Our Milestone Loan Partners
Sole Folks
Sole Folks is a retail incubator for young designers and artisans from underserved communities, under the nonprofit Sole Folks Community Development Corporation 501(c)(3). Located in historic Leimert Park Village, it provides a space for minority businesses to learn about bringing products to market. The Sole Folks Art Lab offers a 12-week program for millennial entrepreneurs aged 16-25, featuring 36 strategy sessions covering product development, sourcing, brand identity, preproduction, e-commerce marketing, launch prep, retail, and community investment.
Services Include:
Classes and workshops on small business development
Financial tools and resources necessary to develop, grow, and scale business operations
Technical support in the areas of product development, design, and marketing
Access to a community of artrepreneurs, entrepreneurs, and business owners
Networking opportunities, community events, and access to our family of supporters
Mentorship by industry leaders and dedicated staff
Contact: Jenn Laurent - jenn@solefolks.com
Yacanex Community
Yacanex Community is an organization that focuses on education and entrepreneurship in underserved communities in Santa Clara County, with an emphasis on the Latino population.
Services Include:
Classes and workshops regarding small business development
Financial tools and resources necessary to develop, grow and scale business operations
Technical support in the area of product development, design and marketing
Access to a community of entrepreneurs and business owners
Networking opportunities
1-1 Business Consulting
Contact: Yacanex Posadas -maestro@yacanex.com
BELLA
Bella empowers Latina entrepreneurs, driving transformative change in local communities. Focused on the East and South side of Los Angeles, Bella offers resources and support to fuel business growth and celebrate the resilience of Latina entrepreneurs building wealth for their families and communities.
Services Include:
Small Business Program
Financial Management
Digital Expansion
Business Strategy
Networking Opportunities
Contact: Rocio Flores - rocio@bella-entrepreneurs.org
Solano County Black Chamber of Commerce
The Solano County Black Chamber of Commerce is a Non-Profit organization located in Solano County and covers all seven cities. Although a Black Chamber, the SCBCC promotes and supports businesses in ALL communities and all ethnicities. The SCBCC is the largest Chamber in Solano County with over 1000 members of all ethnicities. We support businesses from start-up to expert level.
Services Include:
SCBCC Business Developers (One-on-One Consulting Program)
Virtual Office Spaces
Office Space and Workstations (Leases and Day to Day rentals)
Small Business Incubators
Entrepreneurship Academy
Business Workshops
Networking Opportunities
Contact: Tamuri Richardson - tamuri@solanoblackchamber.com
LEEAF
LEEAF’s research and policy efforts optimize its programs for maximum impact while also working to shift social narratives and economic systems toward greater equity and opportunity.
Academies directly target expressed needs of businesses with comprehensive workshop series; each series is tied to specific outcomes and deliverables for business growth
Accelerator & Fellowship creates a unified model among young entrepreneurs and diverse small business leaders, reinforcing resiliency, strategic growth, and workforce development.
Advising & Deliverables strategically accelerate equity and growth by guiding business leaders to partner programs, resources, and assets that put learned strategies into practice.
Contact:
Kathleen Ramseyer - kat@leeaf.la
Sebastian DeVivo - seb@listventures.co
The Unity Council
The Unity Council is a non-profit Social Equity Development Corporation with over 60 years of history in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland. Our mission is to promote social equity and improve quality of life by building vibrant communities where everyone can work, learn, and thrive.
Contact:
Jordan Garcia - jogarcia@unitycouncil.org
Renaissance Center
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming lives and communities through entrepreneurship. We provide small business training, one-on-one consulting, access to capital, and ongoing support to help entrepreneurs start, sustain, and grow their businesses. Our mission is to empower individuals—particularly those facing barriers to economic opportunity—to achieve financial independence for themselves and their families.
Contact:
KYCC
KYCC’s Small Business Development program offers various business services for small businesses in Koreatown. As a partner of the Small Business Administration’s Community Navigator Pilot Program, CalOSBA’s Technical Assistance Program grant recipient, and a member of the Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Collaborative, KYCC is here to provide expert guidance and advice on how to start, manage, and grow your own business. All small business services are available in English, Korean, and Spanish.
Services Include:
1-on-1 Business Counseling
Access to Capital
Business Skills Workshops
Entrepreneurial Training Program
Procurement Opportunities
Technical Assistance
Contact: Martin Kim - martinkim@kyccla.org
CHCC Foundation
The California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce is the leading regional Hispanic and ethnic business organization in the Nation. The CHCC and its network of over 120 chambers and associations represent the interest of California's 815,000 Hispanic-owned businesses.
Through its advocacy, education, and empowerment programs, the CHCC brings California's small business community education, resources, and provides technical assistance as well as access to capital to help them manage and grow their business.
