Thriving communities depend on strong local businesses.
Thrive + Prosper’s Business Ownership + Entrepreneurship workstream focuses on strengthening the small business ecosystem by reducing fragmentation and aligning support around the real needs of entrepreneurs.
Through greater coordination across organizations, this work helps more residents access the capital, mentorship and connections needed to launch and grow businesses that contribute to long-term economic mobility.
Expanding Access to Business Ownership
Entrepreneurship already plays a meaningful role in the region’s economy, with hundreds of minority-owned businesses generating significant revenue.
Why It Matters
Strengthening the systems that help business owners access capital, customers and trusted guidance makes it easier for more entrepreneurs to build businesses that create jobs and long-term economic mobility.
This collaboration focuses on four key priorities:
- Increasing resource sharing across the entrepreneurial ecosystem
- Helping businesses access the appropriate capital stack
- Expanding connections to customers and procurement opportunities
- Attracting and scaling emerging market businesses in Grand Rapids
308
Black-owned and Hispanic-owned businesses with $250K+ in annual revenue in Kent County. At the same time, access to capital and coordinated support remains uncertain for many aspiring entrepreneurs.
42%
Residents who say they would have access to capital if they had a business idea in Kent County.
Featured Initiatives
4C Framework
The 4C Framework is a shared advising model that aligns support across Connectors, Customers, Capital and Coaches to better serve entrepreneurs.
Coordinated by a portfolio manager, the 4C Framework shifts support from one-time interactions toward ongoing partnerships that help entrepreneurs build durable businesses and stronger local ecosystems over time.
Grand Rapids Entrepreneurial Collaborative
A network of Entrepreneur Support Organizations piloting the 4C Framework and strengthening coordination to better support small businesses.
Construction Allies in Action
An initiative advancing underrepresented contractors through access to services, procurement readiness and relationship-driven support.
Opportunity Ventures
A resident-driven grantmaking program led by the Urban League of West Michigan and Heart of West Michigan United Way that enables community members to identify and advance solutions to local challenges.
Opportunity Empowered
A resident-driven grantmaking program led by the Urban League of West Michigan and Heart of West Michigan United Way that enables community members to identify and advance solutions to local challenges.
Impact
15+
businesses and entrepreneur support organizations piloting the 4C Framework
19+
businesses receiving capital support
57+
businesses receiving other forms of support
254+
jobs created
$625,000+
capital deployed
Get Involved.
Want to help expand opportunities for entrepreneurs in Grand Rapids?
Complete the form to learn how you can partner with business leaders, investors and community organizations working to strengthen the small business ecosystem and support long-term economic mobility.
