Nearly 80 percent of Dallas businesses are classified as small businesses, employing 40 percent of the workforce. While agencies exist to support Dallas’ entrepreneurial ecosystem, most efforts are siloed and lack capacity, leaving behind those that lack connections or whose criminal history offers challenges to entering the mainstream business world. This is an opportunity to develop grassroots partnerships, combining staff expertise, information resources and spaces with existing efforts to address social mobility and workforce skills development.

The B.R.A.I.N.'s programs have served as platforms for innovative collaboration with grassroots entrepreneurial support organizations. A recent partnership with local organization Cornbread Hustle is noteworthy for hosting three months of weekly curriculum-based meetings at the Central Library to help recovering addicts and felons become entrepreneurs, culminating in a pitch session with cash investment award. Ultimately a collaborative effort between DPL and Office of Economic Development, this approach that allows for increased accountability and outcome-focused strategies.

With the Dallas B.R.A.I.N., the city is equipped with the networked resources to become one of the most entrepreneurially literate cities in the country. Since October 2016, over 1,840 individuals have been served in B.R.A.I.N. events and workshops, including over 90 participants across three Cornbread Hustle sessions. Whether connecting through a workshop, the database of resource contacts or a partner referral, Dallas’ entrepreneurs grow the network by accessing resources they need to succeed.