Socioeconomic and Demographic Profile

Our work focuses on supporting entrepreneurs who have historically been excluded from traditional economic opportunities. The majority of those we serve come from low-income and minority backgrounds, and we ensure our programs are accessible, inclusive, and culturally relevant.

• Income Levels: About 90% of our participants come from low-to-moderate income (LMI) backgrounds, earning less than $50,000 annually.

• Gender: 80% of our entrepreneurs are women, many of whom face significant barriers to accessing capital and support for starting or growing businesses.

• Ethnic Diversity: We proudly serve a diverse group of entrepreneurs, including:

• 69% Latinx

• 22% African American

• 2% Asian

• 4% Caucasian

• 1% Middle Eastern

• 2% Other ethnicities

Immigrant Communities: Over 40% of our participants are immigrants, and 80% speak English as a second language. We provide entrepreneurship programs in multiple languages to ensure accessibility and cultural relevance.

Geographic Reach

Centro serves entrepreneurs from:

• California: Including the Bay Area (Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose), Central Valley (Fresno, Stockton), and the Inland Empire (San Bernardino and Riverside).

• New York City 

• Florida: With expanding programs in Miami and other major cities.

We aim to expand our reach nationally, bringing our innovative programs to more communities across the United States.

Industries We Support

We work with entrepreneurs across a wide range of industries, helping them overcome unique industry-specific challenges and leverage opportunities for growth. The key sectors we support include:

• Food and Beverage: Many entrepreneurs we serve start food trucks, restaurants, catering services, and small food production businesses. We assist them in navigating local regulations, food safety standards, and financing for equipment and permits.

• Retail and E-commerce: From brick-and-mortar stores to online retail platforms, we help entrepreneurs in fashion, beauty, and consumer goods industries develop solid business models, marketing strategies, and capital access.

• Construction and Trades: Entrepreneurs in construction, plumbing, electrical, and carpentry often need help securing contracts and licensing. We provide resources and training to help them grow their businesses and establish operational solid foundations.

• Health and Wellness: We assist wellness practitioners, fitness coaches, and health-focused businesses, supporting their efforts to scale and serve their communities with holistic health services.

• Creative Services: As the tech industry grows, we support entrepreneurs in tech services, digital marketing, graphic design, and web development by offering access to business training and strategic planning.

Childcare and Education: Many of our participants run small childcare centers or tutoring services. We help them navigate regulatory requirements and secure funding to expand their services to meet community needs.

Challenges We Address

Entrepreneurs in underserved communities face significant barriers that hinder their ability to thrive. These include:

• Limited Access to Capital: Traditional financial institutions often overlook minority and low-income entrepreneurs, leaving them with limited options for financing their business ventures. We connect our participants with vetted microloans, zero-interest loans (e.g., Kiva), and small business grants.

• Culturally Relevant Support: Many business education programs are not designed to address the cultural and linguistic needs of minority communities. We provide customized entrepreneurship training in English, Spanish, and other languages to meet the needs of our participants.

Systemic Barriers: Bias, discrimination, and systemic racism prevent many women and entrepreneurs of color from accessing essential business resources. Our programs are specifically designed to dismantle these barriers and create equitable pathways to success.

Our Impact

Since 2010, Centro has empowered more than 8,600 entrepreneurs, facilitated access to over $7 million in capital, and provided over 13,600 hours of business coaching. By fostering inclusive economic development, we help individuals break the cycle of poverty, build generational wealth, and contribute to the social and economic vibrancy of their communities.

Our Vision for the Future

We envision a world where every entrepreneur, regardless of background, has equal access to the resources, mentorship, and capital needed to succeed. By 2025, we aim to scale our impact to serve over 10,000 entrepreneurs annually across the United States, building a more inclusive and equitable small business ecosystem.

The Entrepreneurship Journey of Graduates

Watch more videos here.

Read the Full Story of Our Amazing Entrepreneurs

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact our Community Succeess team at help@centrocommunity.org or complete the Entrepreneurs Contact Form.