MBDA's Capital Access Initiative focuses on identifying and implementing innovative financing solutions for minority business enterprises (MBEs) in the current economic and financial environment. As part of this Initiative, MBDA held its first Stakeholders’ Meeting on February 19, 2009 to discuss financing issues impacting minority firms and to identify major areas for public and private sector partners to work jointly to increase the flow of capital to MBEs.   The second Stakeholders’ Meeting will be held on:

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at the U.S. Department of Commerce, located at 1401 Constitution Avenue, N. W., Room 1414, Washington, D. C. 20230 (1:00 – 3:30 p.m. EDT)

The second meeting will be comprised of representatives of the federal government that administer capital programs, minority business advocacy and trade associations, capital providers (debt and equity), and policy institutes that support the increase of flow of capital to MBEs.  The discussion will focus on accessing TARP Funds, utilizing minority-owned banks, mezzanine financiers and other equity funds that serve the minority-owned firms.  The discussions from the meeting will serve as the framework for our upcoming Capital Access Forum scheduled for May 11-12, 2009 in Washington, D.C.

In addition, MBDA will commission the development of a research study on innovative financing solutions for MBEs. The research study will draw from current research on capital access and use, existing government programs, and new programs that result from private and public sector collaboration.  The study is expected to be released at the National Minority Enterprise Development Week Conference in Washington, D.C., September 2009.