Individual Wealth Building

American Underground provides high-growth potential technology, consumer product, digital health, and social enterprise startups with a range of resources including workspace, free one-on-one consultations with local business and innovation experts, and business development programs.  Launched in Durham in 2010, American Underground now operates four locations across the Durham area and supports about 275 start-up companies, nearly half of which are led by women and/or people of color.  From 2016-2017, American Underground companies created 608 jobs, obtained $39.4 million in total funding, and spent nearly $2 million at local businesses.

Aiming to establish a resource for all new and growing Ithaca businesses, as well as provide support to student start-ups after graduation, Ithaca’s educational anchors (i.e., Cornell University, Ithaca College, and Tompkins-Cortland Community) partnered to create Rev Ithaca StartUp Works.  Opened in 2014, Rev offers business mentorship, workspace, and startup resources for any new or growing business that will create jobs in the community.  Committed to supporting the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Rev also hosts a range of events to promote discussion, collaboration, and education.  Rev currently has 33 member businesses.

Entrepreneur Works strives to create pathways of opportunity for talented yet underserved entrepreneurs.  To do so, the nonprofit provides entrepreneurs in the Philadelphia region with access to microloans, business training, and one-on-one support.  Since its formation in 1989, Entrepreneur Works has supported over 4,000 entrepreneurs and has made over 400 loans totaling $1.2 million.