MBN USA

September 02, 2025

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LBAN's three-pronged strategy: research, education and ecosystem-building

By Brenda Matamoros

3 Key Takeaways

•  The Latino Business Action Network’s mission is to empower Hispanic-owned entrepreneurship in the U.S.
•  Latinos are starting businesses at nearly double the national rate, contributing significantly to job creation and innovation.
•  Latino-owned businesses generate $800 billion annually to the U.S. economy.

For the Latino Business Action Network (LBAN), an independent nonprofit based in Silicon Valley, its mission is to grow the U.S. economy by empowering Latino entrepreneurship. At the center of this effort is the LBAN team of dedicated professionals led by CEO Arturo Cázares — a group of individuals whose commitment and expertise are building a stronger, more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem for Latinos across the country.

Latino-owned businesses now exceed five million, generating more than $800 billion annually, according to the LBAN-SLEI State of Latino Entrepreneurship Report. The report shows that without the rapid creation of new companies by Latino entrepreneurs, the total number of U.S. businesses would have declined. According to the same report, in the last five years, the number of Latino-owned businesses grew by 44% compared to a slight decline in other groups, contributing significantly to job creation and innovation.

Despite this growth, barriers remain. Latino founders receive less than 2% of venture capital funding, even as they account for nearly one-fifth of tech companies, according to the report.. Limited access to corporate and government procurement contracts also restricts growth. LBAN works to address these ecosystem challenges so that Latino-owned businesses — and all entrepreneurs — can thrive.

“We don’t start with what’s ‘missing’ in Latino entrepreneurs. We start with their power — and then address the ecosystem deficiencies that block opportunity,” Cázares said.

Scaling power

He said LBAN’s strategy rests on three pillars: research, education and ecosystem-building.

Research. The annual State of Latino Entrepreneurship Report, produced with Stanford University, documents Latino economic contributions and highlights barriers to growth. It is cited by institutions including the Federal Reserve System and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Additionally, every March LBAN, along with Stanford Graduate School of Business, cohosts the State of Latino Entrepreneurship Summit, which is open to the public.

Education. LBAN delivers two Stanford-based programs — the Business Scaling Program and the StartUp Accelerator. These nine-week experiences combine instruction from Stanford faculty, mentorship and peer learning. More than 1,400 entrepreneurs have completed the programs, gaining tools for growth and a supportive network.

Ecosystem. LBAN sustains an ongoing network of alumni, mentors, banks, venture capital firms and corporate partners. The guiding motto is: “Do business with each other. Get business for each other.”

“We are scaling the power of community to a national level — connecting entrepreneurs to each other, to opportunity and to the future they deserve,” Cázares said.

According to the U.S. Latino GDP Report by the Latino Donor Collaborative,  U.S. Latinos represent a $4.1 trillion gross domestic product, comparable to the fifth-largest economy in the world. According to Cázares, Latino-owned firms are growing revenue at a faster rate than the average. If ecosystem challenges are addressed, these companies will reach the average size of U.S. companies, and the country would gain an additional $1.1 trillion in output.

Building networks

LBAN’s work reframes the narrative of Latino entrepreneurship as one of power and opportunity. The organization emphasizes that expanding access is not zero-sum; growth for Latinos expands the economy for everyone.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, LBAN’s alumni ecosystem provided vital support. Entrepreneurs shared solutions, contacts and strategies to secure PPP loans and navigate uncertainty.

The annual State of Latino Entrepreneurship Summit at Stanford brings together over 1,000 participants, including entrepreneurs, capital providers and policymakers. Regional events in Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles and Houston extend this community-building nationwide.

“We make talent visible and equip entrepreneurs and capital allocators to overcome the gatekeeping that holds back opportunity and economic growth,” Cázares said.

Cázares’ journey

Before becoming LBAN’s CEO, Cázares’ own life shaped his commitment to fairness and opportunity. He was born in Mexico and immigrated as a child with his family to California’s Central Valley. Beginning at age 10, he and his siblings worked alongside their father in the fields. His parents, who had only completed two years of grade school, had no choice but to rely on their labor and that of their children to survive.

Cázares recalls his father telling him, “In this country, Mexicans need to work twice as hard. But it’s OK. We can work three times as hard.”

It is not right for children to have to shoulder that kind of burden, but when survival demanded it, like many Latinos, Cázares’ family did what was necessary. He and his brothers were fortunate — they eventually found a path out of the fields. Yet, he never forgot that many other children worked just as hard and were equally deserving, but were not as lucky.

That awareness became a powerful motivator as Cázares gained an education, citizenship and opportunities. It has shaped his lifelong commitment to improving conditions so that success is not left to luck or superhuman effort but built on fairness and access for all.

Cázares became the first in his family to attend Stanford University, where, as an alumnus, he founded the Stanford Latino Alumni Association to create lasting connections for Latino graduates. He had senior leadership positions in several technology startups, as well as led large multibillion-dollar business units with thousands of employees at large corporations. Since becoming LBAN’s CEO in 2021, he has led a team that has expanded programs, research and partnerships to support entrepreneurs nationwide. Today, LBAN is recognized as a thought leader on Latino entrepreneurship, working to build an ecosystem where opportunities are shared, not hoarded.

“Talent exists everywhere, but opportunity does not. My hope is to open more doors so more people can shape a better future — for themselves, their community and our country,” Cázares said.

Measuring outcomes

LBAN evaluates its progress by tracking citations of its research, the success of program graduates and the growth of its ecosystem. Its research is used by policymakers and financial institutions, while alumni secure contracts, raise capital and create jobs. Each success story demonstrates the impact of combining talent with opportunity.

LBAN’s role is to act as both catalyst and convener, Cázares said. Through programs, research, education, a growing network and community-building, it works to create a healthier entrepreneurial ecosystem and a stronger U.S. economy.

“What’s more American than creating a fair society where everyone has a chance to succeed? By building a healthier ecosystem, we unlock growth for everyone,” Cázares said.

LBAN is advancing a vision of entrepreneurship that is inclusive, data-driven and collaborative. Through programs, research and a growing network, it is helping to shape an economy where access is broadened and opportunities are shared.

To learn more about LBAN, visit lban.us.

To learn more about the State of Latino Entrepreneurship Report, visit lban.us/research.