AEO is a national membership organization dedicated to supporting the development of strong and effective U.S. microenterprise initiatives to assist underserved entrepreneurs in starting, stabilizing, and expanding businesses.
The U.S. microenterprise industry serves approximately 250,000 current and aspiring entrepreneurs annually, creating nearly 850,000 new U.S. jobs each year. Microenterprise is a powerful tool against poverty and unemployment. AEO and its members provide the opportunity and tools, particularly for the disadvantaged, to create jobs, build wealth and strong communities.
AEO’s membership base consists of more than 400 practitioners, funders, state organizations and other stakeholders provide funding, training and technical assistance.
Among the services provided to current and aspiring microentrepreneurs by development organizations are:
• Business start-up assistance
• Business plan preparation
• Technical assistance
• Access to capital support and assistance
• Business stabilization and growth development
• Networking opportunities
• Technology training
• Access to markets
Now is the time to demonstrate how the microenterprise community can help drive economic solutions in the U.S.
Now is the time to partner with AEO and its members to make an impact on the lives of millions of Americans through knowledge and best practices sharing, industry reporting, and by taking action to create a united and powerful community voice.
Together we can influence and shape policies that directly affect the microenterprise industry.
