New Approaches for Grassroots Entrepreneurship

Mauricio L. Miller’s Family Independence Initiative works with communities abroad to support and encourage the smallest entrepreneurs. Small capital injections in these firms have generated strong returns in employment and income. What lessons do his strategies hold for the smallest US firms that have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 recession?

Mr. Miller argues for moving away from microloans, which he says only further burden these firms. Instead, he advocates for using capital infusion grants that come with a requirement for firms to “pay it forward” by looking for other small businesses in their communities to partner with as customers and suppliers.

Join us for a conversation with Mr. Miller about his report on innovative strategies for keeping the entrepreneurial spirit alive for our smallest companies.

There will also be a panel discussion with Mr. Miller, John Danner, Entrepreneurship Specialist, and Cornelia Huellstrunk, Executive Director of the Keller Center moderated by Brent Orrell, Resident Fellow, AEI.

Submit questions to anik.joshi@aei.org or on Twitter with #AEIonEntrepreneurship.

Agenda

1:00 PM  Introduction by Brent Orrell, Resident Fellow, AEI

1:10 PM  Presentation by Mauricio L. Miller, CEO, Family Independence Initiative

1:25 PM  Panel discussion with John Danner, Entrepreneurship Specialist, Cornelia Huellstrunk, Executive Director of the Keller Center and Mauricio L. Miller, CEO, Family Independence Initiative. Moderated by Brent Orrell, Resident Fellow, AEI

2:15 PM  Q&A

2:30 PM. Adjournment