About
Compete4LA was launched in 2022 as a first-of-its-kind database of small businesses throughout L.A. County who can best compete for contracts in support of major sports and entertainment events.
The goal was to level the playing field for small businesses.
In response to the 2025 LA wildfires, the database expanded to include small businesses in disaster-impacted areas as well as vendors prepared to support regional recovery and rebuilding efforts.
The goal was to drive regional economic resilience.
About
The database identifies businesses specializing in the following categories:
- Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
- Transportation & Warehousing
- Retail Trade
- Wholesale Trade
- Manufacturing
- Administrative Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
- Accommodation & Food Service
- Construction
- Real Estate Rental and Leasing
- Information Services
History
Compete4LA was modeled after the success of a similar program built in the United Kingdom by BiP Solutions for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. Roughly 12,000 contracts were awarded through the London CompeteFor program totaling £2.6 billion. Notably, 40% of these contracts went to London-based businesses, and three-quarters were awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises.
Recognizing its success, the LABC Institute contracted BiP Solutions in 2017 to conduct a feasibility study, which identified best practices for connecting local underserved businesses with public and private sector supply chain opportunities arising from major events coming to Los Angeles. That study paved the way for Compete4LA, a digital clearinghouse focused on creating opportunities for local businesses that have historically lacked access to contracts supporting global events in L.A.
LABC Institute Leadership Council Co-Chairs
Bob Graziano
LABC Institute
The Los Angeles City Tourism Board of Commissioners
LABC Institute Leadership Council
LA28
Leticia Avalos
Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Co.
Alycia Belle
Hollywood Handy Construction
Ken Billups
AECOM
Sonya Blake
The Valley Economic Alliance
Sarah Bowles
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Kyle Brown
CISCO
Samona Caldwell
LASEC
Maria Camacho
Los Angeles Rams
Tricia Carey
Port of Los Angeles
Daniel Cho
City of LA
David Cobb
HDR, Inc.
Stephanie Cohen
Cedars-Sinai Health System
Sharon Coleman
National Association of Minority Contractors
Kerry Doi
PACE
Rachel Freeman
Office of Mayor Bass
Angela Gibson-Shaw
GLAAACC/LA County Small Buisness Commission
Stephanie Graves
Lee Andrews Group
Bob Graziano
Oak Knoll Advisors
Frederick Jackson
Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department
East West Bank
Paul Krekorian
Office of Special Events – Mayor Bass
Adam Lane
Waymo
Mia Lehrer
Studio-MLA
Nicole Lewis
City of LA Councilmember, John Lee
Kelly LoBianco
LA County Department of Economic Opportunity
Greg Mahdesian
Servicon System Inc.
Antonio Manning
Affordable Living for the Aging
Beau McDonald
USC
Lynda McGlinchey
City of Los Angeles
Amber Meshack
Los Angeles World Airports
Mark Morales
AmPac Business Capital
Andrew Parker
Trammell Crow Company
Brittney Parkinson
Turner Construction Co.
Star Parsamyan
Office of Councilmember Traci Park
Manuel Pastor
USC Equity Research Institute
Saundra Price
W.E. O’Neil Construction
John Reamer
City of Los AngelesMax Reyes
Office of Mayor of Los Angeles
Lily Rocha
Latino Restaurant Association
Schenae Rourk
Redwood Resources
AEG Anshutz Entertainment Group
Martha Saucedo
AEG Anshutz Entertainment Group
Robert Sausedo
Community Build Inc.
Paul Silvern
HR&A Advisors
Greg Skalaski
Shawmut
Daniel Slater
Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Co.
Tashai Smith
DEOD, Metro
Ali Tarzi
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Joss Tillard-Gates
Clark Construction Group
Kristina Tokes
LAUSD
Caroline Torosis
The Office of Supervisor Holly Mitchell
Michelle Turner
USC
Jon Vein
The Los Angeles City Tourism Board of Commissioners
Brooke Walbuck
Webcor
Kecia Washington
LADWP
Jabbar Wesley
LISC
Libby Williams
City of Los Angeles
Nicole Williams
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
John Wilson
USC
Michelle Wright Conn
Cisco