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100+ Ways to Get Startup Capital Full

100+ ways to get startup capital. A West Virginia entrepreneur's toolkit

OVERVIEW

West Virginia’s startup culture is on the cusp of something big. With recent fast-paced, coordinated and opportunistic action, West Virginia is flipping the script on how it will develop its economic opportunity.

In order to find sustainable pathways for business growth, entrepreneurs must consider what type of capital best suits each stage of business development. This guide offers 100 ways a West Virginia entrepreneur can find the necessary capital to help achieve success.

By leveraging the startup and investment expertise of WV Forward partners, this guide offers a starting point and an at-a-glance overview of capital resources to help West Virginia innovators navigate funding options for their businesses.

By spotting gaps in capital sources and lighting up national trends like social impact investing and opportunity zone funds, WV Forward aims to add value to the state’s startup community.

METHODOLOGY

This guide is not comprehensive and only draws from publicly available information. The capital resources do not include common traditional lenders like banks nor venture capital firms that would generally encourage relocation to their area. Finally, this list focuses only on direct funding sources that would support for-profit entities in West Virginia.

A 2019 version of this toolkit will include entrepreneurial assistance programs located across the state. Additions or edits can be submitted by emailing  wvforward@mail.wvu.edu

CONSIDERING YOUR CAPITAL OPTIONS

For entrepreneurs making initial financing plans for operations, it’s common to consider: “What capital sources are available to support my business venture or product?”

  • Grants are an advantageous early form of money, which requires simply time in preparing a good application.
  • Equity investors will take an ownership stake in a company in exchange for helping it grow more rapidly.
  • Debt options help further finance growth, at a cost, without giving up further ownership.

CAPITAL FOR PRE-REVENUE COMPANIES

These types of companies are early in formation and may not have any sales so far. Not having revenue to report does not indicate current or potential company value, however only certain capital providers are willing to fund a pre-revenue company. Grants and equity investors are the likely capital sources available for this stage of company.

CAPITAL FOR REVENUE-GENERATING COMPANIES

Once a company can show a real revenue stream, additional capital sources open up. Debt becomes a financing option—payments are expected to begin immediately, which is why revenue is generally required. Additional classes of equity investors and grant opportunities open up as traction is shown over time.

Grant Opportunities for West Virginia small businesses

Targeting small businesses

  1. West Virginia University Demo Day

    Demo Day offers the opportunity for all WVU students, faculty, staff and members of the community to showcase their innovative ideas, products or ventures and compete in a cash award pitch competition.
    Benefits: Receive up to a $1,000 in grant funding.
    Grant award target characteristics: The business venture or pro duct must show the power of solving problems and embracing ideas to create a new company or investment opportunity that shows signs of business preparedness and market opportunity.
    For more information: Go to Ideahub: Demo Day.

  2. Robert C. Byrd Institute Agriculture Technology and Innovation Student Competition

    West Virginia 7th-12th graders can pitch in a competition that encourages innovation and problem-solving in agriculture and food production fields.
    Benefits: Receive up to $500 in grant funding.
    Grant award target characteristics: Winning ideas relate to agribusiness, plant and animal systems, resources management, power, structural and technical systems, and food products and processing systems.
    For more information: Point of contact: Tina Metzer, Phone: 304-490-9308. 

  3. Robert C. Byrd Institute Early Stage Funding

    RCBI provides a number of funding options for new companies and entrepreneurs.
    Benefits: Receive early-stage grant funding and other in-kind assistance.
    Grant award characteristics: West Virginia companies who need assistance with early working capital needs for prototyping, marketing, and other needs.
    For more information: Go to RCBI: Early Stage Funding.
  4. Governor’s Guaranteed Workforce Program

    This program answers the call for funding for West Virginia businesses who need help re-training employees who have been displaced by shifts in market forces.
    Benefits: Receive funding to help re-train and up-skill employees to meet your business needs.
    Grant award target characteristics: Must be pre-approved to receive employee training assistance funding.
    For more information: Phone: 304-558-2234 or go to WV Commerce: Training

  5. Wheeling Heritage Show of Hands Grant

    A public pitch presentation that occurs three times each year where the fan favorite winner is chosen with audience participation.
    Benefits: Receive between $1,000 - $25,000 in grant funding.
    Grant award target characteristics: For Wheeling, WV, based companies.
    For more information: Go to Wheeling Heritage: Show of Hands.

  6. U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Value Added Producer Grants

    These grants provide working capital to food companies for operating costs like marketing expenses or inventory.
    Benefits: Receive between $75,000 - $250,000 in grant funding.
    Grant award target characteristics: Targeted grantees include independent producers and groups like farmer or rancher co-ops that are producing and marketing value-added agricultural products.
    For more information: Point of contact: Kris Warner, West Virginia State Director Phone: 304-284-4860 or go to USDA: Value Added Producer Grants

  7. FedEx’s Small Business Grant

    A grant competition for entrepreneurs with innovative ideas and products.
    Benefits: Receive between $1,000 - $25,000 in grant funding.
    Grant award target characteristics: The grant application is open to for-profit businesses that have been operating for at least six months, with no more than 99 employees. Previous winners include an eco-friendly alternative to plastic water bottles, a saffron/spice provider and a company that produced teddy bears in military uniforms that help children fall asleep.
    For more information: Email Fedex: Grant.

