Senator Eldridge Supports the Entrepreneur Forum in Advancing Opportunities for Underrepresented Communities in Business
The Minority Business Development Agency Capital Readiness grant would expand the eForum’s entrepreneurship programing targeting BIPOC Communities
Boston, MA - State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) has written a letter of support for the Entrepreneur Forum’s Application to the Minority Business Development Agency's (MBDA) Capitol Readiness Program grant. This grant is targeted at supporting minority, women, and other underserved entrepreneurs in initiating and expanding their endeavors, with a special focus on building capacity, attracting and providing access to capital opportunities, and increasing access to networks. The eForum, previously known as the MIT Enterprise Forum, is an organization that supports new entrepreneurs. Participants are connected with an experienced network of professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, and legal, intellectual property and accounting experts who offer mentoring and virtual interactive classes.
Beginning in 2020, the eForum launched an initiative to specifically support BIPOC founders & entrepreneurs. This includes tuition free classes and mentoring, supported by grants, corporate sponsorships and memberships.This funding of $3M over four years would enable them to offer programming to more socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs and provide classes and materials tailored to specific communities.
Senator Eldridge (D-Marlborough) wrote, “This urgently needed and timely funding will enable the eForum to build on its successful entrepreneurship programming to underserved communities, specifically targeted at the BIPOC, women, veterans, LGBTQ and minority led companies, across Massachusetts and the New England region. In a district that is becoming increasingly diverse, this grant would help the Entrepreneur Forum better serve many of my constituents.”
The award start date is anticipated to be July 1, 2023 for programs that receive the grant.
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