Minority Business Accelerator

Accelerating minority businesses

The Minority Business Accelerator (MBA) was established in 2003 as the result of the recommendations of the Cincinnati Community Action Now Commission. The program is focused on reducing disparity in the region's business community by driving economic activity for African-American and Hispanic-owned companies and increasing employment in underemployed segments of the region. 

Mission

The MBA's mission is to help accelerate the development of sizable minority business enterprises (MBEs) and to strengthen and expand the regional minority entrepreneurial community.

Strategies

To foster a regional business environment that supports the growth of minority-owned businesses, the MBA is focused on encouraging mutually beneficial business relationships between MBEs (the supply side), the corporate community (demand side) and the private sector.

Supply Side (MBEs)

  • The MBA actively seeks new business opportunities for MBEs with major corporate customers, including acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and enhanced capitalizations.
  • A number of business development services and educational opportunities are available to help MBEs plan for the growth of their companies.
  • Ongoing MBA-sponsored networking events introduce MBEs to the corporate community.

The Demand Side (Corporate leaders)

  • To help develop a more robust corporate procurement environment, the MBA meets with corporate leaders to create awareness of the value that MBEs offer as suppliers, customers and investment opportunities.
  • In 2004, the MBA initiated a regional corporate MBE spend-goal strategy to reinforce the positive outcomes that their collective procurement dollars can produce. By helping drive the growth of minority businesses, corporate leaders can make a significant impact in Cincinnati USA by increased employment in minority communities, improved economic conditions of neighborhoods and increased purchasing power.

Results

  • Currently, there are 29 local corporations and nonprofit organizations that commit to an annual spend goal, compared to eight corporations in 2005.
  • The targeted aggregate goal for 2011 was $500 million, a $350 million increase from the 2005 goal of $150 million.
  • More than 80 percent of the MBA portfolio firms have made commitments to spend with other regional minority firms.
  • 37 firms are currently in the MBA portfolio.

 MBA Corporate Goal Setters/ MBA Portfolio Companies

Become informed:

2011 Annual Report 
2011 MBA Review
So what is the MBA? Take a look at this video.
2010 MBA Review
Minority Business Community Assessment: Spring 2010
MBA Services 
MBA Membership Information 
MBA Portfolio Companies Book