Questions?

If you are an entrepreneur, learn more about what ESO has to offer you here.

  • ESO business incubators are completely free for participating entrepreneurs. Our partners and sponsors, such as a California municipality, a community college, or, in some cases, ESO, cover the cost from their operating budget.

  • Yes. As long as you are a business that is registered with the state of California, you can participate in an ESO incubator program. While our initial efforts were hyper-focused on business development in the Bay Area, we serve businesses throughout the state of California.

  • If you have multiple businesses and would like to participate in different incubator cohorts for your different businesses, that is fine. However, you will have to apply and be successfully admitted to each incubator separately.

  • Only entrepreneurs who have completed an ESO Incubator Program have access to the Capital in the Community Fund.

  • If you are interested in bringing ESO Ventures to your community, contact dax@eso-ventures.com

  • ESO entrepreneurs are early-stage entrepreneurs seeking to sustainably scale their businesses. We focus on local entrepreneurs in Black, Latino, and underinvested communities who have a business that is registered with the state of California.

  • No. ESO is a for-profit business in the entrepreneurial support services industry. Our three founders are Black and Latino entrepreneurs in the business of growing entrepreneurial ecosystems. Though we are for profit, our bottom line is not just financial; our focus is on creating inclusive economies that work for everyone. Financial sustainability based on shared prosperity is at the core of our mission.

  • You do not need to be Black or Latino to participate, but the ESO curriculum, community and resources are designed for Black, Latino, and underinvested entrepreneurs. As ESO serves all of California, we value cultural competency and are intentional about creating inclusive spaces for founders who are often left out of traditional incubators and funds. If you want to join ESO, be prepared to become a part of a multi-racial entrepreneurial ecosystem focused on dignity, innovation, and shared prosperity.

  • We’re currently working on a formal membership that offers post-programming for a fee. Stay tuned for more details.

  • Yes. We’re currently working on expanding this program to other California counties. If you know of a community that may benefit from this program or are interested in connecting with us directly, please send us an email at dax@eso-ventures.com.

  • ESO alumni are invited to join our Alumni ESO Hub, where you can:

    • Stay updated on funding opportunities

    • Celebrate and highlight community wins

    • Connect with fellow alumni and the ESO community. Join HERE today!

Questions?

Learn more about the Capital in the Community Fund (CICF)

  • Once you have completed an ESO Incubator and its milestones, you can access the CICF loan details and application through the ESO Alumni Hub. Your business must be formalized, registered, and in good standing with the State of California to qualify.  If you need an invitation to the ESO Alumni Hub, please contact business.services@eso-ventures.com

  • ESO entrepreneurs must complete all required checkpoints on their milestone plan to move up a business stage and access more financing and business services. We operate using a “show and prove” model. Essentially, this means the better your business performs, the more resources you have access to. If you already have outstanding debt with ESO, you must repay at least 70% of the existing debt to be eligible for additional capital. The current maximum financing amount for the CICF is $100,000 per business.

  • Yes. If you have multiple businesses that are registered as separate entities, you can receive  funding for each of those businesses. However, you will have to apply for funding for each business separately.

  • If a special/specific kind of vehicle is necessary for your business needs (for example a delivery truck or van) ESO may consider this on a case by case basis. Speak directly to the CICF team during your application process to determine your eligibility.

  • Starting with Forever Forward Fund (Up to $10,000) at 0% Finance Rate. For businesses in the Grow stage, Golden Ticket Fund (From $10,000 to $50,000) at 5% Finance Rate, and for businesses in Scale stage the Financial Freedom Fund (From $50,000 to $100,000) at 7% Finance Rate.

  • Our fund is only available to ESO community members. This means you must complete an ESO business incubator in order to be eligible for funding. Participation in an incubator ensures that you are prepared to responsibly utilize the capital that you access through CICF to grow your business.

  • Funds received through CICF would be considered a small business loan.  However, we encourage you to view this as an investment in your business due to our alternative repayment plans and requirements to access this funding. All investments must be repaid to ESO based on the terms of the agreement. Repayment begins three months after the money has been disbursed. Financing terms range from 24 to 60 months, depending on the product.

  • At ESO Ventures, we do not want our entrepreneurs to give up a portion of ownership of their business to us. That is why rather than provide equity investments, we provide zero to low interest capital that must be repaid at an agreed upon rate and timeline.

  • At this time, financing from CICF may not be used by business owners to repay state, city, county, or federal debt such as to pay a tax bill, compliance, or renewal purposes. Cannabis businesses are also ineligible for financing through CICF.