Providing Early-Stage Capital to Louisville's Black and Brown Entrepreneurs
First things first. It takes money to start a business.
When an individual has an idea for a new business, they turn to their savings, close family, or friends to help turn the idea into reality. But Black American households have a median net worth of just $12,920, less than one-tenth of the median net worth of white American households. Both Black and Brown entrepreneurs are substantially less likely to have the financial capital available in their social networks to fund the creation of new businesses, and the opportunity for wealth creation is stifled as a result.
Our mission is to support Black and Brown entrepreneurs in Louisville, KY to build generational wealth through successful business ownership.
Through the partnership, Render Capital provides critical “first dollar” grants to early-stage entrepreneurs who lack capital access due to historic and systemic inequality. The First Dollar program provides $5,000 grants to businesses at the earliest stage of business development—when capital investment is most critical.
$400,000
In Total Grants
80
Entrepreneurs
5
Community Partners
OUR PARTNERS
Our Partners
Through our partnership with four local, Black-led organizations, Render Capital is able to decentralize funding decisions and empower those who work closely with our target entrepreneurs to facilitate the disbursement of grant funds.
Focused on building economic wealth for the Black community through creative and intentional grant-making.
Focused on generating investments in the people and places that make the Russell neighborhood special.
Founder Forward works with underrepresented founders to build a community and access in the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Dedicated to assisting African Americans and marginalized populations in attaining social and economic equality.
This program is made possible today through grant capital from our partners at Access Ventures, but we need your help to ensure the future of the program. Organizations interested in playing a role in growing the First Dollar program are encouraged to contact us.
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