ESO Ventures, an entrepreneurial support and financing organisation based in Oakland, California, has reported providing more than US$3.9 million in loans to women-owned businesses, with Black women accounting for the majority of its lending to women entrepreneurs.
The organisation announced the figures on 26 October 2026 to mark National Women’s Small Business Month in the United States. According to ESO Ventures, women received 99 of the 188 loans in its portfolio, representing more than half of its total lending. Black women received 85 of the 99 loans made to women, accounting for more than US$3.3 million in financing.
Co-founded and led by chief executive officer Martha Hernández, ESO Ventures provides business education, individual guidance, community support and access to financing. Its programmes aim to help entrepreneurs strengthen their business foundations, prepare for funding and develop sustainable operations.
Hernández said access to capital, business knowledge and professional relationships remained important for women seeking to establish and grow sustainable companies. The organisation works with founders to understand financing requirements and identify funding suited to their businesses’ needs and stages of development.
Two businesses supported by ESO Ventures illustrate how the financing is being used. Tametra Johnson, founder and CEO of Jacob’s Ladder Therapies, received US$100,000 to support the expansion of her mental health practice. The funding enabled her to hire an additional licensed clinician while creating capacity to pursue school partnerships and reach more clients.
Queen Adu-Poku, founder and CEO of Royal Emotional Care, also received US$100,000. Her mental health practice has grown to a team of eight therapists, including four fully licensed clinicians and four associate therapists.
Adu-Poku has also established Utile Case Management and Clinical Services, a nonprofit initiative being developed to broaden access to clinical services, education and workforce development. In addition, she created People of the We, a customer relationship management platform designed for therapists, group practices and entrepreneurs.
Beyond its lending activities, ESO Ventures reported that women represented 66 per cent of the 132 entrepreneurs who participated in its programmes in 2025. The organisation said it has supported 678 entrepreneurs overall through initiatives intended to strengthen businesses and expand access to entrepreneurial resources.
ESO Ventures is also inviting municipalities, economic development organisations and community partners to collaborate on initiatives that improve access to business support and financing.
The latest figures highlight the organisation’s focus on combining capital with business development support, particularly for women entrepreneurs seeking to establish, expand and sustain their businesses.