Economic

Mobility

Initiative

Powering Businesses, Empowering Our Communities

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:

Entrepreneurship Academies

Entrepreneurship Academies

Cohort-based Academies offer aspiring and current business owners with 40+ hours of classroom instruction, one-on-one coaching and business assistance. Enroll now for an Entrepreneurship Academy or Youth Entrepreneurship for ages 14-26.

Entrepreneurship Academies

Specialized Training and Support 

Curriculum-based education to business owners and entrepreneurs of all stages including Social Enterprises and Nonprofits. Support available includes government contracting education and assistance, training for nonprofits, and Employee Ownership transition services.

Entrepreneurship Academies

Access to Capital & Commercial Space

Assistance accessing capital via our upcoming Small Business Mobility Fund, opportunities for commercial space via EMI’s Commercial Acquisition Fund and financial incentives for hiring employees via DEO’s America’s Job Centers of California.

Entrepreneurship Academies

Individualized Technical Assistance

Individualized one-on-one technical assistance and support that fits the specific needs of businesses. Support available includes help with recruiting and hiring employees, navigating government contracting, no cost legal assistance, applying for permits, and much more!

ENTREPRENEURSHIP ACADEMY

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

YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP ACADEMY

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

PROCUREMENT ACCELERATOR

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

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

EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP INTENSIVE

Explore if this is the right option for you and your business and get the help you need to make the transition. 

 Available through Project Equity.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE INCUBATOR

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

Presented by Center for Nonprofit Management and REDF.

COMMERCIAL ACQUISITION FUND

Qualify for grants to support the acquisition of vacant or abandoned land and buildings.

 (Not currently accepting new applications)

SMALL BUSINESS MOBILITY FUND

Apply for flexible start-up and scale-up capital for underserved entrepreneurs and business owners 

 (Coming December 2024)

LA COUNTY AMERICA’S JOB CENTER OF CALIFORNIA

Explore business tax credits and hiring incentives like subsidized wages.

Source, Recruit, and Hire Talent

Learn how America’s Job Centers of California can help your workforce grow.

 Available through the Department of Economic Opportunity.

Compete for Government Contracts through APEX Accelerator

Explore how you can market your goods and services to government buyers.

 Available through the Department of Economic Opportunity.

Get Legal Assistance at Any Stage of Your Business

Receive prioritized access to legal aid and connect with legal experts at no cost. 

 Available through the Department of Economic Opportunity.

Business Consultants are ready to help you get your business to the next level!

 Let us help you with the following:

  • Establishing a Business Structure
  • Cash Flow Management and Evaluation
  • Much More…

Announcements

Check Out our Upcoming Cohort-based Academies

Entrepreneurship Academies
The Entrepreneurship Academies, offered by the Economic Mobility Initiative, is designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs and current small business owners with essential skills and knowledge to build and grow their businesses.

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.