Today, February 1st, is the beginning of #BlackHistoryMonth! We wanted to highlight one of our incredible 2023 cohort companies, Herculean Feats founded by Jason Hercules. Herculean Feats supports a sustainable and equitable built environment with innovation. They build tools that let community members easily interact with infrastructure to get the most out of their experience in the public realm. As a program dedicated to supporting New majority founders, we realize that navigating an entrepreneurship journey as a Black founder is not easy, especially considering the difficulties that come with accessing funding and resources. So, this #BlackHistoryMonth, let's all remember that supporting Black creators, businesses, founders, and individuals should be done 365 days a year, not just during the month of February. #BlackHistoryMonth2024 #SmartFuturesLab #NewMajority
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This powerful piece by Johnnie Turnage in BridgeDetroit yesterday for #martinlutherkingjr Day speaks to the importance of entrepreneurship as a path to economic equity: https://lnkd.in/eB9zZHMG "I have a dream that the barriers to capital, which disproportionately affect Black entrepreneurs, will crumble, opening the doors to innovation and growth for all," wrote Turnage, who is the founder of EvenScore and Black Tech Saturdays. He goes on to write ... "Those barriers to capital are not imaginary. A report by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that Black entrepreneurs were denied loans nearly twice as often as their white counterparts. Goldman Sachs’s report “Black Womenomics: Equalizing Entrepreneurship” states that Black entrepreneurs are more likely to rely on more expensive personal credit cards as the primary sources of startup capital. According to Citi, if Black entrepreneurs had access to fair and equitable lending, those founders would have created 6.1 million new jobs annually." As a CDFI lender, we at Michigan Women Forward are proud to be part of helping to make this dream come true and remove these barriers to capital for BIPOC entrepreneurs. Columns like this remind people why this work is important. Not just on MLK Day but every day. #blackbusiness #smallbusinesssupport #ihaveadream
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The urgency for effective, sustainable support for Black founders is more pronounced than ever. In our latest Ecosystem Prediction, Craig Moore II, Director of Entrepreneurial Programs for Venture For America, shares about inclusive entrepreneurship and the importance of systemic change in supporting Black founders. Read here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gMNG-jr2
2024 Ecosystem Predictions — The Complexities and Challenges of Inclusive Entrepreneurship - Endeavor U.S.
us.endeavor.org
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Twenty-three is a game-changing number — ask Michael Jordan and Lebron James. Since 2021, Resource has graduated two cohorts comprising 23 BIPOC-led Entrepreneur Support Organizations – raising over USD 23M in operating capital. Our report with Black Innovation Alliance, “Shifting the Center,” embodies both the current work and future vision for Resource – an initiative to back the entrepreneur support organizations that support entrepreneurs of color. The notion of shifting the center is what the ESO leaders we support do daily in disrupting systemic economic inequity. We envision a future where Black, Latinx, and indigenous-led ESOs have the necessary resources to mobilize investment capital to the startups they support. Read the report to learn more about this vision for Resource’s next chapter and learn five ways you can join us: https://lnkd.in/d-J-HpiK
Shifting the Center: 2023 Resource Lookbook
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I’m excited to share this insightful article on the importance of having like-minded individuals by your side when launching a business! Surrounding yourself with like-minded people can be a game-changer for success. Check out this must-read article to learn why a supportive community of like-minded individuals is vital for your entrepreneurial journey. #Entrepreneurship #CommunitySupport #BusinessTips #MBE #WBENC
Founders need like-minded communities to help them grow their businesses. But that need is even stronger for Black entrepreneurs, who often face greater obstacles finding mentors with shared experiences and backgrounds. Natalie King, CEO of Dunamis Charge ⚡️, the first Black woman-owned manufacturer of EV charging stations, was part of a “Building Supporting Networks: A Better Entrepreneurial Ecosystem” panel hosted by the MEDC and Inc. Magazine Founders House in Cincinnati at #BlackTechWeek this summer along with Monica Wheat, managing director of Techstars Detroit Powered by JP Morgan, and Ollie Howie, managing director of New Community Transformation Fund. Read the full article to discover key insights. #Detroit #Founders
It Takes a Village: How Founders Can Build a Supportive Community
inc.com
