We believe in the unlocked potential of giving entrepreneurs the support they need.

The Entrepreneurial Development and Leadership Institute (EDLI), inspired by Frederick Douglass prepares Black, Latinx and Women entrepreneurs to succeed through a personalized business assessment process and targeted connections to an ecosystem of resources and support.

We see growing small businesses as the primary economic engine to stabilize communities and improve lives.

80%

of the equity capital needs of Black and Latinx entrepreneurs in Chicago go unmet compared to 46% of White Owned Businesses

$146M

There is a gap of $146M between supply and demand for equity capital among Black and Latinx entrepreneurship in Chicago

Too Few

There are too few equity capital providers of scale focused on entrepreneurs of color that provide the type of capital required by their businesses

“We have the drive. We simply need connections. . . to resources, to capital, to information, to markets, to each other.”

– 2021 Entrepreneur Focus Group Participant

THE SOLUTION

A.C.C.E.S.S.

ACCESS: A coordinated approach to identify and engage resources and support within an ecosystem to grow Black, Latinx, and Women owned businesses.

ASSESSMENT

Discovery, Business Assessment, Progress Check-ins

COACHING

Leadership & Business Coaching, Accountability

CONNECTING

Networking Opportunities & Introductions to Peers in Industry

EDUCATION

On Demand Curriculum, Peer Learning, Expert Series

SYSTEMS

Best Practices, Technology Based Solutions

SUPPORT

Tools, Resources, Research, Consultants

Ready to Get Started?

ENTREPRENEURS - If you are a Black, Latinx or Woman entrepreneur interested in working with EDLI to grow your business, complete our intake form to be matched with relevant opportunities and resources.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Become a Resource

Interested in new client opportunities working directly with Black, Latinx, and Women owned companies?
‍
Fill out the form that best fits your organization to be considered as part of our resource network.

Business Serving Organizations

Entrepreneurial development organizations, Incubators, Accelerators, Community Business Development Programs

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Professional Services

Services Supporting Small Businesses

TAKE THE NEXT STEP