Latino Business Action Network-LBAN

We're one week away from our free networking reception! 🌵 Join us on June 23 for LBAN's State of Latino Entrepreneurship Reception, where entrepreneurs, capital providers, corporate leaders, and local ecosystem builders will come together to build meaningful connections and create new opportunities.

Expect an engaging panel with local ecosystem leaders, the latest insights from our State of Latino Entrepreneurship research, and a networking reception designed to spark real conversations and collaborations.

📍 Helios Education Foundation
⏰ Tuesday, June 23 | 8:00 AM
🔗 https://luma.com/d68g77ty

This reception is free and open to all, but space is limited. Reserve your spot today and share this invitation with anyone who should be part of the conversation as we continue strengthening the Phoenix entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Our free networking receptions in and are coming up soon! Join us as we activate these local ecosystems to build meaningful connections and create new opportunities for all.

Why attend?
➡️ Expand your network by connecting with entrepreneurs, capital providers, corporate leaders, and ecosystem builders
➡️ Engage in real conversations with a panel of local ecosystem leaders
➡️ Hear the latest insights from LBAN's State of Latino Entrepreneurship Report
➡️ Build meaningful relationships that go beyond the event
➡️ Free and open to all

📍 Phoenix · Tuesday, June 23 | Helios Education Foundation · 8:00–11:00 AM
https://luma.com/d68g77ty

📍 San Antonio · Tuesday, June 30 | McNay Art Museum · 4:00–7:00 PM
https://luma.com/q0945vi1

Capacity is limited; secure your spot today!

Last year, we convened and activated the local ecosystems in Denver and Chicago, bringing together hundreds of entrepreneurs, capital providers, mentors, and community leaders.

This June, we're bringing that same energy to and through our State of Latino Entrepreneurship (SOLE) Networking Receptions!

LBAN, in partnership with Bank of America, will convene entrepreneurs, mentors, capital providers, and ecosystem builders in one room to strengthen connections, share resources, and open doors to new opportunities.

Expect the latest research insights, an engaging panel discussion, and valuable networking opportunities with a supportive community.

Join us as we activate two more local ecosystems:
📍 Phoenix · Tuesday, June 23 (Helios Education Foundation)
📍 San Antonio · Tuesday, June 30 (McNay Art Museum)

These events are free and open to all, but capacity is limited. Don’t miss out!

Register here: lban.us/events

What an incredible weekend as we celebrated the graduation of Cohort 21 of the LBAN Business Scaling Program & Cohort 3 of the LBAN Startup Accelerator!

We welcomed 118 entrepreneurs from across the U.S. back in the Bay Area to mark the completion of two wonderful programs. These founders are now part of the growing alumni network of 1,600+ business owners nationwide who are scaling, supporting each other, and impacting their communities.

Graduation weekend was filled with meaningful connections, from capital matchmaking sessions to hands-on conversations on startup law, finance, marketing, angel investing, and leadership, as well as an insightful lecture by Stanford Instructor Inbal Demri Shaham, PhD.

We had the honor of having Stanford Prof. Emeritus Jerry Porras, co-author of Built to Last and founder and visionary, who joined us for a very insightful fireside chat.

This weekend was a reminder of the power of these entrepreneurs and the impact of joining a mutually supportive ecosystem that can provide the access and resources needed to scale.

🚀 Interested in joining the next LBAN cohort?
Applications for Cohort 22 of the LBAN Business Scaling Program (starting Fall 2026) are now open! If you’re an entrepreneur or founder ready to scale your company and grow within a nationally recognized network, we invite you to apply:
🔗 www.lban.us/our-programs
(link in bio)

We are excited to welcome the panelists joining us at the State of Latino Entrepreneurship (SOLE) Networking Reception in Phoenix on June 23.

These are leaders helping shape and strengthen Arizona’s ecosystem every day through access to capital, entrepreneurship, education, and community building.

Scott Vanderpool | President, Bank of America Phoenix & Business Banking Market Executive
Mónica Susana Villalobos | President & CEO, Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Paul J. Luna | President & CEO, Helios Education Foundation
Moderated by Jennifer Garcia, COO of LBAN.

