Browsing Tag
minority entrepreneurship
15 posts
15 Grant Programs for Minority and Women Business Owners
Grant programs offering free money are hard to come by, which is why many entrepreneurs frequently end up applying for small business loans or try crowdfunding to start or expand their companies. However, many organizations have recently created grants in an effort to assist companies that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Some of...
Life of Purpose: Detroit’s Monica Wheat Strengthens Startup Ecosystem with Equality and Inclusion
A strategist, educator and venture developer, Southfield native Monica Wheat has dedicated her career to venture capital, but what truly sets her apart is her dedication to improving Detroit’s startup community and making it more inclusive to women and girls. When in high school, Wheat attended camps to learn about career options. That’s where she first...
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Huntington Bank Announces Major Financing Initiative to Detroit Region (Episode 242)
On today's Business Beat, Jeff discusses Huntington Bank's $1 billion commitment to minority-owned businesses in Detroit and Wayne County. Huntington just completed the acquisition of TCF Bank, making Huntington the 25th largest bank in the country with more than $170 billion in assets. Tune in to the Business Beat, below, to learn more about what...
Why Investing in Minority-Owned Startups is Key to Unlocking Innovation
Despite being a critical force in the future of the U.S. economy, people of color are disproportionately hurt by lack of access to capital. While diversity and inclusion initiatives are en vogue in Silicon Valley, the reality is that access to funding remains a tightly-guarded gateway to success — and venture capitalists today are missing...
3 Fintech Founders Share How They Are Closing the Racial and Gender Wealth Gaps
The racial and gender wealth gaps remain a major source of inequity in the United States. Three entrepreneurs in the finance technology space are choosing different paths to solve these issues by using digital tools and data to improve financial inclusivity. Learn how each are creatively fighting to close gaps from helping underrepresented job candidates...
Grant Program Announced for Black Women-Owned Businesses in Detroit (and How to Maximize Your Chances of Securing Relief)
Small businesses make up an astounding 99.6% of Michigan businesses and 49% of the state’s employees—that’s 1.9 million people. Since the onset of the pandemic, these businesses have been forced to endure a tumultuous journey that has meant drastic budget cuts, layoffs and a complete strategy pivot. However, businesses haven’t had to face this crisis...
Third Shift Entrepreneur: Keep Your Day Job, Build Your Dream Job
The following is excerpted from Todd Connor’s book, "Third Shift Entrepreneur," published by Wiley, released in September 2020. Find more information here: https://thirdshiftentrepreneur.com” StartupNation exclusive discounts and savings on Dell products and accessories: Learn more here Foreword from “IRON” Mike Steadman After serving as an officer in the Marine Corps, I launched my first venture, which was...
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Minority-Owned Businesses Hit Hardest by Pandemic (Episode 96)
As we reported on yesterday's Business Beat, concern over a potential secondary wave of closures is high among startups and small businesses that have already had to temporarily close their small businesses as a result of the pandemic. However, there is an additional element of the report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and MetLife...
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: TCF Bank Announces $1 Billion Loan Program (Episode 89)
Yesterday afternoon, TCF Bank unveiled its $1 billion loan commitment for minority- and women-owned small businesses. This announcement comes just a few months after the company pledged to take a stand in order to fight racism and social injustice. With this initiative, TCF is delivering on its promise, as these loans will help ensure funding...
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: John Gallagher Offers Key Takeaways from Day 1 of Detroit Startup Week (Episode 79)
On this morning's WJR Business Beat, Jeff shares insights from John Gallagher, former Detroit Free Press columnist and noted author, who provides key takeaways from the first day of Detroit Startup Week. Tune in to below to hear John's key highlights: StartupNation · WJR Business Beat - June 24, 2020 StartupNation exclusive discounts and savings...
How Hispanic Entrepreneurs are Making an Impact in the Startup Community
As of 2018, the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce reported that about 4.4 million Latino-owned businesses in the U.S. contribute more than $700 billion to the economy annually. A briefing from Geoscape noted that Hispanic-owned businesses have grown 27.5 percent since 2002, double the growth rate of all U.S. firms, which are estimated at 12.3...
What Diverse Founders Must Do to Combat Funding Bias
It is no secret that the funding world has a diversity issue. As an industry, a recent analysis found that 70 percent of the venture capital industry is white. The study also noted that just 3 percent of venture capitalists are black, while merely one percent are Latinx. Further, about three-quarters of U.S. venture capital...
Detroit Startup Week feat. John Henry and Chris Lambert
This episode of StartupNation Radio is sponsored by DBusiness, Siren PR and Dell Small Business This week, we took StartupNation Radio on the road! In honor of Detroit Startup Week, we livestreamed 16 interviews within two days from the Lear Innovation Center, sitting down with renowned entrepreneurs, passionate thought leaders and innovators, all of whom have...
Next Time You Think the Cards Are Stacked Against You, Think of Sarah Breedlove
The following is reprinted from "Platform: The Art and Science of Personal Branding" Copyright (c) 2019 by Cynthia Johnson. Published by Lorena Jones Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC. Sarah Breedlove is considered the first female self-made millionaire. At the time of her death, she was worth $600,000, which would be about $8...
Minority, Women Entrepreneurs Find More Opportunity in Franchise World
Barbara Brixton believed she had two strikes against her as she planned her business career: she is a woman and she is African-American. What’s more, she knew she wanted to do something in the food service industry. Her years as a teenager waiting tables at a local diner taught her the pleasure of serving people their...