CHICAGO, Ill., Sept. 12, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - Building on years of collaborative efforts, the Association for Corporate Growth in Chicago (ACG Chicago, Inc.) and the Chicago MBDA Business Center, leading a national access to capital initiative and part of a network of over 40 centers around the country funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), are presenting the 2014 Minority Finance Forum on October 21, 2014 at McCormick Place West. This forum for middle market, minority owned businesses will be presented in conjunction with the 15th annual Midwest ACG Capital Connection, home of the country's largest collection of private capital for middle market investment.
The U.S. Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency published in 2010 the Disparities in Capital Access Report that concluded, "Inadequate access to financial capital is found to be a particularly important constraint limiting the growth of minority-owned businesses." This collaboration combined with greater liquidity in the economy is a first step in closing this gap. "It is clear that America's diverse community of business leaders are driving growth in the middle market and the country's network of private capital should be investing in these companies," notes Craig Miller, CEO of ACG Chicago. MBDA and ACG Chicago have collaborated on various corporate growth and access to capital projects over the last three years, including a national webinar, a blog on succession and monthly advisory series with CEOs of minority owned businesses. "We have worked with some great companies over the last few years and are looking to raise the bar for all those in private capital to experience the value creation we've seen and to invest in America's future."
The Minority Business Forum will feature morning sessions on High Velocity Growth, Middle Market Capital Structures, and CEO War Stories plus extensive networking within the Midwest ACG Capital Connection. This 15th annual convention of middle market investors boasts a Grand Meeting Hall featuring approximately 150 private equity funds, mezzanine funds and lenders from 35-40 states and some foreign investment funds. Hans Bonner, Executive Director of the MBDA Business Center in Chicago, expands upon the collaboration, "We are excited to be spearheading this effort for our clients and to advance the national mandate of increasing minority business' access to capital."
The combination of this intensive day of deal making and relationship building with corporate leaders from across the MBDA network promises more investment, growth and value creation. More information is available at http://www.ACGChicago.com/MinorityFinanceForum.aspx .
About ACG Chicago
Celebrating its 46th year, ACG Chicago is a leader in the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) global network of over 14,000 professionals. The ACG Chicago mission is to be the premier network of experts and decision-making professionals focused on strategies for increasing stakeholder value. More than 1,000 foremost authorities in their fields comprise this diverse and knowledgeable Chicago network of corporate executives, capital sources, corporate advisors and service providers. Over 100 Board and committee members actively focus on these corporate growth needs to build unparalleled opportunities for networking, deal-making, personal growth and professional development. Visit http://www.ACGChicago.com for more information or call 877-224-6389.
About MBDA Business Center - Chicago
The MBDA Business Center - Chicago is funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) and is operated by the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (ChicagoMSDC) in partnership with the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC). The MBDA Business Center - Chicago seeks to develop alliances with local, state, and federal government agencies, major corporations, banks, financial resources and the minority business community to create larger, more strategic minority entrepreneurs. More information is available at http://www.mbda.gov/businesscenters/chicago or by calling 312-755-2565.
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ACG Chicago Craig Miller 877-224-6389