Join us as entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders, capital providers, and community leaders come together to share ideas, build relationships, and strengthen the local ecosystem. Learn the latest research insights, hear from these industry leaders, and connect with hundreds of attendees working to expand opportunity and access across Arizona.

Join us on June 23 at the Helios Education Foundation.
➡️ Register here: https://luma.com/d68g77ty

Behind every thriving business is a network that made it possible.

The LBAN Business Scaling Program connects you to a national ecosystem of entrepreneurs, mentors, and capital providers all united by one powerful mantra: “Do business with each other, get business for each other.”®

Through world-class content, 1:1 mentorship, and a 1,500+ alumni network, you gain more than knowledge; you build relationships that open doors.

This is what community-powered growth looks like.

Apply today → www.lban.us/our-programs

The 2026 Angeles 100 top startup list is out, and we’re excited to see 31 LBAN alumni recognized among this year’s top startups.

Each year, Angeles Investors highlights exceptional companies spanning Seed through Series E that have earned the attention, investment, and confidence of the venture capital ecosystem through their vision, momentum, and market impact.

“We are excited to have supported such an impressive group of entrepreneurs, who are not only driving economic growth in their communities but also creating solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.” - Arturo Cazares, LBAN CEO

A huge thank you to the Angeles Investors team for the work you do to support founders, connect them to capital, and help strengthen the broader startup ecosystem.

Congratulations to all the LBAN alumni recognized this year! (see the full list here: http://bit.ly/4eZOPok)
Arturo Elizondo - Every
Carolyn Rodz - Hello Alice
Savina Perez - Hone
Saskia Sorrosa - Fresh Bellies
Francisco Cornejo - Storybook
Sandra Velasquez - Nopalera
Margarita Womack - Maspanadas
Israel Niezen - Factored
Julian Alvarez - Logixboard
Jorge Torres - MindsDB
Maria Luisa Pineda - Envisagenics
Kristen Sonday - Paladin
Jaime Martinez - Schola
Carlos Antequera - Novel Capital
Adrian DeLeon - Innovare
Fernando DeLeon - Innovare
Rodrigo Carriedo - Propio Inc.
Álvaro Chávez - CodeGPT
Nicolás Rojas - Dapta
David Arreaga - Ares Materials
Ricardo Flores - miChamba
Claudia Bardales - Linker Finance
Eric Aguilar - Omnitron Sensors
Louis Sandoval - Supplyhive
Roberto Peñacastro Ortega - Leadsales
Carlos Chavez - Sytrex
Kayla Rodriguez Graff - Sweetbio
Francisco Martin-Rayo - Helios AI
Ania Rodriguez - JourneyTrack
Juan Manuel Barrero - Lazo
Felipe Chavez - Kiwibot

Seeing so many LBAN alumni on this year’s list is a reminder of how important access to community, mentorship, capital, and supportive ecosystems can be throughout the entrepreneurial journey.

If you’re interested in becoming part of LBAN’s national, mutually supportive ecosystem, learn more about our programs here: www.lban.us/our-programs

📊Latino entrepreneurs are not only expanding businesses nationwide, they are playing a central role in sustaining economic dynamism across the country’s largest state economies!

According to our SOLE research, between 2017 and 2023, Latino entrepreneurs created more net new firms and jobs than any other major racial or ethnic group in the U.S. In fact, without Latino-owned businesses, the U.S. would have experienced a net decline in the total number of businesses.
📍 61% of net new firms in California
📍 56% in Florida
📍 44% in Texas

And in New York, where the overall number of businesses declined, Latino-owned businesses added 6,000+ firms and offset nearly 40% of the state’s losses. Yet, major gaps in access to capital and contracts persist. Imagine what becomes possible for the economy when all entrepreneurs have equal access to capital, contracts, and the right ecosystem behind them.

At LBAN, we are building a national network of entrepreneurs, mentors, capital providers, and community builders united by one belief: “Do business with each other, get business for each other.”®

Apply today and become part of this powerful, mutually supportive ecosystem built to help entrepreneurs grow, scale, and thrive.
👉 Learn more here: lban.us/our-programs