Right to Start: Advancing entrepreneurship as a civic priority across the United States
Right to Start is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that seeks to expand entrepreneurial opportunity for all, driving civic change through grassroots organizing, policy engagement, and lifting the voices of entrepreneurs through storytelling.
How Right to Start works to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem
- Entrepreneurs are powerful engines of local economic growth — creating jobs, attracting investment, and generating community wealth that supports schools, infrastructure, and social services.
- Yet while many Americans have promising business ideas, far fewer take the leap to launch a company. And even fewer grow successfully. One major reason? Systemic policy and regulatory barriers that make entrepreneurship harder than it should be.
- Right to Start is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to expand entrepreneurial opportunity by driving civic change through grassroots mobilization, policy advocacy, and strategic storytelling that channels the perspectives of entrepreneurs into public dialogue and policy change.
Program overview
Our work together
Right to Start, with support from Mastercard Strive USA, is strengthening the policy environment for entrepreneurship—mobilizing local voices, civic leaders, and public support to create a fairer playing field for small business.
- Building grassroots coalitions: Together, we’re expanding Right to Start’s network of grassroots organizers to connect directly with entrepreneurs, surface key barriers, and rally public engagement through meetups, roundtables, petitions, and community events.
- Amplifying entrepreneurial perspectives: Right to Start is advancing bold, narrative-driven communications that highlight the real-world friction entrepreneurs face. Through newsletters, social media, and media outreach, their campaigns lift up firsthand experiences and spur public awareness.
- Engaging policymakers and civic leaders: Civic ambassadors are helping build relationships with policymakers and community influencers—bridging the gap between local entrepreneurial insight and policy change.
By the numbers
Since its founding in 2020, Right to Start has engaged over 4,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners, over 3,700 community supporters, and over 525 civic leaders and policymakers.
22 state legislatures and numerous cities and communities have introduced over 60 bills and other policies based on Right to Start’s policy recommendations.
Our goal
Strengthen the policy environment for entrepreneurship
By mobilizing grassroots voices and advancing pro-small business reforms.
By the numbers
Become a partner
Interested in being a partner for change?
Together we can empower millions of small businesses globally with innovative digital solutions that boost resilience, growth, and inclusion. Your organization's expertise can help bring impactful programs to scale, deepen local reach, and create meaningful change in the small business ecosystem. Be part of a vibrant partner community driving real economic impact.
Victor W. Hwang
Right To StartWhen entrepreneurs rise, we all rise. Mastercard Strive USA’s support amplifies and accelerates Right to Start’s impact, enabling us to expand our reach, deepen engagement, and drive lasting change across four U.S. states.
Related programs
Washington Area Community Investment Fund: Laying the groundwork for a more connected small business ecosystem in Washington, DC
Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) is a CDFI that drives economic opportunity in the Washington, D.C.
CAMEO Network: Strengthening the U.S. small business support infrastructure through a national network of lenders and advisors
CAMEO is a coalition of 400+ mission-based lenders, CDFIs, business support organizations, and technical assistance providers.
Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs: Building statewide access to patient capital and support for Georgia’s small businesses
Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) is a nonprofit and CDFI that provides capital, coaching, and connections to help borrowers create and grow sustainable businesses.
Scale Link & LoanWell: Closing the small business financing gap with an all-in-one lending solution
Scale Link & LoanWell partnered to build a technology platform that matched small businesses seeking capital in North Carolina with local Community Development Financial Institutions.
Urban Impact: Strengthening Birmingham, Alabama’s small business ecosystem from the ground up
Urban Impact is a nonprofit organization committed to removing barriers for underserved entrepreneurs in Birmingham, Alabama.
Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs: Where Atlanta’s entrepreneurs go to build Big IDEAS
Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs equips overlooked and underestimated entrepreneurs with the access, resources, and community they need to grow stronger businesses.
Scale Link: Rewriting the economics of loans under $100,000
Scale Link helps to build and grow the secondary market for community lenders by bundling CDFI microloans and selling them to banks.
Heartland Forward: Real-time insights powering economic growth in the heartland
Heartland Forward is a nonprofit think-and-do tank with a mission to accelerate economic growth in the middle of the country.
National Urban League: A national model for workforce advancement
The National Urban League works to provide economic empowerment, educational opportunities, and the guarantee of civil rights for the underserved in America.
Opportunity Finance Network: Scaling small business lending through CDFI-led innovation
Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) is the leading national network of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and a financial intermediary.
Nest: Growing the U.S. craft economy through maker-centered business support
Nest addresses the unique needs of artisans and makers, prioritizing their well-being, their communities, and their business interests.
Birmingham Business Resource Center: Strengthening Alabama’s small business ecosystem
The Birmingham Business Resource Center is a “one-stop-shop” designed to assist entrepreneurs in every stage of development of their business.
Our Village United: Investing in the health of both the small business and the business owner
Our Village United (OVU) supports the growth of solopreneurs and microbusinesses by delivering targeted technical assistance and shared professional services.
CNote: Unlocking capital for underserved communities through innovative data and technology
CNote makes impact investing easier by connecting capital to mission-driven financial institutions.
Next Street: Building a digital concierge service for small businesses
Next Street provides end-to-end solutions – powered by proprietary technology, national networks, and industry expertise.
The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs: Investing in the strength and scale of Black-led CDFIs
The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs empowers Black CDFI CEO members to lead and grow their institutional operations, teams, and social impact.
One Million Dreams Foundation: A new path to generational wealth
One Million Dreams Foundation provides tools, resources, and mentorship for entrepreneurs so they can scale their business and generate new economic opportunities.
Appalachian Community Capital: Building financial resilience where it’s needed most
Appalachian Community Capital is a non-profit Community Development Financial Institution that is focused on attracting new sources of capital for small businesses.
Low Income Investment Fund: Strengthening childcare businesses, strengthening communities
The Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) is a nonprofit community development financial institution that mobilizes capital and partnerships to expand access to funding.
Small Firm Diaries, USA: Understanding how small businesses really work — and what they need to grow
Small Firm Diaries, USA is a two-year study, led by the Financial Access Initiative at NYU Wagner and EA Consultants.
Hyphen: Advancing access to capital access through a national public-private partnership
Hyphen catalyzes multi-sector partnerships, leverages philanthropic leadership and resources, and deploys strategic communications to address urgent needs facing entrepreneurs.
Ascend: Supporting growing medium-sized businesses in Atlanta — and beyond
Ascend is a national network of local ecosystems that provides resources and market access to growing businesses.
Community Reinvestment Fund, USA: Powering small business growth by modernizing community lending
Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF) is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to improve lives and strengthen communities through innovative financial solutions.
Accessity: Expanding access to credit for low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs
Accessity is a Community Development Financial Institution focused on providing economic opportunity to entrepreneurs in Southern California.
