Accelerate Your Business Growth

ESO’s Infrastructure Stack is a system built to equip Black, Latino, and underinvested entrepreneurs with the tools, capital, and community needed to grow and scale.

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A Scalable Incubator for Communities Ready to Invest in Their Own Talent

Every city has the ingredients for a thriving economy: creativity, grit, and people who know how to get things done. What’s often missing isn’t talent. It’s infrastructure.

ESO Next was built for cities, counties, and communities ready to change.

Secure funding tailored exclusively to ESO entrepreneurs

Small businesses in the Central Valley face one of the lowest rates of access to capital in the state, despite the region’s critical role in California’s economy. ESO Ventures avoids duplicating efforts; instead, it fills clear gaps. In each location, the Stack is adapted to reflect the local needs and realities.

“We are deeply grateful for the knowledge and resources we received through the business course.”

“We are deeply grateful for the knowledge and resources we received through the business course.”

"The people of ESO have given me guidance and resources that have opened up new doors and avenues of revenue."

"The people of ESO have given me guidance and resources that have opened up new doors and avenues of revenue."

“Joining ESO has been a transformative experience.”

“Joining ESO has been a transformative experience.”

A Proven Pathway to Power

In case you were wondering:

  • 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.

  • 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. We are intentional about creating safe spaces for people from communities like East Oakland to collaborate, share space, and support each other.

  • 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.

  • No. ESO is a for-profit business in the entrepreneurial support services industry. Our focus is on creating inclusive economies that work for everyone. Financial sustainability based on shared prosperity is at the core of our mission.

  • We do not provide funding to businesses that directly compete with our organization's mission, vision, and values (i.e., direct competitors). We also do not provide funding to non-profits.