Thanks to a new partnership with JP Morgan Chase, San Francisco entrepreneurs of color have a new source of capital: The Entrepreneurs of Color Fund.
San Francisco has one of the highest concentrations of small businesses owned by people of color; there are about 46,000 such small businesses in the city. The fund is designed to increase economic opportunity by providing businesses with greater access to capital and advising, thus supporting their growth, local hiring, and the creation of a more equitable economy.
Access to non-predatory, affordable capital continues to be a challenge for small businesses in San Francisco, especially for entrepreneurs of color. White entrepreneurs receive over 50% of Small Business Administration loans in San Francisco, while Latinos receive less than 7% and African-Americans barely more than 1%. Entrepreneurs of color are systematically and chronically undercapitalized which hampers their growth as well as their ability to invest in the infrastructure and key hires necessary to build strong, stable businesses.
Here For You, Here For The Community
The San Francisco Entrepreneurs of Color Fund meets you where you are, with fair and affordable capital from $5,000 – $1,000,000 from start-up to scale-up, plus financial advice, one-on-one mentoring, and in-depth classes.
Access To Capital
Small businesses combat rising income inequality by creating local jobs with living wages; and yet, small businesses struggle to access the capital and support they need to grow. The Entrepreneurs of Color Fund closes that gap with a range of services designed to support the growth, profitability, and sustainability of companies owned by people of color in San Francisco.
Early Stage ($5k – $50k)
Loans and microloans for startups and early-stage businesses. Includes free post-loan consulting to help you prove your ideas and grow your business.
Middle Stage ($50k – $200K)
Loans and working capital to help you grow, thrive and succeed. Includes free one-on-one expert advice on any business challenge or topic.
Growth Stage ($200k – $1mm)
Hybrid capital investments for companies to scale. Includes ongoing advisory services to promote job creation, quality, and access.
Access To Advice And Consulting
Entrepreneurs need more than a check to be successful over the long haul, and the Entrepreneurs of Color Fund pairs the right capital with the right business advice – whether it’s through pre-loan support and application guidance, to post-loan support and technical assistance – to support business growth and long-term sustainability.
Financial Consulting
Pre- and post-loan financial consulting for early-stage entrepreneurs to help you reach your objectives.
Business Mentoring
Free, confidential and ongoing one-on-one advice from a network of thousands of business experts.
Classes and Workshops
Practical education like the annual Growth Strategies course and hands-on advising in the Good Jobs Accelerator.
About The Entrepreneurs of Colors Fund Collaborative
Three non-profit community development financial institutions (CDFI) – Working Solutions, Pacific Community Ventures, ICA Fund Good Jobs – have come together with JPMorgan Chase to provide business owners greater access to capital and business assistance.
The three partners will increase access to capital and support that all businesses need. San Francisco businesses – from start-up and early-stage, to growth-stage – will have access to a range of services designed to spur the growth, profitability, and sustainability of companies owned by people of color in San Francisco. The loans and investments range from $5,000 and up, and businesses can use the capital to expand, finance equipment, address short-term cash flow needs.
Through this partnership, we aim to create a continuum of capital and consulting to support small businesses run by entrepreneurs of color.
The full and original article can be viewed on PacificCommunityVentures.org
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