Founded in 2008 by Caribbean immigrants Gregory Minott and Troy Depeiza, DREAM Collaborative (“DREAM”) is an architecture firm located in Boston focused on creating beautiful, authentic places and enabling better outcomes through neighborhood centric design. Since then, the DREAM team has grown to 20+ professionals and is led by colleagues and friends with common roots in the Caribbean.
DREAM first approached Elevate Small Business (ESB) in 2021 seeking TA for accessing capital and building financial projections. As a minority owned business, they attracted the attention of additional partners though had not been able to secure funding. They recognized that they were at an inflection point in their growth and wanted to execute on a strategic plan to address growth and profitability and to transform itself into a disciplined growth company.
ESB reviewed their financial statements, current projections, and strategic plan while rebuilding financial projections and conducting market analysis. This process allowed the TA team to agree on uses of funds and achievable performance benchmarks with the management team that would support a funding request.
DREAM is leading the design of the 25,000 sf cultural hall, which will provide a new home for local arts and cultural offerings. The Nubian Ascends project will have flexible and accessible performance and arts space, and the cultural hall will be a place for celebration that supports local artists and catalyzes Roxbury’s creative economy.