Blogs
Sharing valuable insights, practical ideas, and strategies to inspire growth and success.
Quantifying the economic ripple effect of small business spend
When organizations do business with small, local companies, they're doing more than just diversifying their supply chains—they're creating a...
Inclusive Entrepreneurship Lab continues economic development work following EDA University Center transition
In response to the U.S. Economic Development Administration's September 2025 decision to discontinue funding for the University Centers program,...
How users are interacting with the Lab’s supplier development chatbot
The challenge is clear: small local businesses struggle to navigate the complex world of higher education procurement. Vendor requirements are often...
Breaking Through the “Procuriarchy”: How Universities and Small Local Businesses Are Opening Doors
"In one word—perseverance!" says Jen Faigel, CEO of CommonWealth Kitchen, when asked about the key to working with universities. Her company's...
Powering Small Business Growth Through Mentor-Protégé Programs
Mentor-Protégé Programs aim to build a more resilient, innovative supply chain that better reflects and serves our diverse communities.
The Good, The Bad, The Future: Reimagining Minority Business Development
Minority business development in the U.S. has seen remarkable progress over the past few decades, but it still faces significant hurdles. At the 3rd...
Competing for Business in the Higher Education Market: What Can Diverse Suppliers Do?
The barriers to entry into the huge higher education market for goods and services can be daunting, especially for diverse local businesses....
Stay focused on the WHY of supplier diversity
In the summer 2024 issue of the Education Procurement Journal, Veronica Fletcher Cook reflects on her inspiring work as the Executive Program...
Beyond the Campus: How Massachusetts Colleges Drive Local Economies
Last year, the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts (AICUM) published a report that examined the economic and...
Taking the Pulse of Procurement Professionals in Higher Education
As a follow-up to a recent survey of 100+ higher education procurement professionals, the Lab conducted a series of focus groups to drill deeper...
Reach out and let's create meaningful changes together.
