Funding

Jun. 8, 2016 9:43 am

Opportunity Finance Network just launched a new loan resource platform for small biz

Venturize is a mobile-friendly web app that makes lending information more accessible to small business owners, specifically women and people of color.

Venturize is geared toward small businesses owned by women and people of color.

(Screenshot)

The U.S. economy is in dire need of more women- and minority-owned small businesses. Local nonprofit Opportunity Finance Network wants to help make funding options more accessible to them with a new mobile platform it’s calling Venturize.

An abundance of “quick and easy” online lenders have popped up since the Recession, said Lauren Stebbins, senior associate of small business initiatives at OFN. Venturize aims to help small business owners compare financing options and figure out which loans are best for their business based on individual needs.

The product prides itself on being unbiased in connecting small business owners to lenders.

“We’re not recommending any specific lenders, we’re not telling them which loans they should go after, we’re not trying to gear them in any way or sell them anything,” Stebbins said. “We’re simply trying to provide them with straightforward, clear, easy to access information to really help them decide what’s the best move in terms of borrowing money.”

Plus, there’s a glossary to help business owners navigate terms and definitions and a checklist to make sure business owners have everything they need in place before applying for a loan. Venturize, Stebbins said, exists to make resources easily accessible and push small business owners to make more “confident and informed” borrowing decisions.

Venturize is free to use (with premium features) and funded by Sam’s Club‘s corporate social responsibility initiative. Stebbins said OFN hopes to reach at least 250,000 small business owners.

And while it’s an inclusive platform available to all small business owners across the country regardless of gender or race, Venturize’s target demographic is small businesses owned by women and people of color to break down the barriers that have historically prohibited those business owners from obtaining capital.

From our Partners

“Those are two segments of small business owners that have had the most trouble accessing capital,” said Stebbins. “We’re particularly trying to make this information more accessible for them and really help them figure out what the options are, knowing that there are other options than just the bank.”

-30-

From our Partners

Creating an Even Playing Field for Professional Women in Philadelphia

We need blended capital to address racial inequities in Philadelphia’s capital access landscape

Commitments to Social Justice and Inclusion

SPONSORED

Philly

Meet Kim Andrews, new executive director for The Fund for Women and Girls

hybrid / Philadelphia

Generocity

Community Narrative Journalist and Engagement Specialist

Apply Now
2771 Ruth Street, Suite 1 Philadelphia, PA 19134

New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC)

Housing Advisor

Apply Now
2771 Ruth Street, Suite 1 Philadelphia, PA 19134

New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC)

Director of Housing Services

Apply Now

Philly’s Violence Prevention Grant Program Brought Mixed Results. Now What?

Be the leader to bring a 26-year mission into the future in Chester County

By sunsetting, the Douty Foundation makes a strong case for limited-life philanthropy

SPONSORED

Philly

Be the leader to bring a 26-year mission into the future in Chester County

Hamilton, NJ

Grounds For Sculpture

Graphic Designer

Apply Now
Philadelphia,PA

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

Director, LandCare

Apply Now
Philadelphia

Community Legal Services

Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer

Apply Now
   
       
       

Subscribe to Generocity

       
* indicates required