Latin American Economic Development Association

What Latin American Economic Development Association does

LAEDA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 and headquartered in Camden, New Jersey, that delivers entrepreneurial training, micro-lending, and procurement-matching services to underserved Hispanic and minority entrepreneurs across Southern New Jersey. Core programs include the 9-week Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP), the 9-week Women's Business Academy (WBA), a Quick Start Series, Individual Development Accounts (IDA), one-on-one business counseling, and micro-lending. The organization operates the Buy Camden 1st Initiative paired with Camden Verified certification, which functions as a two-sided procurement marketplace connecting minority-owned businesses to anchor institutions in Camden. By 2025 LAEDA had completed more than 100 EDTP cohorts (with Session 105 scheduled for April 2026), evidencing sustained cadence over nearly four decades.

The organization's revenue model is grant- and donation-driven rather than commercial, drawing on a diversified mix of federal Small Business Administration (SBA) funding, foundation grants (e.g., recurring Ocean First Foundation awards in 2021 and 2024), corporate sponsorships, and individual donations. Strategic anchor-institution partnerships span Campbell's, Subaru of America, Cooper Hospital, American Water, Holtec, Virtua, Rowan University, Rutgers, the 76ers, and Michaels Development, with a Subaru procurement fair scheduled for March 2026 and Citizens Bank's Small Business Pitch Competition cited as an active program partner. Programs are delivered both in-person and virtually — virtual EDTP launched in 2020 and virtual WBA in January 2021 — extending reach into Cumberland County and Atlantic City beyond the original Camden footprint. Leadership is anchored by President & CEO Raymond Lamboy, with Jamila Powell (Program Director, WBC) and Sophie Werner (Program Manager) overseeing program delivery. LAEDA operates a traditional service-delivery model with no proprietary technology platform and no disclosed AI/ML capabilities; competitive position rests on community trust, alumni network depth, and institutional anchor relationships accumulated over 37+ years.

Name

Latin American Economic Development Association

Legal name

Latin American Economic Development Association, Inc.

Website

https://laeda.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

LAEDA is a Camden, NJ-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 that provides entrepreneurial training, micro-lending, and anchor-institution procurement matchmaking to underserved Hispanic and minority entrepreneurs across Southern New Jersey, including Cumberland County and Atlantic City.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Small Business Development Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAMAHAA

Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Entrepreneurship & Business Enrichment

SECONDARYEDAAAFAK

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Community & Public Education Programs (Libraries, Community Centers)

SECONDARYEDAMAHAG

Marketing, Branding & Sales Skills

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Entrepreneurship & Business Enrichment

SECONDARYEDAMAHAE

Financial Literacy, Budgeting & Personal Finance

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Entrepreneurship & Business Enrichment

SECONDARYBPAIACAN

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Local/Municipal Government Administration

SECONDARYEDAAAOAM

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Workforce Development Initiatives

Keywords

• Business training programs
• Entrepreneurship education
• Micro-lending services
• Small business development
• Procurement matchmaking

Headquarters

HQ city

Camden

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Services: LAEDA provides business training, coaching, and micro-lending services primarily funded through grants and donations. Services appear to be offered at no cost to entrepreneurs, funded by SBA, foundation grants, and corporate partnerships.
2. Donations: The organization accepts donations through its website, with donations processed via PayPal subject to PayPal's privacy policy.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

LAEDA is a nonprofit business development organization that delivers free entrepreneurship training programs (9-week EDTP and Women's Business Academy), one-on-one business counseling, micro-lending support, and an Individual Development Accounts savings match program to aspiring and existing small business owners in the Camden/South Jersey region. The organization also operates the Buy Camden 1st initiative, which vets local businesses through Camden Verified certification and connects them to procurement opportunities at anchor institutions such as Campbell's, Subaru, Rutgers University Camden, and Cooper Hospital.

Product overview

LAEDA (Latin American Economic Development Association) is a non-profit business development organization offering a comprehensive suite of entrepreneurship programs and services. The core offerings include the 9-week Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP) and Women's Business Academy (WBA), which provide intensive business education. Supporting programs include Turning Your Hobby Into a Business, Quick Start Series, One-on-One Business Counseling, and the Business Capital Solutions micro-lending program. LAEDA also operates the Buy Camden 1st Initiative with its Camden Verified sub-program, which connects vetted local businesses with procurement opportunities from anchor institutions. The organization provides online training, webinars, seminars, and specialized programs like Getting Started in Procurement and Food Trucking 101. Together, these programs form a holistic ecosystem supporting entrepreneurs from ideation through business growth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Buy Camden 1st: A joint initiative with the City of Camden to leverage economic potential of anchor corporations, institutions, and governmental procurement opportunities for local businesses.
• Camden Verified
• Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP)
• Women's Business Academy (WBA)

