Los Angeles welcomes National Small Business Week with the introduction of the Get in the Game LA Supplier Resource Hub, a comprehensive digital platform designed to empower small businesses ahead of major global sporting events. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, this initiative aims to help local enterprises navigate the anticipated influx of over $150 billion into the region’s sports, entertainment, and infrastructure sectors over the next decade.
The initiative, launched by Mayor Karen Bass, underscores the commitment to showcase the vibrancy of Los Angeles’ many neighbourhoods beyond its iconic stadiums. “We want visitors to see beyond our stadiums and experience the vibrancy of Los Angeles’ many small businesses in neighbourhoods across the city,” she noted. The Supplier Resource Hub is integral to this vision, facilitating connections that allow local businesses to compete for lucrative procurement opportunities that these international events will bring.
Developed under the broader Get in the Game initiative and powered by Next Street’s proprietary technology, the Supplier Resource Hub serves as a gateway for regional businesses to tap into large-scale procurement contracts. The initiative is backed by a coalition of prominent local organisations, including the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, LISC Los Angeles, and the Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation. According to Maria S. Salinas, President and CEO of the Chamber, ensuring that small businesses are “contract-ready” is vital, as one of the principal barriers they face is access to capital and resources.
Next Street has tailored the Supplier Resource Hub to be user-friendly, offering services such as one-on-one advising, cohort training, and a variety of online courses designed to help businesses grow and thrive. Donald Jones, a partner at Next Street, explained, “Through the Hub, businesses will get connected to vital support, reducing the number of doors a business has to knock on to get the assistance they need.” This streamlined support structure aims to transform the procurement process, making it more accessible for small and diverse enterprises.
The Get in the Game initiative features several strategic components, including Procurement Innovation Forums, where public and private institutions share best practices for supplier diversity and sourcing. Planned matchmaking fairs will facilitate direct interactions between small businesses and buyers connected to these major events, further enhancing opportunities for local suppliers. The next of these fairs is set for June 5, hosted by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.
Beyond immediate support, the initiative also focuses on financing. Next Street is embarking on the development of an online capital marketplace aimed at matching small businesses with grants and loans, thus further enhancing their capacity to compete for larger contracts. This multifaceted approach aims to serve over 1,000 small business suppliers, deploying upwards of $10 million in financing and facilitating access to $100 million in contracts by 2030.
Lindsey P. Horvath, a Los Angeles County Supervisor, highlighted the importance of this initiative in uplifting local entrepreneurs. “As we prepare to welcome the world to our region, we have a responsibility to ensure that the businesses shaping our neighborhoods also help shape the global stage,” she stated. This emphasis on supporting local businesses not only aims to stimulate economic growth but also fosters a sense of community pride as the city anticipates the global attention that these events will attract.
Given that small businesses are crucial to Los Angeles County’s identity and future, the Get in the Game LA Supplier Resource Hub represents a significant step forward in providing tailored resources that can help navigate the challenges of accessing large-scale opportunities. As Nicole Williams, Executive Director of LISC LA, remarked, innovative initiatives like this are essential to making the procurement process more transparent and accessible to local enterprises.
With the portal now live, small businesses are encouraged to register and explore the personalised resources available. The initiative’s collaborative nature also invites local business support organisations to join the cause, expanding the range of services on offer. The Get in the Game LA Supplier Resource Hub is set to reshape the landscape for small businesses in Los Angeles, ensuring they are well-prepared for the unique opportunities on the horizon.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
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