Highlighted principle Driving community development through entrepreneurship and ecosystem building. Initiative context and objective In 2016, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) launched BCG Spark to address structural inequities, scale small and minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) and accelerate economic development through entrepreneurship. BCG Spark provides pro-bono consulting on business challenges and connects small to mid-sized businesses with market leaders looking to diversify their supply chains. Additionally, it partners with corporate, government, nonprofit and educational institutions to enable collaboration with underrepresented entrepreneurs on their key business issues. To date, BCG Spark has worked with over 175 entrepreneurs across industries including retail, sustainable housing, entertainment, healthcare, agriculture and financial technology. Collectively, these businesses have raised more than $600 million in funding and generated over $100 million in additional revenue. Notably, over 90% of participating businesses remain active and continue to grow. Additionally, many alumni entrepreneurs return to network, mentor, and share their experiences, enriching the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.Highlight in practice BCG empowers small, minority, and women-owned businesses through its Spark programme, while assisting established companies to increase resilience and broaden their supplier bases. The initiative provides tailored engagement models, mentorship and life cycle support that enable entrepreneurs to scale their businesses efficiently. Simultaneously, BCG helps market leaders allocate resources effectively to maximize impact while increasing their spend with a diverse range of suppliers. Beyond fostering investment in entrepreneurship, BCG nurtures long-term partnerships between these businesses and established suppliers, creating economic opportunities while promoting inclusion and equity. This approach not only uplifts underrepresented communities but also drives sustainable growth and contributes to a more inclusive and resilient economy. BCG’s commitment to this mission is underscored by its considerable impact, having facilitated the creation of more than one thousand new jobs and contributing to more robust economic systems. Looking ahead, BCG plans to expand the Spark programme both domestically and internationally, utilizing a multi- faceted strategy centred on partnerships, education and technology. This expansion aims to further enhance its inclusive ecosystem and deepen impact in underrepresented communities and the broader economy. Boston Consulting Group External effort Pro-bono entrepreneurship and supplier diversity consulting Minority- and women-owned businesses (MWBEs) 32 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lighthouses 2025

Diversity Equity and Inclusion Lighthouses 2025