Equity in Entrepreneurship
For the last 25 years, Ventures has proven that individuals with limited resources – including women, BIPOC, immigrants, and members of other underserved communities – can thrive as small business owners with an ecosystem of support. Through our Equity in Entrepreneurship campaign, we hope to achieve our vision of a nation where all individuals who seek to succeed as small business owners have access to the tools and resources they need to do so:
Technical Assistance
- Increased funding for training, coaching and incubation programs for micro-entrepreneurs
- Funding for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and mission-oriented lenders that provide access to capital for micro-entrepreneurs
- Support for technical assistance providers that provide training, coaching, and incubation services to micro-enterprises, with a focus on achieving equity in small business opportunity
Economic Security
- Implement changes to the Working Families Tax Credit to eliminate a “benefit cliff” which could discourage entrepreneurs from increasing their incomes
- Full implementation of the Working Families Tax Credit, including increased outreach funding for community-based organizations
Food Justice
More than 40% of Ventures entrepreneurs own or operate a food-based business, and Ventures offers training, coaching, incubation, and access to capital for hundreds of food entrepreneurs each year. Starting and growing a food business is incredibly challenging in our complex regulatory environment, especially with limited resources, a lack of a robust business network, or limited English skills.
Many Ventures entrepreneurs persist and thrive despite these barriers – but policymakers can and should pursue policies that reduce barriers for underserved business owners. Specifically, we advocate for:
Access to Markets
- Flexibility in permitting and commercial kitchen usage to allow entrepreneurs with limited resources access to food business ownership
- Fire safety permit reciprocity for mobile food vendors in different cities and counties
Legalize Home Cooking
- Implementation of a Microenterprise Home Kitchens permit for home food preparation and sales, specifically designed to support entrepreneurs with limited resources
For more information or how to get involved, contact Will von Geldern at wvongeldern@venturesnonprofit.org.