business

The Innovation Institute, an economic development agency housed within the larger quasi-governmental organization the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, has just launched an initiative aimed at increasing diversity in local tech industries.

Through a nationwide accelerator program sponsored by the Citi Foundation and the organization Living Cities, Mayor Martin Walsh’s Office of Economic Development is planning to ramp up efforts to increase the number of women-owned and minority-owned vendors the city has contracts with.

It’s never too early for children to start learning about financial literacy, and in order to encourage them, OneUnited Bank is holding its ninth annual “I Got Bank!” Youth Essay and Art Contest.

Of more than $664 million that the city of Boston spent on procurement contracts in fiscal year 2018, including construction, services and products, less than 1 percent went to minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MBEs and WBEs), according to data released last week by the city’s Office of Economic Development.

About 10 percent of the labor force — or more than 15 million people — work for themselves, according to the Bureau for Labor Statistics. Successful small-business owners create jobs and economic opportunity while avoiding mistakes and seizing innovation and the future.

A beloved hobby can feel like a mini vacation from everyday life. Whether it’s gardening for relaxation, photography as a creative outlet or computer coding to exercise the brain, hobbies serve as an escape from stress and boredom.

Cojuelos’ Productions, launched nearly two years ago, is a for-profit enterprise specializing in diverse and culturally-oriented programming and high-end special events within the arts.

On Saturday, the Bay State Banner presented its second edition of Money Talk: A free financial literacy conference for communities of color, featuring an entire day of keynote speakers and workshops on wealth building.

Through her consulting firm, In Order Business Development Solutions, local entrepreneur Shelley Webster helps to address economic inequality in Boston by putting minority- and women-owned contractors in front of developers who are building million- and even billion-dollar projects.

After an arduous four-year process since approaching the City of Boston with their intention to start an urban farm specializing in microgreens, horticulturists Tim Smith and Lisa Evans are finally making it happen.

El Huipil Cocina Mexicana holds a special place in the hearts of restaurant owners Alma and Alonso Moreno.

As part of WeWork Boston’s Third Thursday series, a monthly convening event for African American and Latinx professionals and entrepreneurs, two local entrepreneurs last week each led a talk spotlighting their own experiences in business.