ESO Ventures

"Black and Brown-owned businesses contribute to the economic vitality of communities across the United States. They’re the fuel to local neighborhoods and collective prosperity. They open doors to opportunities for communities of color. And yet, Black and Latinx entrepreneurs received less than .5% of venture capital dollars in 2023. ESO Ventures was born out of a need to change that." Read the full blog post here: https://hubs.ly/Q02MnzxS0

Did you know August is Black Business Month? Read to learn about the history of how this came to be, and the work that is still being done to make entrepreneurship equitable.

ESO Ventures is all about preparing Black and Latino entrepreneurs to grow their businesses during our incubator experience, and then injecting working capital into their enterprises once they are prepared to effectively utilize the investment. In under two years, we've already distributed over $4 million of affordable capital to our entrepreneurs' businesses, and this is just the business. You can learn more about ESO's Capital in the Community Fund here: https://hubs.ly/Q02M5S3Z0

Local neighborhoods are the lifeblood of our communities. They’re also where small businesses can drive true social impact. At ESO, we work to uplift the folks investing in impact through local entrepreneurship, promoting economic equity and prosperity with the power of small business. ESO—an acronym for Entrepreneurial Support Organization and a nod to our birthplace (East Side Oakland)—may have roots in the Bay Area, but we partner with entrepreneurs across the entire state of California. Our team members leverage their diverse skills and strengths to ensure every entrepreneur in our ecosystem receives well-rounded, practical and strategic support. From seasoned marketing strategists to financial wizards, every member of ESO is committed to your business expansion and holistic, professional growth. Learn more at https://hubs.ly/Q02MgMv70

ESO Ventures is all about preparing Black and Latino entrepreneurs to grow their businesses during our incubator experience, and then injecting working capital into their enterprises once they are prepared to effectively utilize the investment. In under two years, we've already distributed over $4 million of affordable capital to our entrepreneurs' businesses, and this is just the business. You can learn more about ESO's Capital in the Community Fund here: https://hubs.ly/Q02M5S3Z0

While founded in Oakland, ESO has branched its wings throughout the Bay Area and the state of California, bringing entrepreneurial support services and funding to small business to your local communities, now extending to Santa Rosa! In partnership with the Bay Area Community College Consortium, ESO's upcoming incubator will have a presence at Diablo Valley College, Cañada College, Merritt College, Contra Costa College, West Valley College, Santa Rosa Junior College, and College of Marin. If you or somebody you know is a viable candidate, we're less than a week away from closing our applications (August 23rd)! You can find more info and sign up here: https://hubs.ly/Q02LNsGj0

Yesterday, our CEO Martha Hernández, SHRM-SCP spoke about the Future of Money for Small Businesses at the Future of Money Day in Oakland’s Jack London. Sponsored by Marqeta and Visa, this event brought together industry leaders to discuss the future of small business financing and accessible capital, with a particular emphasis on businesses in the Bay Area. Congrats Martha! It’s always a great to see ESO being represented on such important platforms. Thank you to Marqeta for including us!

Providing accessible and affordable capital to historically underserved entrepreneurs is integral to ESO's mission. We know it takes money to make money, and it's take resources to rebuild thriving communities and healthy economic ecosystems in American cities.

In 2023, 69% of entrepreneurs that completed an ESO Ventures incubator identified as women, and 68% of the businesses we funded were women owned. Supporting female entrepreneurs isn't just a moral imperative—it's an economic powerhouse. Did you know that businesses owned by women contribute a staggering $2.7 trillion annually to the U.S. economy? In fact, the growth of women-owned businesses outpaced men’s for firms, employment, and revenue during the pandemic and post-pandemic in 2023. When we invest in female entrepreneurs, we’re not only fostering innovation and creativity but also fueling growth that benefits us all. Let’s continue to uplift and support these incredible leaders who are driving change and shaping the future. #WomenInBusiness #FemaleEntrepreneurs #EconomicGrowth #SupportWomen

Calculated risks are a mandatory part of entrepreneurship. Every decision involves weighing what you want to achieve against what you're willing to risk. While there's no foolproof path to success, carefully assessing potential outcomes and making informed choices can help you navigate the uncertainties. Success often comes to those who are willing to take these strategic risks while keeping a clear vision of their goals. As part of our incubator programming, entrepreneurs take inventory of the current state of their businesses and assess their goals in relation to their available resources and time. You can learn more about our upcoming incubators at https://hubs.ly/Q02KTxW40