National institute opens new Charlotte office on college campus to supports entrepreneurs in the Queen City

It’s an unusual combination, one not found on any other university campus in NC.

National institute opens new Charlotte office on college campus to supports entrepreneurs It’s an unusual combination, one not found on any other university campus in NC.

By Andrew Barnett

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QC Life) - The National Institute of Minority Economic Development recently opened its new Charlotte office on the campus of UNC Charlotte on Wednesday, Dec. 1 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The institute’s turnkey services for diverse small businesses are a unique contribution to UNC Charlotte’s PORTAL Industry-University Partnership Hub, and to building a more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem for the Charlotte region.

The institute’s Women’s Business Center (WBC) serves hundreds of aspiring or growing women-owned businesses annually, roughly 80 percent of whom are led by Black women, helping them overcome businesses challenges, build resiliency, and access the capital they need to grow.

Institute Capital (ICAP) is a US Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), offering loans for small businesses and community development organizations that face a variety of systemic barriers to traditional financing.

And the Institute’s Center for Professional Services offers consulting services to the public and private sector, helping to improve policies and pathways for diverse suppliers and help organizations commit to and achieve diversity, equity and inclusion.

Officials say co-locating these services in the PORTAL Building offers the Institute new visibility through a premier workspace and innovation center for regional and global business pioneers. It’s an unusual combination, one not found on any other university campus in NC.

We spoke with Kevin J. Price, President & CEO of the National Institute of Minority Economic Development, along with Rocio Gonzalez, Executive Director of the Women’s Business Center-Charlotte on QC@3.

Copyright 2022 WBTV. All rights reserved.

QC at 3
Andrew Barnett

Andrew Barnett

Andrew Barnett is a young writer from Alabama. A lifetime music lover and enthusiast. He has been writing for years and has published several places ranging from AllHipHop.com to Raycom Media’s Digital Hub before joining WBTV. He writes about any and everything, from news and politics to music and sports, and is a lover of research and learning.