Fostering
Resilient
Entrepreneurship
Across New Jersey.
Through original research, public data analysis, and evidence-based community initiatives, UNPKD studies the barriers facing low-income and immigrant entrepreneurs across New Jersey, and develops policy and economic solutions to expand economic opportunity across the state.
Current research agenda
Our research examines the economic conditions that influence entrepreneurship among historically underserved populations.
Capital Access
Examining how financing barriers influence business formation and long-term growth among immigrant entrepreneurs.
Collecting DataBusiness Survival
Understanding why some businesses persist while others close within their first three years.
AnalysisEntrepreneurial Opportunity
Developing regional indicators measuring local entrepreneurship ecosystems throughout Northern New Jersey.
Launching Fall 2026Featured publication
Barriers to Capital
A regional study examining the financial, institutional, and informational barriers limiting entrepreneurship among underserved communities in Northern New Jersey.
Measuring outcomes
Confidence
Registered
Completed
Rate
Participation
Impact metrics are measured through post-program surveys and longitudinal participant follow-up.
A Five-Module
Business Curriculum
Developed through direct engagement with local business owners in round-table conversations that shaped a curriculum combining business theory with the practical skills participants actually need. Every module is designed to produce tangible, real-world results.
| # | Module | Focus Area | Overview |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Navigating Local Licensing & Permits | Legal Foundation | A clear, step-by-step guide on identifying and securing necessary local, county, and state operational permits and licenses, ensuring formal legal compliance from day one. |
| 02 | Pricing & Cash Flow Management | Financial Literacy | Foundational techniques for setting profitable pricing structures, creating operating budgets, and mastering cash flow tracking to ensure short-term liquidity and organizational stability. |
| 03 | Digital Marketing & Local Presence | Customer Acquisition | How to establish a low-cost but professional digital footprint using social media, Google Business Profile, and effective word-of-mouth strategies to attract local customers. |
| 04 | Accessing Small Business Capital | Funding Strategies | Demystifying non-traditional funding sources, including local micro-grants, community development loans, and non-profit lending programs tailored for underserved entrepreneurs. |
| 05 | Networking & Partnership Building | Sustained Growth | Actionable strategies for building trust-based professional relationships within local chambers of commerce, community organizations, and supplier networks to secure mentorship and collaborative opportunities. |
Join UNPKD or
Partner With Us
Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, an established business owner interested in mentorship, or an organization looking to support economic development in Northern New Jersey, we welcome you to UNPKD, a New Jersey 501(c)(3) subsidiary of the Financial Education & Research Foundation, Inc. (#0100644700), a New Jersey Nonprofit Foundation.