Fostering Immigrant Business Ownership (FIBO)

Through the Fostering Immigrant Business Ownership (FIBO) program, BOI works with immigrants in central Indiana to facilitate the start up and operation of new businesses. Immigrants often identify new business opportunities that others might miss due to their knowledge of niche markets that cater to the immigrants' tastes and preferences or their knowledge of import or export opportunities with their native country.

Starting a new business, however, is particularly challenging for many immigrants. They may be unfamiliar with the American business system or the Indianapolis business environment. Many immigrants may be held back by limited English proficiency, and little knowledge of our legal systems, financial institutions or government organizations.

FIBO's goal is twofold: to ensure that immigrants have full access to Business Ownership Initiative of Indiana (BOI) programming and to build their acceptance of BOI. English speaking immigrants are encouraged to enroll in BOI's on-going programming. Non-English speaking immigrants should contact BOI about opportunities to receive assistance in their native language.

For Spanish speaking immigrants, BOI offers its Business Beginnings course in Spanish. The course covers the same topics as Business Beginnings in English. You must attend a free orientation session before registering for the Business Beginnings course. For more information or to register for an orientation session or the Business Beginnings course in Spanish, please call 317-917-3266 ext. 104.