Business Support Organizations
Join local organizations that will help you grow your network and get advice about your business
Alliance for Community Development
The Alliance for Community Development is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs in the Bay Area. They provide access to capital, mentorship, and educational resources to help diverse small business owners grow and thrive. Learn more about their programs and how they can support your business at the Alliance for Community Development website.
AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center
AnewAmerica helps women, immigrants, and minorities start and grow their businesses with training and one-on-one advice. They have a center right here in Oakland. Learn more at anewamerica.org.
East Bay Small Business Development Center
The East Bay Small Business Development Center provides free consulting and seminars, along with connections to additional resources, to local business owners. Learn more about their services at the East Bay Small Business Development Center website.
ESO Ventures
ESO Ventures helps new business owners learn and grow. They offer programs to build skills and get funding. Visit www.eso-ventures.com.
Centro Community Partners
The Centro Community Partners is an Oakland-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering low-to-moderate income entrepreneurs through entrepreneurship education, one-on-one coaching, financial literacy, and access to capital. They offer programs to start, fund, and grow businesses—like microloan support via their Centro Capital Hub—and provide ongoing mentorship to help diverse founders succeed. Learn more about how they can support your business on the Centro Community Partners website.
Inner City Advisors
Inner City Advisors (ICA) is an organization that helps build inner city businesses that create good jobs and invest in the community. They provide their Portfolio Companies and other local entrepreneurs with high caliber consulting, strategic advice, entrepreneurship education and access to resources and professional networks. Learn more at Inner City Advisors.
Kapor
Kapor Capital invests in startups that solve real-world problems, especially for underrepresented communities. They support tech and mission-driven companies. Learn more at www.kaporcapital.com.
OCCUR NOW
OCCUR supports Oakland’s underrepresented communities through economic programs, housing help, and training. They help business owners connect with local leaders and grow. Visit occurnow.org .
Port Labs
Port Labs is a 22,000 sq. ft. innovation hub in Uptown Oakland designed for early-stage physical product companies. Entrepreneurs can access coworking space, prototyping tools, private offices, and expert startup support. Learn more about memberships, programs, and prototyping resources at www.portlabs.co.
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center
The mission of Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center is to grow the entrepreneurial capacities of socially and economically diverse women and men and strengthen communities through the creation of sustainable new businesses, new jobs and the promotion of financial self-sufficiency. Learn more at the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center.
Runway
Runway supports Black and Brown entrepreneurs with money and coaching. They focus on closing the funding gap. Learn more at www.runway.org.
SCORE East Bay
SCORE gives free mentoring and low-cost classes to people who want to start or grow a business. They also offer helpful tools and templates. Learn more at score.org/eastbay
Start Small Think Big
This group connects small business owners with volunteer experts in law, finance, and marketing—all for free. They help businesses from many backgrounds succeed. Visit startsmallthinkbig.org
Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative
Uptima teaches creative and social entrepreneurs how to start and grow businesses. They offer classes, one-on-one advising, and a supportive community. You can find out more at uptimacoop.com
Visit the Neighborhood Business Assistance Center to learn about other organizations that can help you and your business.
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