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ECDI Business Incubation

and Innovation Center

Your single-source small business hub.

Small business owner at his business
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Investing in the
growth of small business

Funding. Training. Mentoring. More.

Welcome to your one-stop shop of entrepreneurial resources.

Whether you're looking for funding, an industry mentor, or an array of business services – start here.

Explore ECDI's Business Incubation Programs

Small business mentor

General Entrepreneurship

Whether you're planning a business or refining your expansion strategy, click here to find assistance and resources.

Food and drink business owner at Food Fort facility

Food Business Incubation Services

Specialized food industry resources, peer and expert mentorship, and memberships to the Food Fort Commercial Commissary in Columbus.

Women's Business Center mentoring

Women's Business Centers of Ohio

Workshops, advisors, connections, small business funding – it's all right here, along with a supportive community of women entrepreneurs. 

Construction business owner

Minority Contractor Resource Center

Designed to remove barriers for minority-owned commercial construction contractors, through coaching, capital and connections.

Social enterprise business

Social Enterprise Hub

Need help refining your business model to serve your mission? We're here to help, with industry-specific training, mentoring, networking, and more.

ECDI's Impact in Ohio

Since 2004 (updated quarterly):

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Loans distributed

$165M

in loans distributed

jobs created or retained

40,436

estimated jobs created or retained

47%

Economically disadvantaged

Entrepreneurs served by ECDI are:
(running median)

64%

Black

49%

Women

18%

New American

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"ECDI's impact on the Ohio economy comfortably exceeds $1 billion annually, stemming from locally owned, locally serving businesses."

Overall Economic Impact Study of ECDI's Lending to Ohio Entrepreneurs by Bill Lafayette, Ph.D.

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Michelle Allen owner of Mmelo Boutique Confections

Michelle Allen

Mmelo Boutique Confections

My business would not exist without ECDI. I’ve squeezed every service out of the organization that I can, and that they’ve lovingly given to me. I've gotten help with financial, HR and legal matters in addition to funding. I cannot overstate how foundational my relationship is to ECDI. 

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Lisa Gutierrez owner of Dos Hermanos

Lisa Gutierrez

Dos Hermanos Tacos

ECDI continues to help us every step of the way …It amazes me the work that this small nonprofit does in this community and how dedicated they are to seeing that small businesses make it to the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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John Rush owner of Third Way Cafe

John Rush

Third Way Café

I got an email saying, 'We're here to help.' I might not have thought about asking for help, if ECDI hadn't been proactive in reaching out to clients. Having access to dollars allowed us to navigate through COVID and the unpredictability of sales. We've been able to think about not just surviving, but growing.

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Benefits of Working with ECDI

SUPPORT FOR ANY STAGE

Whether you've got a great idea and need help turning it into a business plan, or you're an established company looking to expand, we're here to help.

HELP FOR EVERY ENTREPRENEUR

We have one job: helping small businesses succeed. If you aren't ready to receive a loan right now, we have resources to help you get ready. 

ONE-STOP RESOURCE

Training, expert advisors, networking, ongoing support, access to funding - it's all right here. Develop one relationship and find everything you need.

RESPONSIBLE, AFFORDABLE LENDING

Our mission is to create enduring social and economic change. As a nonprofit, we're not here to make a buck. We're here to help create lasting small businesses.

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