Minority-Owned Businesses and Entrepreneurs

RISE Collaborative is committed to supporting the development and growth of minority-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs from underserved communities in Southern and South Central Virginia.

Resources for Minority-Owned Businesses & Entrepreneurs

Virginia Community Capital Economic Equity Fund

The Economic Equity Fund is a $10 million loan fund that provides low-cost financing for small business owners who are women and/or Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) and were disproportionately affected by the economic impact of the pandemic. In addition to low-interest loans for eligible borrowers, resources have been allocated to provide free technical assistance and consulting for eligible small businesses and community-based partners. For information and to apply, visit https://www.vacommunitycapital.org/our-impact/economic-equity-fund/ 

Virginia Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity

The mission of the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD) is to enhance growth opportunities for Virginia’s small businesses to prosper through increased revenue and job creation thereby raising the standard of living for all Virginians. The Virginia SBSD programs include the Small, Women, and Minority-owned (SWaM) business certification program. For information, visit https://www.sbsd.virginia.gov/.

U.S. Small Business Association

SBA is committed to supporting the development and growth of minority-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs from underserved communities. Programs includes the 8(a) Business Development Program, the SBA-Mentor-Protégé Program, and the HUBZone program. For information, visit https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow-your-business/minority-owned-businesses 

Minority Business Networks in Southern and South Central Virginia

Black Business Collaborative of the Dan River Region

Black Business Collaborative of the Dan River Region

The Black Business Collaborative of the Dan River Region is currently in a strategic planning phase.

Minority  Business Consortium of Martinsville & Henry County

Minority Business Consortium of Martinsville & Henry County

Tapestry Network

Tapestry Network

The Tapestry Network is looking to grow by purchasing group membership in Chambers in the South Central Piedmont counties.

The Grapevine Monthly Workgroup

The Grapevine Monthly Workgroup

 The Grapevine Entrepreneur Workgroup meets monthly on Zoom to network, share ideas, and learn from each other. We welcome all entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders in Southern Virginia to join our LinkedIn and Facebook groups to share resources, ask questions, and make connections. Learn More

Minority Business News & Events

Celebrate Black History Month: Support Black Businesses

Celebrate Black History Month: Support Black Businesses

February is Black History Month In honor of Black History Month, RISE Collaborative presents, "The Vibrary," a virtual library of business resources, Black Business facts, and a treasure hunt celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit of Southern Virginia (GO Virginia...

Learn How to Apply for Community Investment Collaborative Loan Funds

Learn How to Apply for Community Investment Collaborative Loan Funds

On November 30, 2022, Stephen Davis of the Community Investment Collaborative joined our RISE Collaborative online meetup. He shared his expertise on how to prepare for loan applications and how to apply for loan funds from the Community Investment Collaborative. The...

Juneteenth celebrations growing in Southern Virginia

Juneteenth celebrations growing in Southern Virginia

What is Juneteenth?  “Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with...

Swimming through the SWaM Certification Process

Swimming through the SWaM Certification Process

SWaM (Small, Women, and Minority owned firms) certification is one of the most powerful marketing tools you can use to grow your sales among state agencies, public colleges and universities, local municipalities. Even large, private sector firms like Dominion utilize...

Past Events

Swimming through SWaM Certification Process

April 28, 2022

SWaM Strong Spring 2022 Procurement Fair

April 26, 2022

Networking with Speed: Canva Workshop with LaShonda Brown

January 18, 2022