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Transition Design Conference July 8–11 2026 in Mexico City
Now accepting applications to the doctoral program in Transition Design at Carnegie Mellon University

The Nasdaq Center

Composite miage showing Fortune Magazine write up of project, along with a large grid of nearly 50 meeting attendees on a Zoom call
Composite image of project feature on Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center website; detail of a problem map with quotes of worries and fears in the project space
Mural detail showing what pieces of the future vision are already here in the present
Composite image of Venture Equity Project page on YouTube, and Venture Equity Project summary page
Detail of map showing relationship between discriminatory practices, lack of data, problematic mindsets, lack of access to capital, and more factors influencing the problem
Detail of map showing stakeholder solutions affinity mapped to stakeholder fears/concerns; screenshot of thumbnails for videos about the proejct
Snapshots of project assets including video, social media posts by Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, and map showing clusters of interconnected solutions that leverage stakeholder knowledge and perspectives
Large detailed concept map outlining key points of the project

The Nasdaq Center worked with TDI on finding ways to address the lack of funding for minority entrepreneurs.

In 2022, the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, with support from JPMorganChase, launched the two-year Venture Equity Project to examine the systemic barriers that limit funding for minority entrepreneurs in the US and UK. The project brought together ten partners, including the Transition Design Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, Stanford University, and Penn State University, to explore how early-stage investments, policies, and structural factors shape the flow of capital and to identify opportunities for systemic change.

Stakeholder Workshops and Research Approach

The Transition Design Institute was asked to lead the first phase of research, which was to create a systemic overview of the wicked problem of A Lack of Funding for Minority Entrepreneurs. TDI convened a series of stakeholder workshops with 80 participants from four stakeholder groups including: researchers, venture capitalists, community activists, and Black entrepreneurs. Using Zoom and Miro, stakeholder teams applied the five steps of the Transition Design approach to map the problem and its evolution, list their group’s challenges, specify a long-term future vision, and propose potential strategies for addressing funding inequities.

Research Outcomes and Impact

The research resulted in five systems maps that illustrate the complexity of the funding landscape and highlight key intervention points. Findings from the workshops were synthesized into eight videos documenting stakeholder perspectives and proposed solutions. By drawing on the knowledge already present within the system, this research produced a rich database of ideas that can inform ongoing efforts to create more equitable investment ecosystems.