In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dayton’s small business community—especially those led by Black, Brown, and underserved founders—was left fighting to survive. While some businesses slowly found their footing, others faced impossible odds: lack of capital, insufficient support, and long-standing disparities that only deepened during the crisis.

In 2021, the City of Dayton made a bold move to change this trajectory. Partnering with the Nowak Metro Finance Lab and urban policy expert Bruce Katz, the city launched the Inclusive Recovery Playbook—a blueprint that did more than highlight gaps; it called for action. The data confirmed what many already knew: Black and Brown entrepreneurs were starting fewer businesses, generating less revenue, and supporting significantly fewer jobs.

The Playbook painted a powerful picture of possibility. If business ownership reflected Dayton’s population, the city would see 1,800 more minority-owned businesses. Nearly $5 billion more in annual revenue. Over 50,000 new jobs. These weren’t just statistics—they were signals of what’s possible when barriers are removed.

That’s where IBROC was born. The Innovative Business Resource Opportunity Center (IBROC) was created to confront these inequities head-on. Guided by the Playbook’s insights and shaped through community collaboration, the City of Dayton selected The Entrepreneurs’ Center and the Miami Valley Urban League to lead the charge. Together, they are building the infrastructure to level the playing field for entrepreneurs across the region.

At its core, IBROC believes in the untapped power of Dayton’s entrepreneurs. We are building a future where every small business owner—regardless of background—has access to the tools, relationships, and resources they need to grow and thrive.