Washington, DC – Last year, our TriVision team was honored to support the Minority Business Development Agency’s (MBDA) mission by rebranding its brand identity and the Capital Readiness Program (CRP), a groundbreaking $125 million initiative aimed at empowering underserved entrepreneurs. For decades, the MBDA has long been a cornerstone in advancing minority-owned businesses across the United States, fostering growth, innovation, and global competitiveness. Through strategic initiatives, the agency continues to provide essential access to capital, contracts, and markets, helping MBEs thrive in an ever-evolving business landscape.
TriVision’s rebranding of MBDA represents a pivotal moment in the Agency’s ongoing dedication to supporting small, emerging, and minority-owned businesses. This transformation reflects MBDA’s mission to drive growth, innovation, and opportunity for the communities it serves.
Capital Readiness Program: Fueling Entrepreneurial Success
In recent years, MBDA’s impact has been profound. In Fiscal Year 2023 alone, the agency facilitated access to $1.5 billion in capital and secured over $3.8 billion in contracts for MBEs, directly supporting the creation and preservation of more than 19,000 jobs. These achievements represent more than just numbers—they reflect countless stories of entrepreneurs empowered to innovate, grow, and contribute to their communities
Beyond rebranding MBDA, TriVision played a key role in developing a brand identity for the Capital Readiness Program (CRP), a program by MBDA launched in 2023 that helps entrepreneurs get the funding they need to succeed. As the largest Commerce Department investment in history to support underserved entrepreneurs, CRP awarded funding to 43 recipients, and TriVision provided strategic branding and rollout support to ensure a cohesive and impactful launch.
According to MBDA, since its launch, CRP awardees, incubators, and accelerators have supported 6,326 entrepreneurs, helped secure $263 million in capital, facilitated the creation of 2,636 new businesses, developed 1,726 business pitches, and hosted 2,486 networking events—empowering diverse business owners and entrepreneurs across the nation (source: MBDA).
By 2044, the nation’s economic success will depend even more on minorities, the fastest-growing segment of the population. Entrepreneurship remains a key driver of wealth creation and a strong national economy. Currently, minority-owned businesses make up 29% of all U.S. firms, yet only 11% have paid employees. Achieving entrepreneurial parity among MBEs could generate 13 million additional jobs, significantly boosting economic growth and opportunity (source: MBDA).*
The Impact of MBDA's Federal Funding Cuts and What It Means for Minority Businesses
Recent developments under the new Trump administration have cast a somber tone. On March 14, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order titled “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy,” directing the elimination of non-statutory components and functions of several federal entities, including the MBDA, to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law. This order mandates that these agencies reduce their operations and personnel to the minimum required by law.
The reduction of MBDA’s functions is more than just an organizational shift—it marks the end of an era dedicated to diversity, inclusion, and economic empowerment. As the only federal agency focused on supporting minority entrepreneurs, MBDA has provided essential resources, including technical assistance, capital access, and business development programs.
Today, there are about 5.8 million minority businesses that contribute $1 trillion to the nation’s economy, with average annual revenues of about $1.7 million. Without MBDA’s funding and support, thousands of small and emerging businesses will face greater challenges in scaling, competing, and sustaining operations—deepening economic disparities and limiting opportunities for historically underserved communities.
As MBDA’s branding and marketing partner, we acknowledge the significant void this change will create and honor the agency’s invaluable contributions to minority business growth nationwide. Its legacy stands as a powerful reminder of the critical role minority-owned businesses play in driving economic progress and the lasting impact of inclusive economic policies.
To read more about TriVision’s engagement with MBDA, click here.
* All data and sources: www.MBDA.gov
