Many microbusinesses take on debt to accelerate growth or to meet payroll, stock inventory, and fulfill other day-to-day requirements. How an entrepreneur manages that debt as part of their overall financial management can lead to significant differences in the financial trajectory of the business and the owner. 

Join us for a virtual convening where we will present new research findings on trajectories for entrepreneurs and feature a panel discussion between speakers with expertise supporting and lending to microentrepreneurs. We will highlight several key lessons for community development financial institutions and other mission lenders, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and policymakers to tailor supports in a way that can promote a thriving ecosystem of microbusinesses. 

Speakers

• Marisa Barrera, Acting CEO, DreamSpring

• Gwyneth Galbraith, Vice President, Global Philanthropy, JPMorganChase 

• Chean Lawrence, Risk and Business Analytics Manager, LiftFund

• Noah McDaniel, Research Associate, Urban Institute

• Nicole Van Der Tuin, Chief Experience Officer, Accion Opportunity Fund

• Brett Theodos, Director, Center for Local Finance and Growth, Urban Institute (moderator)

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. Please email [email protected] if you require any accommodations or have any questions about this event.

This event was supported by a grant from JPMorganChase as part of the shared objective to advance economic mobility through data and research. We are grateful to them and to all our funders, who make research like this possible. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute, its trustees, or its funders, including JPMorganChase. Funders do not determine research findings or the insights and recommendations of Urban experts or the underlying methodology. For more on Urban’s funding policies, go to urban.org/organizational-principles