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#InReelTime Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs compilation🚀another one of my favorite storytelling clips I’ve created💫 RICE is an economic mobility engine for the community: driving Black entrepreneurs and small business owners to innovate, grow, create jobs, and build wealth. Part business generator, innovation lab, and museum, RICE invests in Black entrepreneurs, strengthens businesses, and creates community. Learn more about the mission at https://lnkd.in/eD7Wz5HU
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Access to capital shouldn't be a barrier to entrepreneurship. That's why Local First Arizona’s We Rise Accelerator is empowering Black entrepreneurs with mentorship, resources, and funding opportunities. Together with Arizona Financial Credit Union, they're making strides in leveling the playing field and creating tangible pathways to success. Learn more about their impactful work and how they're making a difference in the community. #Empowerment #FinancialInclusion #WeRiseTogether https://lnkd.in/g8EEejiv
‘We Rise’ helps build Black businesses, boosts Black entrepreneurs - STN
https://stntv.com
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I’m excited to share this insightful article on the importance of having like-minded individuals by your side when launching a business! Surrounding yourself with like-minded people can be a game-changer for success. Check out this must-read article to learn why a supportive community of like-minded individuals is vital for your entrepreneurial journey. #Entrepreneurship #CommunitySupport #BusinessTips #MBE #WBENC
Founders need like-minded communities to help them grow their businesses. But that need is even stronger for Black entrepreneurs, who often face greater obstacles finding mentors with shared experiences and backgrounds. Natalie King, CEO of Dunamis Charge ⚡️, the first Black woman-owned manufacturer of EV charging stations, was part of a “Building Supporting Networks: A Better Entrepreneurial Ecosystem” panel hosted by the MEDC and Inc. Magazine Founders House in Cincinnati at #BlackTechWeek this summer along with Monica Wheat, managing director of Techstars Detroit Powered by JP Morgan, and Ollie Howie, managing director of New Community Transformation Fund. Read the full article to discover key insights. #Detroit #Founders
It Takes a Village: How Founders Can Build a Supportive Community
inc.com
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I will always stand behind the belief that when a Black-owned business is funded, it changes lives and communities. I also know that when a Black woman is determined, she will always make a way. Check out April Fenall's story of why she founded her business as well as how it was made possible. April is the Founder of Piikup, a delivery service for e-commerce, wholesale and grocery based organizations. Piikup was born out of necessity. The first: She left her wallet behind in Nevada by mistake and wished for a quick and fast solution to having it delivered to her in California. The second: A chronic medical condition as well as a previous conviction made it almost impossible to find gainful employment. In 2018, with the help of loan from Runway Project Oakland, April was able to bring her vision to light. Fast forward to now and April has been able to "reach back and pull people up" by hiring employees who also found themselves struggling to secure employment due to marginalization. You can read more of her story here: https://lnkd.in/eyCym7f6 Before you go, be sure to grab your funding guide for startups at bit.ly/5FundingTypes. Follow this page for more funding resources and tips you can utilize to grow your business. #startup #funding #grants #businessloans #businessloan #networking #blackownedbusiness #womenwholead #womenentrepreneurs #smallbiz #microbusiness #capital #financialliteracy #blackwealth
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President, Founder & Director, The Planting Hope Company Inc (TSXV: MYLK) (OTCQB: MYLKF) | Board of Directors, the Plant Based Food Association
Know any middle-school girls, trans, and non-binary students in the Chicago area who are interested in entrepreneurship? Check out this amazing program run by my friend Scott Issen and Future Founders! Future Founders Startup Spring Break 2024 Application (google.com)
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google.com
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These stats & insights continue to make my head spin! It's all about connection capital... I am really proud of Capital One’s ongoing commitment to Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs. Small business focused events, and our Diverse Supplier Development program are just two examples of how we’re providing funding, learning and networking opportunities. #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #socialimpact #capitalone
How Capital One Supports Black and Hispanic Entrepreneurs
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