About the Initiative

The Economic Mobility Initiative (EMI) is the County’s leading collaborative for business owners, entrepreneurs, and social enterprises. EMI provides a coordinated and customized approach across 15+ local partners to ensure you have access to all programs, services, and resources to not only start-up and grow, but advance economic mobility, build resiliency and generational wealth, and close the gender and racial wealth gap.

As part of EMI, you may be eligible to benefit from the following:

Technical Assistance
and Support

Individualized technical assistance and support that fits the specific needs of businesses. Whether you need help navigating County permits or getting established, EMI can help your business get to the next level!

Access to Capital
and Commercial Space

Assistance accessing capital and opportunities for commercial space through loan packaging and programs, including EMI’s Commercial Acquisition Fund and Economic Mobility Fund (forthcoming).

In-Depth Education
and Training

Curriculum-based education to business owners and entrepreneurs of all stages including Social Enterprise and Nonprofit Growth, Entrepreneurship Academies, Youth Academy, and Procurement Accelerator.

In-Depth Education and Training

Do you need help starting and growing your business? Enroll in a LA County Entrepreneurship Cohort to walk away with a business strategy that meets both your operations and people management needs! Accommodations available for in-person or online courses in both English and Spanish. 

LA County Entrepreneurship Academy 

Participate in 8- to 10-week cohorts that provide technical assistance, mentorship, and entrepreneurship training. 

Cohorts available in every Supervisorial District and presented by partners including Los Angeles Economic Equity Accelerator & Fellowship (LEEAF), Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC), Initiating Change in our Neighbors (ICON CDC), and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

Youth Entrepreneurship Academy at Best Buy Teen Tech Center

Join aspiring youth entrepreneurs and build financial and social capital, plus learn how to launch your tech career and entrepreneurship journey. 

Presented by Next Shift Learning. 

Social Enterprise: Incubator for Nonprofits and Sustainability Program 

Explore revenue generating options as a nonprofit or level up your existing social enterprise. 

Presented by Center for Nonprofit Management and REDF

Get Certified & Contract with Government with One LA 

Learn how to get certified and competitively bid for government contracts. 

 Presented by the Los Angeles Area Chamber’s One LA Program.

Kelly LoBianco
Director of the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity
By partnering with community-based organizations and leveraging their expertise, the Economic Mobility Initiative is poised to offer personalized business assistance from the concept stage to growth. This comprehensive support system is designed to catalyze sustainable, multi-generational economic growth.

This program is made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act and a June 2021 motion introduced by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors that aimed to support BIPOC, women, and other historically disinvested communities overcome barriers to small business start up and growth.