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Culturally Informed Business Development Self-Assessment
Entrepreneurial support organizations (ESOs) support, mentor, train, and sometimes fund entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses. They provide business development services and resources to help founders develop, scale, and sustain viable businesses, fostering innovation and economic growth.

ESOs include accelerators, incubators, entrepreneurship centers, small business development centers, and venture capital firms. They may be based at universities, government agencies, or operate as for-profit or nonprofit organizations.Supporting diverse entrepreneurs requires intentional planning and resource allocation.

Use the Culturally Informed Business Development (CIBD) Self-Assessment Quiz below to evaluate how prepared your organization is to empower the next generation of global entrepreneurs.
Culturally Informed Business Development Assessment

Entrepreneurial support organizations (ESOs) support, mentor, train, and sometimes fund entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses. They provide business development services and resources to help founders develop, scale, and sustain viable businesses, fostering innovation and economic growth.

ESOs include accelerators, incubators, entrepreneurship centers, small business development centers, and venture capital firms. They may be based at universities, government agencies, or operate as for-profit or nonprofit organizations.

Supporting diverse entrepreneurs requires intentional planning and resource allocation. Use the Culturally Informed Business Development (CIBD) Self-Assessment Quiz below to evaluate how prepared your organization is to empower the next generation of global entrepreneurs.

Instructions

For each statement, rate your ESO on a scale from 1 (Not at all) to 5 (Fully implemented) where:

1 = Not Implemented / Significant Gaps
2 = Minimal Implementation / Many Gaps
3 = Moderately Implemented / Some Gaps
4 = Largely Implemented / Minor Gaps
5 = Fully Implemented / Best Practices in Place

After rating each statement, sum the scores for each section. You can then compare your scores against the provided benchmarks to see where your organization stands and identify areas for improvement.

Take your assessment

1Organizational Commitment & Culture

Every organization has a company culture that dictates how it runs. This section assesses if cultural competency is built into the foundation of your organization as a whole.

Assessment for Organizational Commitment & Culture
Criteria Rating (1-5) Comments/Examples
Mission & Vision clearly articulate a commitment to leverage lived experience to effectively support development of founders and their businesses.
Leadership & Staff reflect the communities served and have received cultural competency training.
Policies & Practices embed emotional intelligence and cultural competency principles in program design and operations.
Community Engagement is ongoing, with regular input from entrepreneurs of various cultural backgrounds.
Section 1 Total Score: 0 / 20

2Entrepreneur Support Resources

The entrepreneurs you support come from various walks of life and lived experiences. This section assesses how your organization integrates cultural competency into the resources provided to the entrepreneurs your organization supports.

Assessment for Entrepreneur Support Resources
Criteria Rating (1-5) Comments/Examples
Business Development Materials incorporate culturally relevant case studies and best practices.
Funding & Financial Support includes resources tailored to the needs and unique experiences of diverse founders.
Mentorship & Coaching intentionally connects entrepreneurs with culturally competent advisors.
Workshops & Training address specific cultural challenges (e.g., informal economies, cooperative business models, alternative credit systems).
Section 2 Total Score: 0 / 20

3Consultants & Experts

Supporting your entrepreneurs goes beyond direct contact with your organization. This section assesses if the consultants/SMEs/resource providers your organization partners with offer culturally informed support as well.

Assessment for Consultants & Experts
Criteria Rating (1-5) Comments/Examples
Diverse Consultant Network includes professionals with vast experience working with and in underserved communities.
Culturally Competent Advisors understand systemic barriers and unique market conditions and how they impact the business development journey of their clients.
Lived Experience Representation ensures the pool of advisors and consultants reflect the entrepreneurs they serve proportionally.
Section 3 Total Score: 0 / 15

4Strategic Partnerships & Networks

ESOs provide entrepreneurs with introductions and access to networks that can be critical to their company's growth and success. This section assesses the cultural variety of your partnership ecosystem.

Assessment for Strategic Partnerships & Networks
Criteria Rating (1-5) Comments/Examples
Ecosystem Partnerships include organizations advocating for minority-owned businesses.
Capital Access Partnerships provide access to non-traditional funding sources.
Corporate & Institutional Support includes supplier diversity and inclusive procurement programs.
Global & Diaspora Networks support market expansion for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Section 4 Total Score: 0 / 20

5Accountability & Continuous Improvement

An entrepreneur's journey extends beyond their touchpoint with your organization. This section assesses how well you incorporate feedback for future entrepreneurs and how you support your alumni community.

Assessment for Accountability & Continuous Improvement
Criteria Rating (1-5) Comments/Examples
Regular Evaluations assess the effectiveness of culturally informed support.
Entrepreneur Feedback Mechanisms are in place to measure program impact.
Staff & Board Development includes ongoing training on culturally competent business support.
Transparency & Reporting track equity-focused business development outcomes.
Section 5 Total Score: 0 / 20

Your Information

Please enter your first name
Please enter a valid email address
Please enter your organization name
Please enter a valid LinkedIn URL

Your Assessment Results

Organizational Commitment & Culture

Score: 0 / 20

Entrepreneur Support Resources

Score: 0 / 20

Consultants & Experts

Score: 0 / 15

Strategic Partnerships & Networks

Score: 0 / 20

Accountability & Continuous Improvement

Score: 0 / 20

Overall Assessment Score

0/95
Not Rated

Interpreting Your Score

80→95

Your ESO is a leader in culturally informed business development. It has fully integrated cultural awareness and inclusivity into every aspect of its support for entrepreneurs.

60→79

Strong foundation, but there's room for growth in specific areas.

40→59

Some culturally informed practices exist, but improvements are needed.

Below 40

Significant gaps exist; prioritize cultural competency development.

Recommendations for Improvement

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