Publications & Events

BOI shares findings from its research, evaluation, and peer learning activities in a variety of formats. Our publications share emerging and best practices, document data findings, and identify critical industry and market trends. Browse our publication topics below, or search our full list of publications here.

We also host public events and webinars that highlight industry trends, share research results, and illuminate strategies for addressing issues relating to business ownership and economic opportunity. Many of our events are co-sponsored with our colleague programs at the Aspen Institute.

Explore the Archive

All Publications from the Business Ownership Initiative

FIELD Forum Issue 2 – Business Financing Products for the Poor 
Publications

FIELD Forum Issue 2 – Business Financing Products for the Poor 

Examines this critical issue and describes the five organizations participating in a multi-site, two-year demonstration project.

FIELD Forum Issue 1 – Assessing the Effectiveness of Training and Technical Assistance
Publications

FIELD Forum Issue 1 – Assessing the Effectiveness of Training and Technical Assistance

Offers background on this important issue and describes the five grantees participating in a multi-site, two-year demonstration project.

Microenterprise and the Poor: Findings from the Self-Employment Learning Project Five Year Survey of Microentrepreneurs
Publications

Microenterprise and the Poor: Findings from the Self-Employment Learning Project Five Year Survey of Microentrepreneurs

The Self-Employment Learning Project tracked the progress of individuals running microbusinesses from 1991 to 1997. This report documents their efforts to get out of poverty and the progress of their businesses.

Performance Counts Vol. 1 Issue 1 Fall 1997
Publications

Performance Counts Vol. 1 Issue 1 Fall 1997

An occasional newsletter published by FIELD’s MicroTest project. Contains information about performance measures being tested, data collection tools and definitions.

The Practice of Microenterprise in the U.S.: Strategies, Costs, and Effectiveness 
Publications

The Practice of Microenterprise in the U.S.: Strategies, Costs, and Effectiveness 

Documents the experiences of seven senior microenterprise programs in delivering credit, training, and technical assistance to low- and moderate-income clients in the US. Using case materials gathered between 1992-1994, analyzes strategies, costs, and effectiveness.

Enabling Entrepreneurship: Microenterprise Development in the US
Publications

Enabling Entrepreneurship: Microenterprise Development in the US

In-depth information on the first year of the longitudinal SELP study. Includes demographics, types, size, and performance of microbusineses.

Assisting the Smallest Businesses: Assessing Microenterprise Development as a Strategy for Boosting Poor Communities 
Publications

Assisting the Smallest Businesses: Assessing Microenterprise Development as a Strategy for Boosting Poor Communities 

This interim report analyzes information generated from interviews with 302 microentrepreneurs about their microbusinesses.

About the Business Ownership Initiative

The Business Ownership Initiative, an initiative of the Economic Opportunities Program, works to build understanding and strengthen the role of business ownership as an economic opportunity strategy.

About the Economic Opportunities Program

The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy.

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More from the Business Ownership Initiative

Metrics that Matter: Improving Financial Analysis of CDFI Small Business Lenders
Podcasts Videos

Metrics that Matter: Improving Financial Analysis of CDFI Small Business Lenders

CDFI boards, leadership teams, investors, and regulators have long relied on a familiar set of financial metrics to assess organizational performance.

From Crisis to Continuity: Optimizing CDFI Capital and Partnerships for Natural Disaster Response
Publications

From Crisis to Continuity: Optimizing CDFI Capital and Partnerships for Natural Disaster Response

Traditional emergency aid through SBA or FEMA takes time, and lower-income communities often face significant approval hurdles. Speed is essential to business survival.

The New Era of Small Business Finance: Access, AI, and Accountability (Highlight reel)
Videos

The New Era of Small Business Finance: Access, AI, and Accountability (Highlight reel)

VIDEO — Highlight reel from “The New Era of Small Business Finance: Access, AI, and Accountability,” a forum hosted by the Aspen Institute’s Business Ownership Initiative and the Responsible Business Lending Coalition on March 5, 2026.

The Changing Role of Small Business Ownership
Videos

The Changing Role of Small Business Ownership

VIDEO — This discussion is the first of three that took place as part of “The New Era of Small Business Finance: Access, AI, and Accountability,” a forum hosted by the Aspen Institute’s Business Ownership Initiative and the Responsible Business Lending Coalition on March 5, 2026.

Main Street Challenges and Policy Solutions
Videos

Main Street Challenges and Policy Solutions

VIDEO — This discussion is the third of three that took place as part of “The New Era of Small Business Finance: Access, AI, and Accountability,” a forum hosted by the Aspen Institute’s Business Ownership Initiative and the Responsible Business Lending Coalition on March 5, 2026.

Innovations Driving Small Business Lending Forward: It’s Not All About AI
Videos

Innovations Driving Small Business Lending Forward: It’s Not All About AI

VIDEO — This discussion is the second of three that took place as part of “The New Era of Small Business Finance: Access, AI, and Accountability,” a forum hosted by the Aspen Institute’s Business Ownership Initiative and the Responsible Business Lending Coalition on March 5, 2026.

To Help Small Businesses Recover From the L.A. Fires, Invest in Community Lenders
Blog Posts

To Help Small Businesses Recover From the L.A. Fires, Invest in Community Lenders

Nonprofit lenders often deploy funds faster than the government but need more capital to meet demand.

Integrating a Job Quality Practice in Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs): A Q&A
Publications

Integrating a Job Quality Practice in Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs): A Q&A

This Q&A provides insights and lessons from the work of 11 CDFIs that participated in Shared Success, a job quality demonstration led by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program (EOP).