LEADERSHIP IN EQUITABLE ANCHOR PROCUREMENT (LEAP)

Interise’s latest initiative, LEAP, brings Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), anchor institutions, and local governments together to explore and build local procurement opportunities. The results? Increased supplier diversity for anchor institutions, rock-solid procurement capacity for established minority-owned businesses, local wealth creation, and an inclusive economy that works for all.

INCLUSION FOR GROWTH

Through our extensive research, we know that contracting with anchor institutions like universities and hospitals, corporations, and government is an important factor to revenue growth. If established small businesses are integrated into the supplier and procurement systems, a cycle is created where purchasing benefits the contractor and leads to local wealth and job creation. That’s an inclusive model.

And yet, while governments and stakeholders across the country have identified inclusion in procurement and contracting as a top priority, it’s just not happening.

But we can change that – and we know it can be done because we’ve done it. With a strategy built on real cases and results tested through our Streetwise MBA program, our companies were able to secure over $2 billion in contracting and procurement opportunities over a five year period (2009-2014).

AN ECOSYSTEM VIEW

Increasing supplier diversity and creating local wealth can’t happen in a vacuum. LEAP takes an ecosystem approach, working with all stakeholders, including local anchors institutions, procurement officers, small business owners, capital providers, and capacity builders, through a series of guided workshops.

RESULTS FOR EVERYONE

For LEAP participants, the benefits are great:

• Procurement Officers: Increase supplier diversity and engage with  your community
• Small business owners: Become procurement ready and learn about the procurement process in your city
• Capital providers: Lend established MBEs the capital necessary for procurement opportunities
• Capacity builders: Provide knowledge and know-how for procurement success and grow small businesses