Los Angeles Minority Business Enterprise Center (MBEC)
The Los Angeles Minority Business Enterprise Center (L.A. MBEC) is operated by the USC Business Expansion Network, a unit of USC Civic & Community Relations. It is funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency.
The mission of USC’s Business Expansion Network is to cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit of Los Angeles communities: their individuals, businesses and organizations.
Through the L.A. MBEC, USC provides access to educational and technical resources that foster business expansion and job creation throughout Los Angeles County.
Since its inception in 1996, the L.A. MBEC (and its predecessor, the West Los Angeles County MBEC) have assisted over 1,200 local minority business enterprises in securing over $140 million in finance and procurement transactions.
Key Personnel
The Los Angeles MBEC client delivery model relies on two sets of resources to work as one cohesive unit. The core team consists of USC employees of the Los Angeles MBEC and includes the Director, full-time staff consultants, half-time consultants, a project coordinator, and Project Assistant. The core team is the backbone of the MBEC and is directly responsible to USC and the MBDA. The core team leads each of the functional areas of the project.
Extended Team
The extended team is a pool of as-needed contractors that provide complimentary skills to the MBEC. The extended team members are mainly focused on delivery and do not own the client relationship. The extended team functions as part of the MBEC and therefore the MBEC is ultimately responsible for the service provided and owns the client.
Strategic Partners
The Los Angeles MBEC utilizes its best-in-class partners to collaborate on client service, provide referrals, and expose clients to procurement and financing opportunities. The current LA MBEC strategic partners include: