Small Business, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Growth Initiative
Overview
The Milken Institute’s Small Business, Entrepreneurship, and Economy Initiative drives research and solutions that empower entrepreneurs and strengthen the small business ecosystem. By analyzing economic trends, challenges, and policies, the initiative develops evidence-based strategies that help businesses compete, scale, and fuel innovation and sustainable growth.
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Conducting research and analysis to identify the key challenges small businesses face with a focus on driving change to benefit both traditional small businesses and start-ups
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Connecting programs, publications, and convenings to policy, regulatory changes, and economic trends that impact the entrepreneurial community
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Convening founders, investors, business leaders, academic experts, policymakers, government officials, and other key stakeholders to contribute ideas that drive action and benefit the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem
The evolving landscape of community banking, technology, globalization, and policy changes disproportionately affect small businesses and start-ups, key drivers of job creation and innovation. The Milken Institute Small Business Policy and Innovation initiative aims to address these challenges with innovative solutions.
By the Numbers
Featured 2024 Global Conference Panel
Featured Thought Leadership
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How Syndicated Crowdfunding Can Be Leveraged for Direct Community Investment
In Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life, as George Bailey tries to prevent a run on the Bailey Brothers Building and Loan, the audience receives a lesson in community banking and the economic multiplier effect. Customers deposit their...Read ArticleImage
Kristen Fanarakis
Associate Director, Small Business, Entrepreneurship, and Economic GrowthKristen Fanarakis leads the small business, entrepreneurship, and economic growth initiative within the Milken Institute’s Finance pillar. She focuses on macroeconomic and systemic trends affecting American small businesses and startups, and their implications for the economy and innovation. -
The Cost of Policy Uncertainty
Launching and running a small business or startup is as much about managing risk as it is about bringing a great idea to market. Whether you’re opening a small-town bakery or launching a biotech startup, entrepreneurship requires a strong...Read ArticleImage
Kristen Fanarakis
Associate Director, Small Business, Entrepreneurship, and Economic GrowthKristen Fanarakis leads the small business, entrepreneurship, and economic growth initiative within the Milken Institute’s Finance pillar. She focuses on macroeconomic and systemic trends affecting American small businesses and startups, and their implications for the economy and innovation. -
Improving Small Business Disaster Response and Recovery
The Disaster’s Next Wave When a natural disaster strikes, the physical destruction and its costs typically dominate the headlines. Less attention is paid to the secondary effects disasters have on a community—especially its small businesses...Read ArticleImage
Kristen Fanarakis
Associate Director, Small Business, Entrepreneurship, and Economic GrowthKristen Fanarakis leads the small business, entrepreneurship, and economic growth initiative within the Milken Institute’s Finance pillar. She focuses on macroeconomic and systemic trends affecting American small businesses and startups, and their implications for the economy and innovation.
Small Business, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Growth Initiative
Related Content
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Reimagining Impact Investing for Small Businesses in the Age of AI
Small businesses are responsible for nearly half of all private-sector jobs and economic growth. They, along with startups, serve as the dual engines driving both innovation and economic expansion.Read ReportImage
Kristen Fanarakis
Associate Director, Small Business, Entrepreneurship, and Economic GrowthKristen Fanarakis leads the small business, entrepreneurship, and economic growth initiative within the Milken Institute’s Finance pillar. She focuses on macroeconomic and systemic trends affecting American small businesses and startups, and their implications for the economy and innovation. -
Weather and Waste: Rethinking Small Business Support Following a Natural Disaster
As of November 1, 2024, one each of 24 confirmed weather-related disasters in the United States caused damage associated with losses exceeding $1 billion. The year was one of the costliest since 1980. Nationally, the annual number of...Read ReportImage
Kristen Fanarakis
Associate Director, Small Business, Entrepreneurship, and Economic GrowthKristen Fanarakis leads the small business, entrepreneurship, and economic growth initiative within the Milken Institute’s Finance pillar. She focuses on macroeconomic and systemic trends affecting American small businesses and startups, and their implications for the economy and innovation. -
Optimizing Small Business: Technical Assistance with Nudges
The Milken Institute conducted a pilot project exploring ways to improve the efficacy of small business technical assistance programs through the application of behavioral science intervention known as a “nudge” (Thaler and Sunstein 2008)...Read ReportAS LL CBAbraham Song, Laura Leets, and Christopher J. Boudreaux -
14 Strategies for Partnering with Mission-Focused Banks
Throughout American history, substantial inequality has existed, particularly in minority communities for whom median household wealth continues to lag significantly compared to nonminorities. Compounded by longstanding wealth disparities...Read ReportRC AB XERagini Chawla, Aron Betru, and Xavier Escoto
For More Information
If you would like to learn more about the Small Business Policy and Innovation Initiative please contact Kristen Fanarakis at [email protected].