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

Publications

Increase your Client Outcomes IQ

The guide is designed as a useful tool for microenterprise practitioners who want to use client outcomes data to raise funds, improve program services, and set organizational goals.

EntrepreneurTracker Client Outcomes Highlights – 2014
Publications

EntrepreneurTracker Client Outcomes Highlights – 2014

This brief summarizes business-related outcomes reported by microenterprise clients in 2014.

US Microenterprise Census Highlights, Fiscal Year 2014
Publications

US Microenterprise Census Highlights, Fiscal Year 2014

Released in 2016, the US Microenterprise Census Highlights of 2014 include data from 142 microenterprise organizations across the country.

Narrowing the Racial Wealth Gap through Business Ownership
Publications

Narrowing the Racial Wealth Gap through Business Ownership

This guide identifies tools and strategies funders can employ to advance business ownership as a means to build wealth and reduce the racial and ethnic wealth gap.

Microbusiness, Gainful Jobs – Findings Brief on Millennials
Publications

Microbusiness, Gainful Jobs – Findings Brief on Millennials

This brief focuses on findings related to the experiences of millennials and the quality of jobs provided by microenterprises.

Microbusiness, Gainful Jobs – A Statistical Profile of Microenterprise Employees
Publications

Microbusiness, Gainful Jobs – A Statistical Profile of Microenterprise Employees

In this in-depth qualitative study, the FIELD team spoke with a sample of employees of microenterprises in five cities: New York, Miami, Chicago, Denver, and San Diego.

Microbusiness, Gainful Jobs – Findings Brief on Creating Opportunity
Publications

Microbusiness, Gainful Jobs – Findings Brief on Creating Opportunity

This brief highlights findings regarding the role that microbusiness jobs played in providing opportunities for the individuals who face the greatest challenges in connecting to and succeeding in our economy.

Microenterprise Jobs by the Numbers
Publications

Microenterprise Jobs by the Numbers

Our national survey of business owners served by microenterprise programs gives us a broad numeric picture of microenterprise jobs.

US Microenterprise Census Highlights, Fiscal Year 2013
Publications

US Microenterprise Census Highlights, Fiscal Year 2013

Released in 2015, the US Microenterprise Census Highlights of 2013 include data from 177 microenterprise organizations across the country.

EntrepreneurTracker Client Outcomes Highlights – 2013
Publications

EntrepreneurTracker Client Outcomes Highlights – 2013

This brief summarizes outcomes reported by microenterprise clients regarding 2013.

Microbusinesses, Gainful Jobs
Publications

Microbusinesses, Gainful Jobs

This updated report shares expanded findings on the quality of jobs created by microbusiness program clients.

Building a Sustainable Business Model
Publications

Building a Sustainable Business Model

The third and final publication from the Asset Building through Credit pilot explores how to sustain delivery of a secured credit card teamed with credit coaching.

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).