From the Ground Up

In 2014, Allen Woods, alongside co-founders William Thomas and Derrick Braziel, set out to redefine Cincinnati’s entrepreneurial landscape. They recognized a troubling reality: while the city was experiencing economic revitalization, Black and minority entrepreneurs were being left behind. The resources, funding, and mentorship needed to thrive in business were largely inaccessible to them. Determined to change this, they launched MORTAR, an organization dedicated to breaking down these barriers and ensuring that entrepreneurship was an opportunity available to all.

The name MORTAR is a metaphor for community building—if bricks symbolize the businesses that make up a city, mortar represents the people and support structures that hold everything together. This vision set the foundation for a revolutionary approach to entrepreneurship, one that not only creates businesses but preserves diverse communities and addresses the wealth gap.

A Blueprint for Success: The 15-Week Business Accelerator

At the core of MORTAR’s mission is its 15-week business accelerator program, which equips aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed. Whether participants are refining an idea or scaling an existing business, the program provides a structured pathway to business ownership. Participants receive training in market research, financial planning, and strategic growth. They gain access to experienced business leaders who provide guidance and coaching, and they attend workshops on digital marketing, customer engagement, and storytelling. They also receive coaching on delivering compelling business pitches to investors and stakeholders and learn how to navigate contracts, secure insurance, and manage cash flow. Graduates of the program present their ideas at Pitch Night, where they showcase their businesses to potential investors and community leaders. This program has proven to be a game-changer, producing over 261 graduates and helping launch 38 new businesses.

Breaking Financial Barriers: The Iron Chest Fund

For many minority entrepreneurs, lack of funding is a primary obstacle. Traditional banks require collateral, high credit scores, and financial history that many early-stage entrepreneurs simply don’t have. MORTAR tackled this issue by launching the Iron Chest Fund, a microloan program that offers low-interest business loans to help entrepreneurs get started. The fund provides flexible repayment terms to ensure accessibility and sustainability, along with financial coaching to help recipients manage and grow their businesses. By providing over $3 million in capital, the Iron Chest Fund has empowered small businesses to take control of their financial futures.

Brick OTR: A Real-World Testing Ground for Entrepreneurs

Another innovative aspect of MORTAR’s approach is Brick OTR, a pop-up retail space that allows entrepreneurs to test their business ideas in a real-world setting. This initiative provides short-term, affordable retail space where entrepreneurs can trial business concepts and gain hands-on experience in customer service, sales, and retail operations. It also serves as a launchpad for scaling businesses, helping entrepreneurs transition to permanent storefronts or expand online.

A National Movement: MORTAR’s Expansion Beyond Cincinnati

MORTAR’s success in Cincinnati has made it a nationally recognized model for inclusive entrepreneurship. The organization has expanded to multiple cities, including Tulsa, Oklahoma, where it has partnered with Build in Tulsa, inspired by the legacy of Black Wall Street; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where it provides business accelerator resources for underserved entrepreneurs; and Columbus, Ohio, where it supports small business development in underrepresented communities. Through these expansions, MORTAR has proven that economic empowerment through entrepreneurship is scalable and replicable, ensuring that more communities benefit from its model.

Allen Woods: A Champion for Economic Inclusion

Woods’ leadership and dedication to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship have earned him national recognition, including the 2016 Cincinnati Business Courier’s 40 Under 40 Business Leader award, the John F. Barrett Entrepreneur Vision Award, and the Echoing Green Black Male Achievement Fellowship. His impact extends beyond MORTAR—he also serves as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the University of Cincinnati’s Center for Entrepreneurship, where he mentors students, develops programming, and inspires the next generation of business leaders.

Looking Ahead: The Future of MORTAR

As MORTAR continues to grow, its focus remains on scaling to more cities to reach entrepreneurs nationwide, expanding the Iron Chest Fund to provide even more financial support, and building deeper partnerships with universities, investors, and corporations. MORTAR’s mission is clear: to ensure that all entrepreneurs—regardless of background—have the opportunity to succeed and contribute to their communities’ economic future. Through innovative programming, financial accessibility, and unwavering support, MORTAR is not just changing lives—it’s reshaping the business landscape for generations to come. For more information, visit MORTAR’s official website.