Services Include:
Educational programs
Technical assistance
Access to capital
Contact: Oscar Garcia - oscar@cahcc.com
VIVA Foundation
VIVA FOUNDATION is committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, and equitable economy for marginalized communities in the United States. They support small businesses through educational programs, small business loans, and immigration advisory services. Their mission is to promote business growth and sustainability.
Services Include:
Classes and workshops regarding small business development
Financial tools and resources necessary to develop, grow and scale business operations
Access to a community of entrepreneurs and business owners
Networking opportunities
1-1 Business Consulting
Contact: Byron Escobar - byron.escobar@vivafoundation.us
CIELO
CIELO's mission is to catalyzes hope, resilience, and stability in under-resourced communities by helping hardworking individuals transform their dreams of owning a neighborhood business into reality. CIELO provides personalized entrepreneurial training and support to immigrants and communities of color, equipping them with the knowledge and resources to succeed.
Contact:
Erick Pineda - epineda@cielocommunity.org
Immigrants Rising
Immigrants Rising strives to increase educational access and opportunities for undocumented people through institutional policy changes and direct support to empower educators, students, and communities
Contact:
Luis Perez - entrepreneurship@immigrantsrising.org
Pars Equality Center (PARS)
Pars Equality Center (PARS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Iranian and other immigrant communities in the United States. With offices in Los Angeles, San Jose, and Fremont, PARS provides free or low-cost legal immigration services, social and mental health support, workforce development, senior programs, and cultural enrichment activities. Pars'mission is to help newcomers achieve self-sufficiency, integration, and civic engagement while preserving cultural identity and dignity.
Contact:
Ali Taheri - ataheri@parsequalitycenter.org
Thinkwatts Foundation
Thinkwatts Foundation is a 501c3 organization dedicated to uplifting underserved communities. Founded by Brandon “Stix” Salaam-Bailey, the foundation has consistently delivered a diverse range of programs and services, such as entrepreneurship workshops, financial literacy education, and workforce development.
Services Include:
Financial literacy
Entrepreneurship assistance
Sewing and printing machines to manufacture clothing
A music studio
Office space and desks
A coding classroom
Contact: Angelica Urquidez - angie@thinkwatts.com
United Alliance for Economic Development
The United Alliance for Economic Development is an organization that provides small business support.
Services Include:
Educational programs
Technical assistance
Access to capital
Contact: Jim Escobedo - jescobedo.abc@gmail.com
MCS Los Angeles
MCS Business Source Center serves as a dedicated resource hub for entrepreneurs and small businesses in Los Angeles. Its mission is to empower businesses on their journey, providing tailored guidance from expert consultants. From business licenses to loans, MCS offers comprehensive support. With convenient locations in San Pedro and Reseda, MCS is committed to fostering success, all at no cost.
Services Include:
Business development classes and workshops
Financial tools and resources for growth
Access to a vibrant entrepreneur community
Networking opportunities
Personalized 1-on-1 business consulting
Contact: Jessica Acevedo - Jessica@MCSLosAngeles.com
Thai CDC
Thai CDC’s mission is to advance the social and economic well-being of low- and moderate-income Thais and other ethnic communities in the greater Los Angeles area through a broad and comprehensive community development strategy including human rights advocacy, affordable housing, access to healthcare, promotion of small businesses, neighborhood empowerment, and social enterprises.
Contact:
Adul Doheng - adul@thaicdc.org
Grid110
Grid110 is an economic and community development non-profit dedicated to creating clear pathways to success for early-stage entrepreneurs. Through our cohort-based accelerator programs, we provide founders with a growing community of fellow entrepreneurs, expert mentorship, and critical resources.
Over the past 8 years, Grid110 has supported 300+ companies across various business verticals and stages through our programs (70% women founders, 77% founders of color), along with thousands of entrepreneurs through free events and workshops. Our alumni have gone on to programs like Techstars, YCombinator, 500 Startups, have raised $123M+ in outside capital, and have created 622 local jobs.
Contact:
Juan Young - juan@grid110.org
Sunday Friends
Sunday Friends’ Dream. Build. Mentor. (DBM) Lab is a 3-month incubator helping underserved entrepreneurs launch and grow businesses. Participants gain hands-on training in marketing, branding, and operations while building community support. The program empowers families to break cycles of poverty, create opportunity, and uplift their communities.
Services Include:
Networking opportunities
Access to mentors and subject matter experts
Coworking space
One on one business consulting
Business strategy and execution
Access to technology
Case management
Food and basic necessities
Contact:
Andy Garcia-Romo - andy@sundayfriends.org
Bethel LA CDC
Bethel LA CDC uses an asset-based, trauma-informed approach to uplift communities and inspire long-lasting change. Through its BEST Mobile Accelerator, the organization provides small business outreach, entrepreneurial training, one-on-one consulting, executive coaching, technical assistance, and support for accessing capital.
Services Include:
Entrepreneurial Training
One2One Consulting
Executive Coaching
Technical Assistance
Access to Capital
Contact:
Frank Stokes - best1genesis@gmail.com