Creating a moreequitable world
When entrepreneurship is accessible topeople from all walks of life, the world isa better place.
Shanaz Hemmati, Co-Founder & COO
Entrepreneurship for all
We strive to make successful small business ownership easy for anyone who wants to run their own company. We all benefit when people pursue their passions and contribute their best work to society. Small business opportunities have historically excluded many people, and we’re dedicated to changing that. That’s why we became a Public Benefit Corporation, committed to operating responsibly and sustainably while doing good work that benefits our communities.
Public benefit is in everything we do. While the official benefit we provide is “to promote entrepreneurship by providing accessible products and responsive support,” we don’t stop there.
$5K grant program for customers
Since 2020, we’ve given away $540,000 in grants. Recently, we created programs to support moms, people with neurodivergence, and those affected by recent layoffs. To amplify our impact, we partner with incredible nonprofits that support underrepresented communities. This year, we will award $5,000 grants to over 40 different businesses.
Learn more and apply
Serving our communities
We’re passionate about giving back and supporting causes that matter to our team. That’s why we offer employees paid time off to volunteer within their communities either in person or virtually. Team members have volunteered for Austin Pets Alive, Atlanta Community Food Bank, and Coats for Kids through the Junior League of Austin.
Our inclusive workplace
At ZenBusiness, every voice counts. We started this company knowing that diverse points of view bring out our best ideas. Our commitment to DEI creates a culture where team members feel appreciated, valued, and respected across every level of our company.
Amplifying our impact
Giving back is essential to our mission. We increase our impact by partnering with incredible non-profits that support underrepresented communities.
We’re proud sponsors of the Dallas Mavericks’ Mavs Business Assist program, an initiative to empower 100 diverse entrepreneurs with access to the knowledge, tools, and support they need to succeed and grow their businesses. Entrepreneurs in the program receive access to the ZenBusiness platform and the opportunity to connect and learn at business sessions and networking events.
We contribute to underserved communities through our work with Kiva. Kiva’s mission is to expand financial access for potential business owners who can’t access other fair or affordable credit.
We’re proud supporters of Synergies Work, the only incubator/accelerator in the U.S. that helps people with disabilities create sustainable businesses. They offer programs such as Ideas to Incubation (i2i), mentoring, workshops, and an ongoing structure to support entrepreneurs with disabilities.
We support Inmates to Entrepreneurs which helps people judicially involved to start their own businesses and overcome systemic discrimination. Founded by Brian Hamilton, it is the longest-running program of its kind. They provide free programming & mentorship and to date, more than 100,000 individuals have utilized the program’s courses and 20-30% have started their own companies.
We’ve partnered with DivInc, a nonprofit whose mission is to bridge the gap between underrepresented entrepreneurs and the resources they need to build profitable, high-growth companies. They offer accelerator programs such as: Women in Tech, Clean Energy, Sports Tech, Social Justice Tech, and Web3. DivInc alumni companies have generated over $4.8 million in revenue, helped create over 422 jobs, and have raised over $14.7 million in investments.
Part of our mission is to support potential entrepreneurs through education. One program we support is Lemonade Day, which gives the next gen of entrepreneurs fun, hands-on experience starting their own business that they may not get anywhere else. Kids learn tons of skills by operating their own lemonade stand.
For almost 20 years, Latinitas has helped tens of thousands of girls find their voices through a STEM-based curriculum that is taught in after-school clubs, one-day conferences, summer camps, and certification programs in coding and journalism. We’re proud to support their annual entrepreneurial summit for girls and non-binary students as they learn business skills needed to launch their own sustainable startup or product.
For over a decade, digitalundivided has increased visibility and access for diverse women founders. They champion an equitable entrepreneurial landscape, providing women at various stages of running a business the space to improvise and innovate. When you empower women, you transform entrepreneurship.
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