Meda’s programs and initiatives are focused on helping entrepreneurial ventures by lending funds to minority-owned small businesses and providing easy access to BIPOC business credits.
This October, Meda will host an eventful business-plan competition modeled on the television show “Shark Tank.” The competition will include a speed-pitching event, educational opportunities, a business accelerator and four finalist awards, including a collective $1 million investment in the finalists’ businesses.
Catalyst is a consortium of seven Minnesota-based organizations that support minority entrepreneurs and their businesses. We are pioneering an incentive-driven, collaborative model that will dramatically increase the quality and quantity of services available to minority businesses and bring their collective economic impact to scale.
The Expanding Black Business Credit Initiative (EBBC) is an effort to close gaps that Black entrepreneurs face in starting and maintaining businesses due to less access to formal credit. The EEBC brings together Community Development Financial Institutions, such as Meda, to expand Black business credit by 250 percent over the next three to five years.
Kauffman Entrepreneur Policy Network
The Kauffman Foundation recently announced that Meda has been selected as one of six entrepreneur support organizations as a grant recipient to form the first-ever Entrepreneurs’ Policy Network, an alliance of organizations that will bring the voices of entrepreneurs to policy debates at the state level.
Otto Bremer Small Business Fund
The Otto Bremer Trust is collaborating with Meda to create the Otto Bremer Small Business Fund, which will provide $1 million in patient capital to minority entrepreneurs, allowing them more freedom to grow their businesses without immediate pressure to repay their loans.
Unleashing Latino-owned Business Potential
In the Spring of 2017, the Aspen Institute Latinos and Society Program convened the Aspen Institute Forum on Latino Business Growth, bringing together 27 thought leaders – including Meda’s President & CEO, Gary L. Cunningham – to develop practical solutions to address the barriers that Latino-owned business owners face.
MN Cup Minority Entrepreneur Initiative
Meda has partnered with JPMorgan Chase to award the Most Innovative Minority Entrepreneur category in the MN Cup competition. In 2017, the $20,000 prize was awarded to UnderRecruited Preps for their technology, rapid growth, and business success.
Black Business Convenings
In the Spring of 2017, the Aspen Institute Latinos and Society Program convened the Aspen Institute Forum on Latino Business Growth, bringing together 27 thought leaders – including Meda’s President & CEO, Gary L. Cunningham – to develop practical solutions to address the barriers that Latino-owned business owners face.