an economic development 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

- Our Mission -

TO SUPPORT LATINO AND BLACK ENTREPRENEURS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES THROUGH EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.


How we fulfill our mission

Through a series of ongoing entrepreneurship and business programs.

Business and Technology Incubators
Educational Events
Technical Assistance
Business and Technology Accelerator Program
Networking Events
Pitch Events
Startup Weekends

- Business and Technology Incubators -

where ideas become a reality

Sample Program Content

  • Intro to Ideation

  • Building a prototype

  • Lean startup theory

  • Design thinking

  • Weekly educational workshops

Sample Program Structure

  • 30 entrepreneurs per cohort

  • 6 months; 20 hours per week

  • Co-working space

  • Experienced mentors and instructors

- Educational Events -

build a foundation of knowledge  

Product
Development

  • Intro to Ideation

  • Lean startup theory

  • Design thinking

  • Building a prototype

Entrepreneurship Skills

  • Leadership

  • Public speaking

  • Risk taking

  • Resilience

Access-to-Capital Education

  • Intro to Bank Financing

  • Intro to Venture Capital

  • Access to capital basics

  • Pre qualification Assessment

Business Fundamentals

  • Finance 101

  • Accounting basics

  • Sales & Marketing

  • Operations Management

- Technical assistance -

practical consulting sessions for entrepreneurs and business owners  

Access-to-Capital Assistance

  • Pre qualification assessment

  • Calculate repayment ability

  • Prepare loan submission

  • Communication with banks

Accounting Assistance

  • Establish accounting method

  • Set up chart of accounts

  • Setup A/R, A/P, and payroll systems

Legal & Compliance
Assistance

  • Establish policies and procedures

  • Obtain permits and licenses

  • Obtain key insurance policies

  • Entity select and formation

Operational Assistance

  • Optimize profitability

  • Analyze pricing and cost structure

  • Assist with controlling costs

- Business and Technology Accelerator Program- 

converts a startup team into an investor read and scalable company  

Sample Program Content

  • Customer discovery

  • Product or Market fit

  • "Go to market" strategies

  • Customer validation

  • Demo day with investors

Sample Program Strucure

  • 10 startups per cohort

  • 10 weeks; 40 hours per week

  • Co-working space

  • One mentor per team and Board of Advisors

  • Weekly workshops and networking

- Networking Events -  

bring investors and entrepreneurs together

Entrepreneurship
Networking

  • 2 week window to apply

  • Majority minority led teams

  • First to apply, first to be reviewed

  • May be industry specific

  • Must have user traction or revenue

Investor
Networking

  • Angel investor group formation

  • Investor panel discussion

  • Cafecito meetups

- Pitch Events -

test the skills of motivated entrepreneurs

Application Process

  • 2 week window to apply

  • Majority minority led teams

  • First to apply, first to be reviewed

  • May be industry specific

  • Must have user traction or revenue

Sample Program Structure

  • 4 hour event

  • 10 teams

  • 10 minutes for pitch

  • 10 minutes for Q&A

  • Real investors to judge

- Startup Weekends -

where many entrepreneurs are born  

Application Process

  • 2 months to receive and review

  • Majority minority led teams

  • First to apply, first to be reviewed

  • May be industry specific

Sample Program Structure

  • From Friday to Sunday

  • 50 Participants

  • Facilitator and 3 organizers

  • One mentor per team

  • Office space at Indie Desk

  • Demo day

Our Sponsors  

Acelera Financial

supported by our sponsors committed to our mission

- CDFI Certified