We’re Centro
We foster socioeconomic change by providing business advisory services and leadership programs to rising yet underserved entrepreneurs who want to launch or grow their businesses and create jobs in their communities.
Our Mission
As a 501c3 non-profit organization, our mission is to build thriving communities by providing underserved, low-income entrepreneurs with entrepreneurship education, one-on-one business advising, mentorship, and access to capital.
Latest News
We are looking for new Entrepreneurship Trainers!
We are looking for Entrepreneurship trainers to teach our Entrepreneurship Programs and provide Business Advising. We are looking for someone who can explain complex business…
“Colombia is flavor, is passion, is joy, is life through Olala” – Edisney
Para leer en español, haz click aquí RESILIENCE TO OVERCOME Edisney Roa Trujillo is a Latina entrepreneur and founder of Olalá Popsicles in San Jose,…
Quarterly Capital Hub Update
In this quarterly Capital Hub update we’ll share some of our accomplishments, a new video about the Kiva process, how entrepreneurs can build their credit…
Shop from some of our favorite Bay Area small businesses in “Shop the Bay” Guide 2022!
The Shop the Bay is back for this Holiday Season! Check out this directory now and find an array of extraordinary globally-inspired products, artisan goods…
Inspired by the women of Centro and how they thrive to succeed – Martine
Meet Martine My name is Martine Zaarour, I am an architect and entrepreneur from Lebanon. I joined Centro in August 2022 as a fellow through…
2022 Q3 Update
We have some important updates regarding entrepreneurs served, the Centro Business Planning App, access to capital, one-on-one assistance, and Centro Business Planning App. You can…
Centro awarded with Justworks.org grant
We’re excited to share that we have been awarded a grant from Justworks.org. We are honored to be selected as one of five non-profit organization…
Featured E-Suite Partner: Bethel LA CDC
Para leer en español, haz click aquí We are pleased to feature one of our first partner organizations: Bethel Los Angeles Community Development Corporation (Bethel).…
Organización aliada destacada de E-Suite: Bethel LA CDC
To read in English, click here Nos complace presentar a una de nuestras primeras organizaciones afiliadas: Bethel Los Angeles Community Development Corporation (Bethel). Frank Stokes…
“My wish is to see a new generation at peace and in control of their emotions” – Ingrid
Para leer en español, haz click aquí CREATING A UNIQUE SERVICE Ingrid Sanchez is a Latina entrepreneur originally from Colombia, now located in San Jose,…
“Mi deseo es ver una nueva generación en paz y que controle sus emociones” – Ingrid
To read in English, click here CREANDO UN SERVICIO ÚNICO Ingrid Sanchez es una emprendedora latina originaria de Colombia, ahora localizada en San Jose, California.…
Centro awarded an eBay Foundation Global Give grant
We’re excited to share that we received an eBay Foundation Global Give grant to support women and minority entrepreneurs. We are grateful to eBay Foundation…
Organización aliada destacada de E-Suite Women Enabled Enterprises
To read in English, click here Es un gran placer para nosotros contar con la renovación de Women Enabled Enterprises (WEE) como afiliado de E-Suite…
Featured E-Suite Partner: Women Enabled Enterprises
It’s a great pleasure for us to have Women Enabled Enterprises (WEE) renewing as an E-Suite Affiliate for the third year, and we want to…
2022 Q2 Update & W.K. Kellogg Foundation Grant
Here are some big milestones we achieved during the second quarter of 2022! In addition to updates about entrepreneurs served, the Centro Business Planning App,…
“Look for help because there is support and you are not alone.” – Paola
Para leer en español, haz click aquí FOLLOWING HER DREAMS Paola Alvarado is a Latina entrepreneur who changed her outlook on work and life…
“Busca ayuda porque hay apoyo y no estáis solos” – Paola
Para leer en español, haz click aquí SIGUIENDO SUS SUEÑOS Paola Alvarado es una emprendedora Latina que cambió su visión del trabajo y vida en…
Centro selected by Stand Together Foundation as one of the most transformative nonprofits in the country
We are proud to announce that we have been selected to participate in Stand Together Foundation’s Catalyst Program, a management training and peer-learning program to…
Centro selected as one of MIT Solve X Truist Foundation Inspire Awards semi-finalists
We are honored to share that we have been chosen among the 15 semi-finalists of MIT Solve X Truist Foundation Inspire Awards. The Truist Foundation…
Centro Awarded with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Grant
We’re excited to share that we received a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to invest in our technological infrastructure and scale our capacity to…
Organización aliada destacada de E-Suite: Prospera
Hoy queremos destacar a una de nuestras organizaciones afiliadas de la Suite de Emprendimiento (E-Suite), Prospera. Prospera se alía con emprendedoras latinas en el Área…
Featured E-Suite Partner: Prospera
Today we want to highlight one of our Featured E-Suite Affiliates, Prospera. Prospera partners with Latina entrepreneurs in the Bay Area to launch businesses that…
