Our vision is the collapse of persistent structural barriers to racial economic equity. We strive to be an agent of change for an ecosystem for Black and Latinx business communities to thrive and create opportunity and wealth, serving as a conduit for economic revitalization.
As the connective tissue, the FBE couples entrepreneurs, capital providers, civic organizations, and corporations with ideas that create the conditions for an equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Entrepreneurs and business owners serve as the building block for the local economy. Linking them with smart strategy, strong talent, and growth capital, we provide an opportunity for real economic participation enabling new wealth and job creation.
Financial institutions and funders provide the capital for both idea and venture acceleration. We help foundations, banks, and equity funds identify investments in overlooked markets, leveraging capital for financial and social return.
Civic and partner organizations serve as compasses to our community values and practices. Our work with them ensures that future ecosystem work recognizes and addresses the persistent structural barriers that have stymied the growth of Black and Latinx businesses.
Corporations and anchor institutions are vested in creating a healthy sustained community for their employees, students, and customers to live, work, and play. Our work creates a stronger economy that funnels businesses for their supply chain, new product innovation and business acquisition.
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Ecosystem Partner
The Business Equity Fund at the Boston Foundation is designed to address longstanding barriers to growth financing and technical assistance that have historically limited opportunity for entrepreneurs of color. The Fund was created in 2018 as a core component of an ecosystem to grow enterprises of color in Boston. Learn more here.
Ecosystem Partner
Berkshire Bank committed $1 million in low interest capital for a loan fund that has been operated by Mill City Community Investments (MCCI). This fund has been open to eligible BEI Participating Enterprises who are seeking growth capital. FBE is encouraged and expects this to be the first of more concessionary debt vehicles focused on supporting Black and Latinx business growth. Learn more about Berkshire Bank and MCCI.
Ecosystem Partner
Launched in 2018, Pacesetters is a partnership of large and mid-sized companies and anchor institutions who use their collective purchasing power to create opportunities at scale for local, ethnic minority-owned businesses. Pacesetters is aligned with the work of the Chamber’s Committee on Economic Opportunity, which is charged with developing the united response of the business community to economic inequality.
Learn more here.
