1996
Founded as Oakland Advisors
Launched in response to corporate disinvestment in Oakland, ICA began as a volunteer-driven organization providing hands-on business advising to local entrepreneurs.
Building the
future of investing.
Building the
future of community wealth.
Building the
future of local markets.
Building the
future of good jobs.
Building an economy that works for all.
Celebrating30 years of ICA
Backing great businesses since 1996
ICA is celebrating 30 years of backing great businesses and proving what’s possible when underrepresented founders get the support they deserve. And now, together, we are charting the future of our local economy.
View our Impactour history
30 years of local impact.
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early 2000’s
Survives Financial Crisis
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2019
Leadership Transition & Renewed Mission
Following a CEO transition, ICA hired Allison Kelly, marking a strategic inflection point. The organization expanded its investment activity and sharpened the impact focus towards closing the gender and racial wealth gaps.
2020 - 2024
Growing Investment Practice
Late 1990’s
Becomes Inner City Advisors
2013
Launch of Fund Good Jobs
In the wake of the Great Recession, entrepreneurs’ limited access to capital made clear that coaching alone was not enough. ICA developed a unique investment strategy and formally launched an investment fund in 2013 to provide flexible capital to entrepreneurs excluded from traditional financing.
2020
Unified as ICA
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2020 - Present
Building the Future
In our current era, ICA continues to refine our investment practice. Today, and looking to the future, we are building the future of investing and proving that backing overlooked entrepreneurs delivers both social and financial returns.
1996
Founded as Oakland Advisors
Launched in response to corporate disinvestment in Oakland, ICA began as a volunteer-driven organization providing hands-on business advising to local entrepreneurs.
Late 1990’s
Becomes Inner City Advisors
early 2000’s
Survives Financial Crisis
2013
Launch of Fund Good Jobs
In the wake of the Great Recession, entrepreneurs’ limited access to capital made clear that coaching alone was not enough. ICA developed a unique investment strategy and formally launched an investment fund in 2013 to provide flexible capital to entrepreneurs excluded from traditional financing.
2019
Leadership Transition & Renewed Mission
Following a CEO transition, ICA hired Allison Kelly, marking a strategic inflection point. The organization expanded its investment activity and sharpened the impact focus towards closing the gender and racial wealth gaps.
2020
Unified as ICA
2020 - 2024
Growing Investment Practice
2020 - Present
Building the Future
In our current era, ICA continues to refine our investment practice. Today, and looking to the future, we are building the future of investing and proving that backing overlooked entrepreneurs delivers both social and financial returns.
Our future
Building the future of investing.
Investing should create real value in the real economy. By backing revenue-generating businesses ready to scale, we’re proving that it’s possible to achieve both. This is how investing should work: grounded in real businesses, real jobs, and real shared wealth.
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Help scale what works. Invest in the next 30 years of opportunity.
Local entrepreneurs are building the future of our economy. When they have access to the right capital and support, small businesses create good jobs, strengthen communities, and build shared prosperity.
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