Last year’s Neighborhood Economics conference in Chicago proved to be a pivotal moment for New Majority Capital (NMC)’s expansion to the midwest, reinforcing both the power of place-based engagement and the growing momentum behind entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) as a pathway to inclusive ownership.
NMC participated in the event as both an attendee and a featured voice on a panel dedicated to ETA. The discussion brought together a uniquely local perspective: a Chicago-based searcher actively pursuing acquisition opportunities, a local entrepreneur who successfully acquired and now operates a business, and a Chicago-based faculty member from the bETA program. This combination grounded the conversation in real-world experience while highlighting the viability of ETA within Chicago’s small business ecosystem.
Beyond the panel itself, the conference created meaningful opportunities to connect with local stakeholders, funders, and ecosystem partners. Through a series of conversations and follow-on meetings, NMC was able to deepen relationships with organizations committed to expanding access to business ownership. These interactions were instrumental in building trust and aligning around a shared vision for inclusive economic growth in the region.
As a direct result of this engagement, NMC secured support from both local and national grantmakers to launch a Chicago-based bETA cohort in 2027. This funding will enable aspiring entrepreneurs – particularly those historically underrepresented in business ownership – to access training, networks, and capital pathways needed to acquire and grow small businesses.
Chicago represents a vibrant and diverse market with a strong foundation of small businesses and community-oriented institutions. NMC’s experience at Neighborhood Economics demonstrated that when national models are paired with local partnerships, the conditions for scalable, inclusive ownership become significantly more attainable.
Havell Rodrigues is CEO & Managing Partner of New Majority Capital and was a speaker at Neighborhood Economics: Chicago 2025.