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

Client Gains in Credit Scores and Financial Capability
Publications

Client Gains in Credit Scores and Financial Capability

The second publication in this series highlighting the findings from the Asset Building through Credit Pilot details the outcomes of 385 secured cardholders in terms of credit scores and financial behaviors.

Asset Building through Credit – Credit Scores + Financial Behavior
Publications

Asset Building through Credit – Credit Scores + Financial Behavior

Outcomes on credit scores and financial behaviors of microentrepreneurs who used a secured credit card.

US Microenterprise Census Highlights, Fiscal Year 2012
Publications

US Microenterprise Census Highlights, Fiscal Year 2012

Released in 2014, the US Microenterprise Census Highlights of 2012 include data from 217 microenterprise organizations across the country.

MicroTracker Client Outcomes Highlights 2012
Publications

MicroTracker Client Outcomes Highlights 2012

Each year FIELD’s Client Outcomes process works with microenterprise organizations to collect data on clients served.

Building Assets through Microbusiness
Publications

Building Assets through Microbusiness

Owning a business is one key means through which individuals and families build assets.

Sustaining the Delivery of Business Development Services
Publications

Sustaining the Delivery of Business Development Services

This brief publication offers strategies and practices for mobilizing funding for microenterprise training services.

Scaling through Distance Learning
Publications

Scaling through Distance Learning

Compelled by the drive to serve larger numbers of aspiring entrepreneurs amid a tighter funding environment, many microenterprise development organizations are, not surprisingly, looking more closely at distance learning.

US Microenterprise Census Highlights, Fiscal Year 2011
Publications

US Microenterprise Census Highlights, Fiscal Year 2011

Released in 2013, the US Microenterprise Census Highlights of 2011 include data from 207 microenterprise organizations across the country.

Microenterprise Development as Job Creation
Publications

Microenterprise Development as Job Creation

Outcomes data demonstrate the power of very small businesses to produce jobs for their owners and others.

Income Patching among Microentrepreneurs
Publications

Income Patching among Microentrepreneurs

How are microentrepreneurs combining self- and wage employment in today’s economic context?

Asset Building through Credit Pilot
Publications

Asset Building through Credit Pilot

This paper presents the first set of findings from the Asset Building through Credit Pilot program, a demonstration that explored the use of secured credit card, teamed with credit coaching, as a tool to help entrepreneurs to build their credit.

Catching Fire: The University Microenterprise Movement in 2012
Publications

Catching Fire: The University Microenterprise Movement in 2012

Over the last few years, university student-powered microenterprise organizations have emerged offering direct services to low-income individuals and small businesses in their local communities.

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).