EMI Market Access
Expanding pathways for LA County small businesses to access customers, procurement opportunities, and capital.
The Economic Mobility Initiative (EMI) Market Access Program helps small and growing businesses strengthen their ability to reach new customers, diversify revenue streams, and compete in larger and more stable marketplaces—supporting their long-term sustainability. Whether a business sells to individual consumers (B2C), other businesses (B2B), or public-sector institutions such as government agencies, hospitals, or universities (B2G), EMI provides the guidance, tools, and support needed to expand market opportunities.
Now enrolling businesses! Space is limited.
Program Highlights
Businesses gain access to structured, practical support, including the following:
- Standardized business diagnostics to evaluate operational and market
- Expert-led workshops aligned to core revenue pathways and market opportunities.
- Hands-on technical assistance to complete essential business activities
- Advisor-supported implementation to help turn goals into executed plans with results
How the Program Works
- Submit the Application Form
- Participate in a Diagnostic Assessment to determine business readiness level, growth goals, gaps, and priority pathway(s)
- Choose service pathways specific to business model and goals
- Work with a designated business advisor to develop an Individualized Action Plan
- Attend workshops and meet regularly with the business advisor to receive assistance and guidance
- Complete Action Plan and graduate equipped to pursue market opportunities!
To be eligible to participate, applicants must:
- Be a resident of LA County
- Have been impacted by COVID-19
- Be an established business
- Be in good standing with 100 or fewer employees
EMI Market Access Pathways
Choose one or more pathway that best fits your business model and goals.
Business-to-Government (B2G)
Prepares businesses to compete for government and corporate procurement opportunities.
Support includes:
• Compliance review
• LA County certification support
• Bid readiness
• RFP response guidance
Business- to-Business (B2B)
Designed for businesses providing services and goods to businesses and/or pursuing wholesale, retail partnerships, or distribution channels.
Support includes:
• Wholesale strategy
• B2B distribution channel planning
• Sales outreach
• Buyer targeting and positioning
Business-to-Consumers (B2C)
Helps businesses attract and retain customers through stronger branding and marketing.
Support includes:
• Brand positioning and messaging
• Customer acquisition strategy
• Digital presence and visibility
• Marketing and audience targeting
Capital Readiness
Supports businesses in becoming financially prepared to pursue funding.
Support includes:
• Financial review
• Funding strategy
• Application preparation (loans, grants, equity)
• Cash flow and documentation readiness
Social Enterprise Incubator
Advance Your Mission with LA County’s Social Enterprise Incubator
The Social Enterprise Incubator, offered by the Economic Mobility Initiative, is designed to help organizations strengthen their operations and develop sustainable income streams to expand and level up their impact.
Program Highlights
- Program Duration: 3 month and 6-month options
- Format: Hybrid (both virtual and in-person options available)
- Language: English
- Upcoming launch dates: The incubator is closed; sign up for our waitlist and get notified of future opportunities.
As a result of participating in this program, participants will:
- Create sustainable impact
- Grow and diversify income streams
- Conduct effective customer discovery
- Build organizational capacity
- Graduate with a tailored strategy for adding revenue components to their organizations
- Gain access to resources for operational and growth needs
To be eligible to participate, applicants must:
- Be a resident of LA County
- Have been impacted by COVID-19
- Be an established and eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit or social enterprise
- Be in good standing with 100 or fewer employees
Social Enterprise Incubator Closed
The Social Enterprise Incubator, offered by the Economic Mobility Initiative, is designed to help organizations strengthen their operations and develop sustainable income streams to expand and level up their impact.
Procurement Accelerator
Advance Your Business with LA County’s Procurement Accelerator
The Procurement Accelerator, offered by the Economic Mobility Initiative, is designed to help businesses learn how to certify with local, state, and federal governments, bid on contracts, and expand contracting capacity to support their business growth.
Program Highlights
- Program Duration: 1 month and 2-month options
- Format: Hybrid (both virtual and in-person options available)
- Languages: English and Spanish
- Upcoming launch dates:
- Upcoming launch dates: The incubator is closed; sign up for our waitlist and get notified of future opportunities.
Successful graduates:
- Learn the certification process for government contracting
- Increase their business’s contracting capacity
- Navigate procurement opportunities effectively
- Access tailored support for operational growth
- Gain resources for business growth needs
- Increase capacity to bid for local, state, and federal contracting opportunities
- Graduate with a tailored strategy for pursuing government contracts
To be eligible to participate, applicants must
- Be a resident of LA County
- Have been impacted by COVID-19
- Be an established small business
- Be in good standing with 100 or fewer employees
Procurement Accelerator Closed
The Procurement Accelerator, offered by the Economic Mobility Initiative, is designed to help businesses pursue government contracts.
Employee Ownership Intensive
Transition Your Business with LA County’s Employee Ownership Intensive
The Employee Ownership Intensive, offered by the Economic Mobility Initiative, is designed to help business owners explore their option to sell their company to their employees while preserving jobs and sustaining wealth opportunities
Program Highlights
- Program Duration: Varies by business
- Format: Hybrid (both virtual and in-person consultations available)
- Languages: English
- Next level of programming launching soon! Fall 2026
As a result of participating in this program, participants will:
- Identify the fair market value and worth of their business for sale
- Receive no cost technical assistance to sell their business
- Preserve their business’s legacy by keeping it locally rooted
- Sustain quality jobs for the community
- Engage employees who are interested in buying and preserving their business
To be eligible to participate, applicants must:
- Be a resident of LA County
- Have been impacted by COVID-19
- Have 10 or more employees
- Have good financial health & profitability
- Have a 5+ year track record
- Have minimal business debt
Employee Ownership Intensive Open for Consultations
The Social Enterprise Incubator, offered by the Economic Mobility Initiative, is designed to help organizations strengthen their operations and develop sustainable income streams to expand and level up their impact.
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