Welcoming Wesley Alexander to ESO Ventures

Written by Akintunde Ahmad

At a time when communities across the country are searching for real solutions to economic inequality, small business stagnation, and fragmented entrepreneurial support systems, ESO Ventures is continuing to invest in the infrastructure required to build lasting economic mobility.

Today, we are excited to announce that Wesley Alexander has joined ESO Ventures as our new Head of Economic Development and Partnerships.

Wesley’s appointment represents an important step forward in ESO’s next chapter as we continue scaling our entrepreneurial infrastructure model nationally, building deeper relationships with municipalities, ecosystem partners, institutions, and community organizations that are committed to creating more equitable local economies.

With roots on both the East Coast and West Coast, Wesley brings a unique combination of operational leadership, public service, entrepreneurial experience, and community-centered vision to ESO Ventures.

Before joining ESO, Wesley founded and served as CEO of CoBiz Richmond, an intergenerational business incubator and resource hub supporting startups, small businesses, nonprofits, creatives, students, and community members. His work centered on creating spaces where entrepreneurs could access not just resources, but relationships, collaboration, and opportunity.

Prior to launching CoBiz, Wesley managed more than $500 million in budgets and strategic initiatives for Fortune 60 ventures and also served his country as an FBI Special Agent. Across each chapter of his career, a common thread has remained: creating systems that help people and communities thrive.

At ESO Ventures, Wesley will lead economic development partnerships and help expand ESO’s infrastructure model into communities nationwide, ensuring more entrepreneurs can access the tools, education, capital pathways, and support systems necessary to grow sustainable businesses.

His leadership comes at a pivotal moment.

Across the country, entrepreneurs, especially Black, Latino, immigrant, women, and historically underinvested founders, continue to face structural barriers to capital, mentorship, procurement opportunities, and long-term business growth. At the same time, many economic development ecosystems remain fragmented, offering programs without sustained infrastructure, or activity without measurable outcomes.

ESO Ventures was built to address that gap.

Over the past five years, ESO has evolved beyond a traditional incubator model into what we describe as an entrepreneurial infrastructure company and community fund manager. Through initiatives like ESO Next, the ESO Hub, and the Capital in the Community Fund (CICF), ESO is building coordinated systems that support entrepreneurs beyond a single cohort or workshop.

This work requires leadership capable of bridging communities, institutions, governments, and entrepreneurs while building partnerships that can scale impact sustainably.

Wesley embodies that mission.

As Wesley shared:

“Every day, I have the privilege and honor to use my gifts to transform lives in my position with ESO Ventures. We are literally fueling economic inclusion throughout the United States by building the infrastructure to ensure entrepreneurship is accessible and worthwhile in every community.

Considering the current economic challenges and the historical hardships many communities have endured, ESO Ventures offers not only infrastructure but also outcomes that create an atmosphere of dignity, innovation, and shared prosperity for entrepreneurs and the community they serve.

ESO uniquely offers a model that is replicable in every community. That is special.”

Wesley’s passion for economic empowerment, social capital activation, and ecosystem building aligns deeply with ESO’s long-term vision: creating replicable entrepreneurial infrastructure that can strengthen local economies nationwide while centering equity, dignity, and opportunity.

As ESO continues to expand its reach and deepen its impact, we are proud to welcome Wesley Alexander to the team and excited for what lies ahead.

Welcome to ESO Ventures, Wesley.

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