The program is designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs in low-income neighborhoods build and sustain their businesses, with a focus on women-, minority- and immigrant-owned businesses in food-related industries. The program provides industry specific education, networks and mentoring as well as small capital grants for business owners.

Commonwealth Kitchen believes in the power of food to build connections between individuals and build wealth for the business owners who have traditionally been left out of the food economy. Nearly 80% of our member companies are owned by women, immigrants, and/or people of color.

The Founder Institute is the world’s most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses. It’s Core Program pushes founders at the idea and pre-seed stages to reach the milestones needed for investment and sustained growth. 

TiE Boston was founded as an organization “by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs.” Through mentoring, networking, funding, and education, TiE Boston empowers individuals to create economic growth and vibrant careers by building innovative businesses.

ALPFA Boston is deeply committed to the professional trajectories of the Latinx community, and while 2021 may have posed some challenges along the way, we maintained our vigor and passion for creating impact.

The Boston Local Development Corporation (BLDC), located in Boston, Massachusetts, works to increase employment opportunities for Boston residents by providing small business loans with a focus on commercial, industrial and service companies. The BLDC is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation governed by an independent board of trustees. The day to day operation of the program is provided by the Boston Planning & Development Agency’s Financial Services department. 

Branchfood is a launchpad for food innovation. By bringing together all corners of the industry through curated events, investments, shared workspaces, and advisory support, Branchfood connects innovators and fosters growth to transform the food industry.

Browning the Green Space is a voluntary coalition of leaders and organizations, primarily in the New England region, that share the passion to advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) in clean energy. Our goal is to increase the participation and leadership of Black and Brown people and of women (collectively, “underrepresented groups”) in the clean energy space and beyond (e.g., wasted food, water, agtech) in the Northeast.

The Center for Women & Enterprise is a nationally known nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people start and grow their businesses. CWE has worked with more than 65,000 Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont entrepreneurs since 1995. CWE also operates the Veterans Business Outreach Center of New England (VBOC of NE) that focuses on assisting veterans, active-duty service members and their families with starting and growing their business.

Our team provides all small business owners and entrepreneurs with the tools and guidance to successfully start, grow, and build a business in Boston.

Our mission is to build a cohesive and resilient community in Codman Square and South Dorchester, develop affordable housing and commercial spaces that are safe and sustainable, and promote economic stability for low- and moderate-income residents of all ages.

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, and is used to identify a business entity. The only kind of business that does not require getting an EIN is a sole proprietorship with no employees.

The Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative’s (DSNI) mission is to empower Dudley residents to organize, plan for, create and control a vibrant, diverse and high-quality neighborhood in collaboration with community partners. – Dudley Street initiative mission statement

The mission of English for New Bostonians is to ensure that immigrants can access high quality English classes to fully leverage their talents and voices across schools, workplaces, small business and civic life.

Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll) is accelerating economic and social impact in communities nationwide through inclusive entrepreneurship.

Works to remove social, cultural, and institutional barriers in order to facilitate and support an expansive and equitable artistic ecosystem where all voices thrive and where storytelling flourishes. This mission is essential because our collective voices have the power to shape a more just and connected world by revealing truths, transforming lives, and deepening human understanding.

Our mission is to provide equal visibility opportunities for women, supporting career development, business success, thought leadership and diversity. We’re also here to help event managers avoid the all-male, all-pale and all-stale panels we see so often at industry conferences and events. We need more diversity onstage.

Located in the heart of the Back Bay, Kirkland’s Boston office opened in 2017 and includes more than 100 lawyers focused on sophisticated transactions for private equity firms and public and private companies. Our lawyers in Boston advise private equity sponsors in the city and throughout New England across the entire lifecycle of a fund, drawing on Kirkland’s international network and world-class private equity platform to bring to bear the full resources of our diverse practices and experience for clients. In collaboration with local legal, business, academic and civic institutions, our tight-knit team in Boston is committed to contributing positively to the city and surrounding communities.

The Latino Equity Fund (formerly the Latino Legacy Fund), a unique partnership between local Latino leaders and the Boston Foundation (TBF), is the first Latino-focused fund in the Commonwealth. The Latino Equity Fund (LEF) uses its influence and platform to amplify diverse voices and perspectives within the Latino community and beyond in Greater Boston and the state, with a focus on achieving greater and more equitable access to economic prosperity and well-being.

The MSBDC is the leader in providing small business owners and entrepreneurs in Massachusetts with the tools and guidance needed to become successful in today’s challenging economic climate. We provide free and confidential one-to-one business advice to prospective and existing small businesses focusing on business growth and strategies, financing and loan assistance as well as strategic, marketing and operational analysis. In addition, low-cost educational training programs are offered across the state targeted to the needs of small businesses. 

We work with youth, ages 16-24, who are in the foster care system, court-involved, homeless, out of school, parenting, or involved with the Department of Mental Health. At More Than Words, they earn a spot on our team running a successful $4M business, gain promotions, set and achieve personal goals, advocate for their rights, and learn skills to set them up for success in any career path they choose.

NFTE ignites the entrepreneurial mindset with unique learning experiences that empower students to own their futures.

NSIV is a non-profit technology incubator helping early-stage biotech and cleantech companies increase their probability of success.

We believe in social justice through economic empowerment, and in the opportunity for meritocracy in tech. This isn’t about one-off camps or hackathons. This is about  meaningful change.

Through collaboration with residents, local businesses, developers, plus public and private agencies, our mission is to make Nubian Square a vibrant and inclusive commercial district that supports local and minority businesses, creates jobs for local residents and engages the community through neighborhood planning

• We focus on making the maximum positive effort for our community. 
• Our board members and volunteers provide the momentum that helps us affect change. 
• Using data driven models, we provide solutions that make a long-lasting difference.
• We take our convictions and turn them into action. Get in touch for more information!

Small Business Strong is a non-profit organization empowered to help women and minority owned small businesses navigate the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We recognize that our 650,000 Massachusetts small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities and we have set out to provide best-in-class support where it’s needed most. Small Business Strong provides expedited, pro-bono resources to small businesses ranging from access to capital to consulting, business restructuring, business growth, digital marketing and customer engagement plans. You don’t need to work through these hard times alone, contact us today.