Disparities in education, health, income, and wealth between the White and the Black, Indigenous, Latino, Asian, and immigrant populations in the Twin Cities are large and egregious. This is no less so in the business community, where non-white and immigrant entrepreneurs have been largely excluded from the capital system, resources, and networks accessible to white entrepreneurs. For families in underinvested communities, business ownership is a pathway to financial stability, self-reliance, pride, and wealth.
Black, Indigenous, Latino, Asian, and immigrant-owned small businesses are disproportionally low to their population size in the Twin Cities. These existing businesses have a lower growth rate and revenue base. A major barrier for business startups and expansions is a risk-averse small business capital ecosystem in the Twin Cities.