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Bringing Anchors and Local Businesses Together

Collaboration

BEAM bridges the gap between major institutions and talented local businesses, unlocking economic growth and resilience for our region.

 

By analyzing over $27 billion in procurement from 20 key organizations, we empower local suppliers to thrive and support vibrant, sustainable communities.

 

Together, we’re building a future where every dollar invested locally strengthens our economy for generations to come.

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Discover New Collaborative Opportunities

BEAM Collaborative is redefining the role of local businesses in driving economic vitality.

 

Too often underestimated due to their size, these adaptable and innovative companies are essential drivers of our economy, employing 45.9% of the U.S. workforce in 2023.

 

Our approach leverages their strengths to create a resilient, interconnected economic ecosystem where small businesses and large institutions collaborate to power regional growth and shared success.

 

 

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Why Work with BEAM

Anchor Engagement

An "anchor" is any company or institution committed to strengthening its supplier network to drive better pricing, service, and innovation. At BEAM, we support anchors by connecting them with skilled, local small businesses that enhance project outcomes and create lasting community impact.

 

Anchors come to BEAM when:

  • They’re overwhelmed by the complexity of managing local business engagement projects and need a partner to streamline and oversee the process.
  • They’re unsure how to develop local suppliers to reliably meet ongoing demand and grow alongside their needs.
  • They struggle to locate local businesses that align with their specific requirements and quality standards.

 

With BEAM’s expertise, anchors gain a powerful advantage: access to local talent that drives sustainable, impactful growth.

BEAM's Portfolio Companies

A portfolio company is a local, SBA-defined small business aiming to grow, discover new opportunities, and scale effectively.

 

BEAM partners with these businesses to overcome common hurdles:

  • They’re uncertain about the next strategic steps needed to unlock growth.
  • They often feel isolated in managing their business operations, client relationships, and team without adequate support.
  • They’re ready to expand but lack access to the right network and connections to make it possible.

With BEAM’s guidance, portfolio companies gain the clarity, support, and connections they need to confidently pursue growth and drive lasting impact in their communities.

Why BEAM?

Supply Side


BEAM empowers local and underrepresented businesses with tailored, strategic support designed to fuel their growth. Through our "Plan on a Page" approach, we provide a clear, actionable roadmap to help these businesses scale, adapt, and meet the demands of clients. With BEAM’s guidance, these companies gain the strategic insights and resources needed to thrive in competitive markets.

 

Demand Side

On the demand side, BEAM collaborates with anchor institutions to identify pressing needs and procurement opportunities. We then match these needs with nimble, capable local businesses equipped to deliver high-quality results. By bridging anchors with innovative, local suppliers, BEAM fosters partnerships that create dynamic economic impact and lasting value for communities.

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Reviews

"I'm in many meetings, and our discussion with BEAM really encouraged Dollar to move forward with an ideation session. What they do is really solution oriented. I was truly impressed with their approach to diverse business engagement."

Jim McQuade, President of Dollar Bank

"BEAM has been a partner in helping us with our global ESG goals by moving us think outside the traditional procurement box. BEAM helps me to think differently about the way we do business.”

Amy Baudino, Vice President of Portfolio Management at Thermo Fisher Scientific

“BEAM has helped me design my sales strategy and increased my profits by 50% percent over a one-year period”

Taylor Ford, Owner of Taylor Made IT Services

"...What stood out for me is that BEAM Collaborative, unlike a lot of other entities out there, is itself a very mission-driven enterprise with important sources of earned income."

Xavier de Souza Briggs, Senior Fellow at The Brookings Institution

“BEAM was able to guide me through the expansion and attraction process by making introductions to key regional business allies”

Paul Douglas, President JPI Group

“With BEAM in the conversation, we were able to negotiate a longer term contract which assures our growth and ability to hire employees”

Blayre Britton, President CDI Printing

"One thing that I really like about the structure of our engagement with BEAM is we're not trying to solve all the world's problems at once."

Will Pickering, CEO of Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority