In a significant boost to Tampa’s economic landscape, JPMorgan Chase has bestowed a substantial $134,000 grant upon the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, amplifying the impact of its esteemed Minority Business Accelerator (MBA) program. This investment stands as a testament to the commitment towards fostering diversity and inclusion in the local business community, promising growth and opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Minority Business Accelerator (MBA)
The Tampa Bay Chamber’s MBA is a unique two-year program that propels underrepresented businesses through a curated journey of targeted workshops, mentoring, and group activities. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance capacity, generate employment, and build wealth within these entrepreneurial ventures.
What a night for our Chamber's Minority Business Accelerator's 2025 Cohort and sponsor JPMorgan @Chase – whose representatives arrived at this evening's 2025 Cohort Kick-off in Tampa with a huge check, in every sense of the word! Take a look! pic.twitter.com/nFqltVFMvn
— Tampa Bay Chamber (@TB_Chamber) January 31, 2024
Milestones Achieved by MBA Cohorts
Demonstrating the MBA program’s impact, the success stories of its cohorts are apparent. Moving on to concrete outcomes, both the 2023 and fourth-quarter-2024 graduating cohorts collectively achieve remarkable feats:
- $19 million in gross sales
- 122 new jobs created
- 137 corporate contracts secured
- $750,000 in capital acquired
- $200,000 in new assets accumulated by January 1, 2024.
Building a Supportive Ecosystem
Upon graduation, MBA cohort participants are invited to join the MBA Alumni Group, fostering an ongoing support system and resource for graduates. The accelerator continually encourages the larger Tampa Bay business community to embrace minority-owned businesses through supplier diversity efforts, ensuring wider access to diverse suppliers across the region.
