Press Releases

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) was joined by Lowell leaders and community partners to mark National Small Business Week by announcing a $1 million federal investment in Entrepreneurship for All’s (EforAll) programs that support small business owners and entrepreneurs across the Commonwealth.

“EforAll does tremendous work to help entrepreneurs and small business owners – especially those from underserved backgrounds and communities – develop the skills and experience necessary to succeed. This federal investment will directly benefit folks who are often left out of traditional small business opportunities, which is essential in ensuring no family or small business is left behind as we recover from the pandemic,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “I’m proud of our work to secure this funding, which will bolster EforAll’s impact exponentially here in Lowell and across the Commonwealth. I’m also excited to see just how far this investment will go, how many businesses it will help start, and how many quality jobs it will create.”

“For the past ten years, EforAll has been on a mission to help under-represented individuals in Massachusetts get the training and support they need to start and grow their own businesses, including the 3rd district where we launched our very first program. Today, our free, one-year English and Spanish language Business Accelerator programs have helped over 1,000 businesses get started; of which 76% are women-owned and 70% BIPOC-owned." said David Parker, CEO of EforAll. “Congresswoman Trahan has worked tirelessly to bring more entrepreneurial opportunities to the people who need them the most, and we are proud of her ongoing support of programs like EforAll. The federal funding she has just helped EforAll secure will enable us to support even more under-represented aspiring Massachusetts business owners who need our help more than ever due to the pandemic.”

Trahan secured the $1 million investment in the recently passed government funding package to help expand access to EforAll’s “inclusive entrepreneurship” approach to supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, including development and mentorship programs for traditionally underserved small business owners. The funding will be used by EforAll to support its no cost Business Accelerator Programs, community pitch contests, ongoing webinars, and monthly peer support groups. 

Trahan and Parker were joined for the announcement by State Representative Vanna Howard, EforAll Executive Director for the Merrimack Valley Sophan Smith, Lowell Planning and Development Director Christine McCall, Lowell Development Financial Corporation Executive Director Allison Lamey, and EforAll leadership members and program alumni. Among those alumni were Rajia Abdelaziz and Ray Hamilton, co-founders of invisaWear, a Lowell based technology company that sells women’s safety and security accessories. The event was held at invisaWear’s facility on Stedman Street in Lowell.

“So thrilled for this terrific announcement on this new funding for the many creative entrepreneurs in the Merrimack Valley who have plans, ideas, and dreams to create the businesses and employers in our future. Grateful to Congresswoman Trahan for her fierce advocacy to secure this critical funding supporting our small businesses,” said State Representative Vanna Howard. “EforAll has helped many businesses around the country to build enterprises that lift their communities up, and, in doing so, raise all of our sights.  Just like invisaWear, where we are today, has done. What a great success and example to all of those with the drive and vision to create better products, services, and communities around them. We look forward today to what these funds will do for our local and future movers and shakers to build our economy from the ground up.”

“The incredible work Congresswoman Trahan has done to secure this funding for EfotAll is truly remarkable and will change the lives of so many entrepreneurs, especially those that are from under-represented communities and minorities. Almost 30 years ago, my dad immigrated to the United States to create a better future for his family. At the time, he couldn’t even afford a car and used to walk to work in the freezing Vermont winters. Today, because of organizations like EforAll, his daughter runs a multi-million dollar company,” said Rajia Abdelaziz

CEO & Co-Founder of invisaWear. “I can’t thank EforAll enough for helping support my vision to create a safer world where women don’t have to constantly worry about their safety. Because of EforAll, invisaWear now employs 17 people in the beautiful city of Lowell and has gone on to partner with leaders in the security space, ADT. We can’t thank the Congresswoman enough for her incredible efforts and we can’t thank EforAll enough for all of their continuous support.”

In 2021, EforAll alumni businesses provided 1,741 jobs and generated more than $54 million in revenue, all despite the economic challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Entrepreneurs and small business owners hoping to benefit from EforAll’s many programs will benefit from options in both English and Spanish, an especially important offering in the organization’s mission to support traditionally underserved communities. 

###