Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) has recently revealed the 2024 EY Entrepreneurs Access Network (EAN) program, with 36 Black and Hispanic/Latino entrepreneurs being chosen for the 12-month business accelerator. The program is specifically tailored for CEOs and founders from diverse backgrounds, offering them access to assessments, personalized coaching, a tailor-made curriculum, online tools, and a well-established network of entrepreneurs to aid in accelerating their businesses.
The selection process for this program is based on the participants’ leadership skills, business acumen, company culture, level of innovation, and potential for scalability. This approach aims to assist entrepreneurs of colour in overcoming barriers such as lack of access to capital and networks, which can impede their growth.
According to the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, entrepreneurs of colour play a pivotal role in the economy, with over 8 million businesses generating $1.4 trillion in revenue. Nevertheless, challenges such as lack of access to capital and limited networks persist, making programs like EAN pivotal in closing these gaps and empowering diverse entrepreneurs.
The 36 individuals selected for the 2024 cohort represent a variety of industries, including technology, healthcare, retail, and finance. They are addressing different challenges and needs, from developing products to simplify parenting, to creating energy-efficient solutions for under-represented communities, and providing technology consulting services. The program aims to provide these entrepreneurs with the necessary support and resources to help them scale their businesses, raise capital, and undergo digital transformation.
Lee Henderson, Americas EY Private Leader and Executive Sponsor of EAN, expressed the company’s commitment to supporting the new cohort and emphasized the impact of the EAN community in helping participants secure major contracts, funding, and valuable business partnerships. The goal is not only to support these businesses in their growth but also have a significant impact on their communities and the overall economy.
The EY Entrepreneurs Access Network Program Director, Nit Reeder, shared that the 2024 cohort members highlighted their concerns and priorities, indicating adaptability to changing markets, customer retention, and lack of access to capital as top concerns. The program is tailored to address these key focus areas, leveraging the extensive experience of EY US in working with diverse entrepreneurs to understand their opportunities and challenges.
For more information about the EY Entrepreneurs Access Network program, you can visit ey.com/EAN. Additionally, you can find more details about this year’s cohort members by visiting ean-directory.ey.com and searching by cohort year, industry, and geography.
EY remains committed to building a better working world and creating long-term value for clients, people, and society. Through their global organization, EY supports entrepreneurs and businesses worldwide, providing them with the resources and support they need to thrive in today’s complex business landscape.
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