2022 Q1 Update & $1.5M in Kiva Loans!
We are excited to share some big milestones we achieved during the first quarter of 2022! In addition to updates about entrepreneurs served, the Centro…
My brand is inspired by Latina women – Jessica Muñoz
Para leer en español, haz click aquí TRANSFORMING A CRISIS INTO A NEW DREAM Jessica Muñoz is a Latina designer, entrepreneur and creator of 2QTooCute.…
Mi marca está inspirada en mujeres Latinas – Jessica Muño
To read in English, click here TRANSFORMANDO UNA CRISIS EN UN NUEVO SUEÑO Jessica Muñoz es una diseñadora y emprendedora latina, creadora de la marca…
Making a positive impact in the community with Centro’s Advisor Program
Para leer en español, haz click aquí “Hello, I’m Anie de la Rosa Clark, and I became involved in Centro as a volunteer advisor, while…
Creando Impacto Positivo en la Comunidad con el Programa de Asesores de Centro
To read in English, click here “Hola, soy Anie de la Rosa Clark, y me involucré en Centro como asesora voluntaria, mientras cursaba mi MBA…
Building integrity, empowerment, and community – Misty
SECOND CHANCES Misty L. Franklin is a leader within her community and a professional speaker who utilizes her voice to help build integrity, empowerment, and…
Centro awarded with the Umpqua Impact grant
We’re excited to share that we received a grant from Umpqua Bank. The award will help Centro build internal capacity and offer culturally relevant technical…
We are looking for new Entrepreneurship Trainers!
We are excited to grow our team of trainers! If you are in the Bay Area or New York Area, have experience teaching or facilitating…
2021 Summary Update
We are excited to share a high level summary of our work during 2021. In addition to summaries of entrepreneurs served, the Centro Business Planning…
New To-Do List added to our Business Planning App
We are excited to share that we have launched a new version of our Centro Business Planning App with a new To-Do List, where you…
Centro selected as part of the Citi Foundation’s Community Progress Makers
We are honored to be selected as part of the newest cohort of Citi Foundation’s Community Progress Makers! The Foundation’s unrestricted grant support & technical…
“Centro me ayudó tanto que durante el programa comencé a pensar en crear otro negocio” – Karla Salgado
To read in English, click here CONOCE A KARLA SALGADO, CO-FUNDADORA DE ELGIE’S HOT DIGGITY DAWGS Karla era una profesional de éxito en ventas en…
“Centro helped me so much that during the program I started thinking about starting another business” – Karla Salgado
Para leer en español, haz click aquí MEET KARLA SALGADO, CO-FOUNDER OF ELGIE’S HOT DIGGITY DAWGS Karla was a successful sales professional in her country,…
Some of our favorite Bay Area small businesses are now together, in one place! The new local guide “Shop the Bay”
As you probably know, we are part of the San Francisco Economic Development Alliance (SFEDA), and as a group that advocates for local small business…
“I tell entrepreneurs to break out of their comfort zone” – Raysa Veras, founder of Rouge Hoops
Para leer en español, haz click aquí A BUSINESS BORN FROM LOVE Since she was a child, Raysa Veras loved the accessories and the color…
“A los emprendedores les digo que salgan de su zona de confort” – Raysa Veras, fundadora of Rouge Hoops
To read in English, click here UN NEGOCIO QUE NACE DESDE EL AMOR Desde niña, Raysa Veras amaba los accesorios y el color rojo, y…
Entrevista a Arturo Noriega en el programa de radio Buenos Días América de Univision
Estamos agradecidos por haber sido invitados a hablar con Andreina Gandica y Juan Carlos Aguiar en el programa de radio Buenos Días América donde Arturo…
“Thanks to Centro, I was able to create an organized business structure and complete my goals step by step” – Karla Padilla
Para leer en español, haz click aquí MEET KARLA PADILLA, FOUNDER OF HOUSE OF BEAUTY BY KARLA Karla Padilla, always dreamed about creating a beauty…
“Gracias a Centro, pude crear una estructura de negocio organizada y cumplir mis objetivos paso a paso” – Karla Padilla
To read in English, click here CONOCE A KARLA PADILLA, FUNDADORA DE HOUSE OF BEAUTY BY KARLA Karla Padilla, siempre soñó con crear un salón…
Launching the San Francisco Kiva Hub
We are excited to share that as of September 1, 2021 Centro Community Partners (Centro) will be the Kiva Hub for San Francisco. Joshua received…
$1 Million in Kiva loans!
In January 2020 we officially launched the Centro Capital Hub as a way to connect Centro graduates and local entrepreneurs with different capital alternatives. With…
Centro is searching for a partner to centralize our data systems!
Just like our entrepreneurs, we thrive when we partner effectively and continue to improve. We are ready to level-up our data systems so we can…
Winner of MIT Solve Challenge 2021
We are honored and very excited to share we are one of the five winners of the Reimagining Pathways to Employment Challenge, presented by MIT…
Finalists for The Workers Lab Innovation Fund Fall 2020
We are excited to announce that Centro was selected as one of the 10 finalist for The Workers Lab’s Innovation Fund for Fall 2020! Read…
From Flea Market Stall to Healthy Foods Business – Meet Ana and Juan Tabares, owners of Speedy Fruit
Obstacles and Opportunities for a Healthy Foods Business Starting your own business can seem like a series of insurmountable challenges. There are licenses, permits, business…
De un Puesto de Mercado de Pulgas a Un Negocio de Alimentos Saludables – Conoce a Ana y Juan Tabares, los propietarios de Speedy Fruit
Obstáculos y Oportunidades para un Negocio de Alimentos Saludables Iniciar tu propio negocio puede parecer una serie de desafíos insuperables. Hay licencias, permisos, planes de…
Centro Founder and CEO Awarded AARP 2021 Purpose Prize
We are honored share that Centro Founder and CEO Arturo Noriega is a winner of the AARP 2021 Purpose Prize, along with Mark Barden (Cofounder…
Sembrando las Semillas de Amor y Sabiduría en los Niños del Mundo de Adela
To read in English, click here Conoce a Adela Orucuta, Fundadora de Adela’s World of the Children Adela, una inmigrante de la Ciudad de México…