New research from the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City begins to integrate what are frequently treated as two separate policy initiatives: food waste and resilience planning. Read More

The City of Oakland believes in the work and the approach of the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City and we support the annual Inner City 100 Symposium as a great asset to showcase the importance of inner cities like Oakland’s. Read More

The Manufacturing Accelerator Program: High Growth Strategies for Manufacturers (MAP) is a new, tuition-free executive education initiative designed to help primarily BIPOC- and woman-owned manufacturing businesses achieve sustainable growth. Developed by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) in partnership with Harvard Business School Professor Lynda Applegate and the ... Read More

Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC), ICIC’s signature program for small business owners in the mid-stage of their growth, is thrilled to mark its fourth year in Canada in 2024, made possible by the generous support and partnership of the lead sponsor, Pizza Hut Canada, as part of YUM’s Unlocking Opportunity Initiative. At the heart of this initiative is the Equal Slice Program, a pivotal component offering participants the opportunity to vie for one of five $20,000 CAD grants designed to fuel the growth and scalability of their businesses. Equal Slice has provided a combined $300,000 in grants to small business owners since its inception, helping them build capacity for sustainable growth and resiliency. The 2023 grant winners include Akilah Newton of Big Dreamers, Carolina Foresti of Carolina's Brownies, Jaime Ward-Yassin of Hero Academy, Nancy Wingham of Nuez Acres, and Cynthia Sweeny of Simply Good Form Inc. This year, ICIC will present two Canada Cohorts—one conducted virtually and the other in person in Toronto, Ontario. The nation is home to 150 ICCC alumni, and since their participation in ICIC’s programs, they have achieved an outstanding average growth of 125% in revenue. This success underscores the impactful outcomes of the ICCC program, and the vital role played by Pizza Hut Canada in supporting the growth and resilience of small businesses across the country. Read More

Cube Care, under the leadership of CEO Susana Robledo, reflects the transformative power of global trade, diversity, and community empowerment. Recognized as the 2023 Inner City 100 FedEx Champion of Global Entrepreneurship Award winner, Cube Care's journey embodies the FedEx commitment to diversity and empowering entrepreneurs. The company's impact begins with its community engagement, from providing jobs to prison inmates to creating a supportive environment for single mothers. Robledo emphasizes a people-centric approach, fostering a diverse, self-driven, and family-oriented culture. Robledo's vision goes on to extend beyond borders in a thriving collaboration with FedEx Express Latin America & Caribbean HQ to enhance healthcare interiors internationally. Steve Grossman, CEO of ICIC, celebrated Cube Care's journey as a profound illustration of global entrepreneurship and community impact. Cube Care’s recognition as a multi-year IC100 Award winner reflects its commitment to inclusive economic development, celebrating resilience, collaboration, and the positive impact of entrepreneurship. The company's story is an inspiration, showcasing that success is measured not just in profits but in the transformative impact a company can make locally and globally. Read More