For most entrepreneurs, the first dollar put towards a business comes from personal savings or contributions from friends and family. Wealth inequality in America has a disproportionate impact on entrepreneurs of colors because of this reality. Render Capital is working with communities partners to develop a strategy to begin to address this gap in early stage funding and we are excited to share more later in 2020!

Kiva believes in character over credit and the power of community-based lending. Because of these beliefs, Kiva provides funding opportunities for entrepreneurs where conventional lenders won’t. In fact, since 2015, Kiva has supported 135+businesses with over $800K+ in crowdfunded capital in the Louisville region.

The Growth Loan provides businesses with demonstrated momentum the capital they need to grow. The Growth Loan is a character-based loan of up to $35,000 for small business owners who lack access to capital through traditional means. There are no minimum financial collateral or credit requirements and an entrepreneur’s reputation and experience act as their collateral, and companies in business for as little as one year may apply. Loan use is flexible including working capital, website improvements, employee hires and more.