Disadvantaged Group Financing

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program:

Attempts to increase participation of firms owned by disadvantaged individuals in all federal aid and state transportation facility contracts. Program offers loan guarantees for working capital to facilitate WisDot contracts or subcontracts. For more information, visit:
www.dot.wisconsin.gov/business/engrserv/dbe-main.htm

Emerging Business Program:

Encourages the development of small businesses owned, operated, and controlled by persons who are at an economic disadvantage. For more information, visit: www.wheda.com

Linked Deposit Loan (LiDL):

Provides women- and minority-owned and operated businesses a two-year interest rate subsidy on the portion of a new bank loan of $10,000 to $99,000 that covers land, building and equipment. This program is administered by Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). For more information, visit:
www.wheda.com/cat_sb/ldl_product.asp

Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA):

Helps minority entrepreneurs grow and compete in the global economy by developing programs that provide access to financing, the marketplace, education, and technology. For more information, visit:
www.mbda.gov

Minority Business Development Program:

Provides low-interest loans for the start-up, expansion or acquisition of minority-owned businesses. To qualify for the fund, a business must be 51% controlled, owned, and actively managed by minority-group members. For the purposes of this program, women are not considered a minority. For more information, visit:
www.commerce.wi.gov

Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program:

Designed to increase the opportunity for Wisconsin certified minority owned companies to sell their products or services to the State of Wisconsin and its agencies. For more information, visit:
www.doa.state.wi.us

Phenomenelle Angels Fund I, LP:

Invests in women and minority owned or managed businesses in Wisconsin and the Midwest. Qualifying businesses must have at least one woman or an ethnic minority holding substantial ownership or in an executive (C-level) position. Investors are limited to women who are accredited investors, and select entities. For more information, visit:
www.phenomenelleangels.com

Small Business Administration (SBA) Pre-Qualification Loan Program (Pre-Qual) and Intermediaries:

allows businesses owned by women, veterans, or minorities to apply for a loan guarantee for loans provided by a certified lender. For more information, visit:
www.sba.gov/wi

Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) Program:

provides micro loans up to a maximum of $50,000, to new or expanding women and minority owned businesses, or other eligible entrepreneurs. WWBIC also offers training and technical assistance. For more information, visit:
www.wwbic.com