program recognition, and final impact report

Participation does not guarantee prequalification approval, contract awards, or future work. Each company maintains its own review process.

Networking Reception Sponsor Limited to one company

$4,000

Host the Contractor Capacity Lab™ graduation and networking reception, bringing contractors, sponsors, and selected industry guests together to recognize what participants completed and begin new business relationships.

Before networking begins, your team may introduce the company, share upcoming projects, trade-partner needs, its prequalification process, or pathways to work with the company. The sponsor provides the venue; Velez Strategies provides food and refreshments.

Includes

Recognition as host of the graduation and networking reception
Opportunity to introduce your company and relevant upcoming work
Opening networking lunch and graduation invitation
Participant directory, cohort profile, program recognition, and final impact report

Industry Partner

$3,500

The Industry Partner is for companies that want to take a direct role in developing the next group of contractors. Your investment can help one contractor participate in the program or bring real industry perspective into the cohort, helping participants understand what strong commercial partners expect.

Choose one

Sponsor one contractor’s participation, subject to registration and fit review
Provide one approved industry contribution during a relevant Lab session

Also includes

Opening networking lunch and graduation invitation
Participant directory and cohort profile
Recognition in program materials and at graduation
Final impact report with cohort participation, completion, and early outcomes

Contractor Network Partner

$2,000

Get connected to a selected group of established local contractors who are strengthening their companies and preparing for stronger commercial opportunities.

The Contractor Network Partner is for companies that want to begin building relationships with trade contractors before the next project need arises. Your company will receive the cohort profile and contact list, join the group at graduation, and see the work contractors completed through the final impact report.

Includes

Consented participant contact list and cohort profile
Recognition in program materials and at graduation
Invitation for up to two representatives to attend graduation
Final impact report

Impact Reporting

Evidence of the Work Completed.

Following the cohort, sponsors will receive a final Impact Report documenting the companies reached, the work completed, and the progress made across the group. The report includes the cohort profile, participation and completion, business tools developed, prequalification progress, and early results after the program.

This gives sponsors a concrete record they can share internally to show what their investment helped produce for local contractors and the construction industry. It also gives the company useful information when deciding whether to support future cohorts, invest in additional contractor-development efforts, or focus future industry support in areas where contractors need it most.

Invest in the next group

Help build the next group of qualified contractors.

Contractor Capacity Lab™ is built for established contractors ready to strengthen the company behind the work, take on greater demand, and compete for the opportunities they want.

Invest in the Lab and help build the next group of qualified contractors to grow their businesses, work with you, and contribute to a stronger local construction industry.

Select Your Investment Opportunity

Share your selection and billing information. We will confirm the opportunity, then send your invoice and next steps.

Investment opportunity *Company name *Primary contact name *TitleEmail address *Phone numberBilling contact name If different from the primary contact.Billing email addressBilling address *Anything we should know about your company’s participation? Optional

Thank you for your investment.

We received your selection for Contractor Capacity Lab™

We will confirm the opportunity and send your invoice, along with the next steps for participation.