U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) recently introduced a bipartisan bill that seeks to support small business growth and expand access to entrepreneurship resources for students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs).
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of PA-1 and communities across America—but too often, minority entrepreneurs face barriers to getting started,” the congressman said.
Toward helping to rectify the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in underserved communities, including access to capital, mentorship, and business development support, Rep. Fitzpatrick cosponsored legislation that would establish a new Small Business Administration-run grant program to support student entrepreneurs at HBCUs and MSIs.
The Minority Entrepreneurship Grant Program Act of 2025, H.R. 3793, was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams (D-GA) on June 5, along with original cosponsors that included Rep. Fitzpatrick and three other lawmakers.
The bill would authorize $50 million in funding to support and sustain the new SBA-administered grant program. In addition, the legislation would provide funding for technical assistance, business development training, mentoring, incubators, accelerators, and capital access, according to a bill summary. Institutions would have the flexibility to use the grants to assist students with launching or expanding their businesses.
“This is about unlocking potential, expanding access to capital, and giving every aspiring entrepreneur—regardless of background—the opportunity to build, grow, and lead,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said.
America’s economic strength has always been driven by its entrepreneurs. Yet for too many aspiring founders, especially those from underserved communities, access to capital, mentorship, and business development support remains out of reach.
Minority-owned businesses employ nearly 10 million Americans and contribute over $357 billion in annual payroll. But despite this immense contribution to our economy, 8 in 10 minority-owned businesses still fail within their first 18 months—often due to barriers to opportunity, not potential.