Products and services

• Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP) A 9-week intensive training program designed for experienced and well-capitalized entrepreneurs who want to launch a new venture or improve profitability by learning business best practices.
• Women's Business Academy (WBA)

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• City of CamdencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint effort on Buy Camden 1st Initiative to leverage economic potential of anchor corporations, institutions, and governmental procurement opportunities. The initiative includes the BuyCamden1st.com searchable business directory.
• NAACP NJ State ConferencecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for Doorway 2 Destination Wealth Expo, empowering Camden community through economic opportunity and education.
• United WaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Individual Development Account (IDA) program offering savings match programs for small business owners.
• Campbell's CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of Buy Camden 1st Business Bazaar events at headquarters, showcasing local entrepreneurs and generating over $7,000 in sales for Camden Verified businesses.
• Subaru of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnchor institution partner in Buy Camden 1st Initiative. Hosted procurement fair at Subaru HQ in March 2026.
• NJIT PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistance Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Getting Started in Procurement program - five-week training for established businesses on government, institutional, and corporate procurement.
• Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration offering tuition-free leadership training program helping small businesses build capacity and resiliency for sustainable growth.
• Haddon Avenue Business Association (HABA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner in Getting Started in Procurement program to encourage corporate investment in small businesses.
• Parkside Business and Community in Partnership (PBCIP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner in procurement training programs and community development events.
• Camden County Development AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Getting Started in Procurement program to foster community economic development.
• Rutgers University CamdencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnchor institution providing procurement opportunities for Camden Verified businesses; participated in procurement training program as guest presenter.
• American WatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnchor institution partner in Buy Camden 1st Initiative; provided procurement process insights for training program.
• Cooper HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnchor institution partner in Buy Camden 1st Initiative offering procurement opportunities for Camden Verified businesses.
• Rowan UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnchor institution partner in Buy Camden 1st Initiative offering procurement opportunities for local businesses.
• Virtua HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnchor institution partner in Buy Camden 1st Initiative offering procurement opportunities for local businesses.
• HolteccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnchor institution partner in Buy Camden 1st Initiative offering procurement opportunities for Camden Verified businesses.
• 76erscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnchor institution partner in Buy Camden 1st Initiative offering procurement opportunities for local businesses.
• Michaels DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnchor institution partner in Buy Camden 1st Initiative offering procurement opportunities for local businesses.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SCORE: National nonprofit providing free business mentoring, training, and resources to entrepreneurs. SCORE is the most direct functional peer to LAEDA's EDTP and counseling programs, though it operates nationally with a volunteer model rather than a single-city focus.
• Kiva: Nonprofit crowdfunding platform providing 0% interest micro-loans to underserved entrepreneurs globally. Kiva overlaps with LAEDA's Business Capital Solutions micro-lending program, particularly for entrepreneurs who lack traditional financing access.
• Accion Opportunity Fund: Community development financial institution offering micro-lending and small business advisory services to underserved entrepreneurs. Accion Opportunity Fund mirrors LAEDA's micro-lending and capital access mission at a national scale.
• EforAll: Nonprofit running intensive entrepreneurship accelerator programs in underserved communities. EforAll's cohort-based model and focus on low-income and minority founders parallels LAEDA's EDTP and WBA structure.
• Grameen America: Nonprofit microfinance organization providing small loans and support to women entrepreneurs in underserved U.S. communities. Grameen America's micro-lending and financial inclusion mission closely mirrors LAEDA's Business Capital Solutions program.
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDC): Federally funded network of local SBDCs offering free business training and counseling to entrepreneurs. SBDCs overlap directly with LAEDA's core programs and compete for the same SBA-aligned funding and entrepreneur audience.
• Women's Business Centers (WBC) Network: SBA-funded network of centers providing training, counseling, and resources to women entrepreneurs. LAEDA's Women's Business Center is itself part of this network; other centers are direct peers serving the same persona.

Broad incumbents

• Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO): National membership and advocacy organization for the microbusiness and entrepreneurship support ecosystem. AEO represents LAEDA's broader peer network and influences the policy and funding environment LAEDA depends on.

Peers

• Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC): Initiative of the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City providing tuition-free leadership training for small businesses in under-resourced areas. ICCC is already a collaboration partner of LAEDA and a peer in delivering capacity-building programs to urban entrepreneurs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LaedaSocial
• Xx.com/laeda1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/latin-american-economic-development-association-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Latin American Economic Development Association