Case Study

Disenfranchised minority groups have historically and currently been excluded from the same access to capital opportunities to start and grow their business as their white counterparts. According to findings from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (2019), Black entrepreneurs are nearly three times more likely than White entrepreneurs to have business growth and profitability negatively impacted by a lack of financial capital. In Chicago, 80% of Black and Latinx entrepreneurs’ equity capital needs go unmet. Access to capital for African American entrepreneurs has garnered increased attention since 2020. Many entities have realized the importance of entrepreneurship ecosystem building because it strengthens the local business environment thus improving community viability. This dissertation explores what components make up a sustainable and prosperous entrepreneurial ecosystem for under resourced entrepreneurs in Chicago. A case study of three organizations that service Black entrepreneurs will be used to examine the Chicago entrepreneurship ecosystem in communities of color. The primary research findings reinforce previous research that the lack of access to start up and growth capital and other resources for minority entrepreneurs significantly decreases their chances to be successful with their particular ventures. Additional findings indicate that social enterprises can greatly enhance the entrepreneurship ecosystem by providing flexible equity and equity like capital investments to under-resourced entrepreneurs. Please contact us if you would like to read more.