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Press Releases

AEO Partners with Capital One Fund to Revolutionize Small Business Growth
(AEO) is proud to unveil our Transforming Small Business Support Initiative, a pioneering collaboration with the Capital One Fund, a fund of the Tide Foundation. This initiative marks a significant leap forward in the tools and resources available to underserved entrepreneurs, aiming to reshape the small business support landscape through innovative diagnostics and tailored solutions.

AEO Launches New Research Initiative to Enhance Worker Well-Being through Microbusiness
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: AEO Communications Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) [email protected] www.aeoworks.org AEO Launches New Research Initiative to Enhance Worker Well-Being through Microbusiness Washington, D.C., October...

Natalie Madeira Cofield Named to Washington Business Journal’s 2024 Women Who Mean Business Power List
For Immediate Release [email protected] Natalie Madeira Cofield Named to Washington Business Journal's 2024 Women Who Mean Business Power List [Washington, DC] – October 10, 2024 – The Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) is proud to announce that...

AEO Hosts Two NCRC Fellows in Partnership for Equitable Development
For Immediate Release [email protected] Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) Hosts Two NCRC Fellows in Partnership for Equitable Development Washington, D.C. — October 7, 2024 — The Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) is proud to...

New AEO Fact Sheet Offers Key Insights into Latino-Owned Businesses
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: AEO Communications Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) [email protected] www.aeoworks.org New AEO Fact Sheet Offers Key Insights into Latino-Owned Businesses Washington, D.C., October 3, 2024 – As...
AEO Policy Positions

AEO CEO Natalie Cofield Provides Congressional Testimony on Benefit Access for Independent Contractors
Testimony of the Association for Enterprise Opportunity U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Workforce Protections April 25, 2024 Unlock Opportunity: Allowing Independent Contractors to Access Benefits The Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) is a...

AEO President & CEO Addresses Racial Wealth Gap at Harvard Kennedy School
By Brendan Landry, Innovation Portfolio Manager, AEO Earlier this month, the Association for Enterprise Opportunity's (AEO) president and CEO, Natalie Madeira Cofield, took part in a panel discussion at the prestigious Black Policy Conference hosted at the John...
Policy News – February 29, 2024
On The Hill The House Committee on Small Business will hold a hearing next Thursday, 3/07 at 10:00 AM on “The Rare Earth Mineral Marketplace: Examining the Small Business Role in this Critical Supply Chain.” The House Committee on Small Business will hold a hearing...
Policy News – February 23, 2024
In The States Legislatures in various U.S. states are currently deliberating on more than 400 bills related to artificial intelligence (AI), placing a notable emphasis on the regulation of deep fakes. This surge in legislative engagement is a response to the swift...
Policy News – February 15, 2024
In The States California is expanding its commitment to AI innovation through the introduction of Senate Bill 1047. This proposal aims to establish CalCompute, a public cloud computing cluster designed to facilitate AI development for entrepreneurs and startups,...
Policy News – February 8, 2024
In The States The annual report was submitted to Governor Kay Ivey by the Alabama Workforce Council, providing an overview of workforce achievements in 2023 and suggesting policies to enhance workforce development. The report details the state's progress toward the...
AEO Insights & Observations

Celebrating National Independent Retailer Month
As we embrace the month of July, we are proud to celebrate National Independent Retailer Month, a time dedicated to honoring the independent retailers that serve as the backbone of our local economies. These businesses are more than just shops; they are vital...

Juneteenth: Driving Policy, Regional Collaboration, and Sustainable Growth for Black Entrepreneurs
As we commemorate Juneteenth, we celebrate not only the historical emancipation of enslaved African Americans but also the ongoing quest for economic equity and justice. This day serves as a poignant reminder of our collective responsibility to support Black...

Message from the CEO – Celebrating Immigrant Heritage Month: Honoring the Contributions of Immigrant Entrepreneurs
Dear AEO Members and Partners, As we celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month this June, we take the opportunity to reflect on the vital contributions of immigrant entrepreneurs to our nation's economy and the entrepreneurial landscape. At the Association for Enterprise...