Initiative For A Competitive Inner City

United States · Nonprofit Organization Management

The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) is a nonprofit organization established in 1994 by Harvard Professor Michael Porter. It aims to promote economic prosperity in under-resourced urban communities across the U.S. by encouraging private sector investment to create jobs and wealth for local residents. ICIC is recognized as a leading authority on inner city economies, focusing on strategies to eliminate concentrated poverty and close the racial wealth gap. ICIC offers a range of services, including research and strategy development, business education, and capital access. It conducts analyses to identify growth opportunities for inner city businesses and provides executive training programs, particularly for BIPOC and women contractors. The organization also facilitates loan assistance for food startups in low-income areas and connects businesses with financial institutions. Additionally, ICIC publishes reports on urban economic trends and recognizes the fastest-growing small businesses in inner cities through its Inner City 100 list. Its work emphasizes market-driven solutions and the potential of inner city economies.