  8. Visa Everywhere Initiative Grants

    This grant is focused on startups relevant to Visa’s business, with a product in market, showing sales and investment traction.
    Benefits: Receive between $1,000 - $50,000 in grant funding.
    Grant award target characteristics: The application seeks startups that can help merchants drive greater loyalty and customer conversion, how startups can help small and medium businesses accept digital payments and other digital solutions, and how startups can augment their products with voice, messaging and AI solutions.
    For more information: Go to Visa: Everywhere Initiative Grant.

  9. LendingTree Grants

    These grants focus on funding solutions to help communities grow and prepare for the future. Benefits Receive between $5,000 - $50,000 grant award range.
    Grant award target characteristics: The application seeks passionate, growth-minded and communitycentric candidates. The most recent winner is an educational company that focuses on STEM and leading K-12 students through hands-on activities to prepare them for the future.
    For more information: Email Affliates at LendingTree  or go to LendingTree.

  10. Chase Mission Main Street Grants

    This grant focuses on small businesses, products and mission oriented ventures.
    Benefits: Receive between $5,000 - $250,000 in grant funding.
    Grant award target characteristics: Past winners include a company that helps veterans find jobs after returning home (focused on the cyber and IT industry), a company that provides technical training to those in the healthcare field, a specialty grocery store and a mountain bike producer.
    For more information Phone: 212-270-6000 or go to Chase: Mission Main Grants.

  11. National Association of the Self-Employed’s Growth Grants

    This grant focuses on the businesses of NASE’s entrepreneurial membership.
    Benefits: Receive between $1,000 - $4,000 in grant funding.
    Grant award target characteristics: Applicants must be National Association f or the Self- Employed members in good standing who demonstrate a business need that can be fulfilled by the grant. The application must show how the grant will improve business growth and long-term success.
    For more information: Email National Association or go to National Associate of the Self-Employed Growth Grants.

Targeting high-tech companies

  1. TransTech Energy Conference Pitch

    Annually held in Cannonsburg, PA, this “new energy ” technology conference holds a pitch competition for tri-state startups.
    Benefits: Receive $30,000 in grant funding.
    Grant award target characteristics: The competition is aimed at research and development firms that are solving emerging problems with transitional energy technology.
    For more information go to Transfer Tech Energy

  2. U.Pitch

    This Chicago-based pitch competition is aimed specifically at current and recent college student entrepreneurs.
    Benefits Receive between $500 - $7,500 in grant funding.
    Grant award target characteristics: Current and aspiring U.S. startup founders can present their unique product ideas and business models via a brief (140 characters or less) description and a 90-second pitch video explaining the idea.
    For more information: go to Future Founders: UPitch

  3. Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge

    This visionary science and technology startup competition is designed specifically to address the needs of deep-tech entrepreneurs across several different industries and technologies.
    Benefits: Receive between $15,000 - $100,000 in grant funding.
    Grant award target characteristics: This grant focuses on companies doing transformative work in the fields of aeronautics, data, AI, digital health, energy, food, agriculture, environment, global health, biotech, industry 4.0, new materials, mobility, space and well-being.
    For more information: go to Hello Tomorrow: Startups

  4. U.S. Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR)

    This grant is meant to help include businesses in the federal government’s research and development community.
    Benefits: Receive between $5,000 - $1,000,000 in grant funding.
    Grant award target characteristics: This grant supports domestic small businesses engaging in federal research and development that has the potential for commercialization.
    For more information: go to Small Business Innovation Research Grants

  5. U.S. Small Business Technology Transfer Grants (STTR)

    STTR encourages technology transfer from research institutions to private companies engaging in high tech commercialization.
    Benefits Receive between $5,000 - $1,000,000 in grant funding.
    Grant award target characteristics: STTR grants are awarded to companies partnering with research institutions to commercialize technology. Both parties must establish an intellectual property agreement detailing the allocation of IP and rights to carry out follow-on research, development or commercialization activities.
    For more information: go to Small Business Technology Transfer Grants

Targeting women- and veteran-owned businesses

  1. SBA’s InnovateHER Challenge

    This grant focuses on having an impact in the lives of women and girls.
    Benefits: Receive between $5,000 - $40,000 in grant funding.
    Grant award target characteristics: The focus is on products and services that have a measurable impact on the lives of women and families, have the potential for commercialization and fill a need in the marketplace.
    For more information: Point of contact: Kathleen McShane, Asst. Administrator  or go to SBA: Innovate Her Challenge  

  2. WomensNet’s Amber Grants

    This grant focuses on passionate and savvy women entrepreneurs.
    Benefits: Receive between $1,000 - $11,000 in grant funding.
    Grant award target characteristics: While business details are vital, this grant focuses on women who believe in what they’re doing.
    For more information: go to Amber Grants 

  3. 19. The Halstead Grant

    This jewelry business focused grant is unique.
    Benefits: Receive between $1,000 - $7,500 in grant funding.
    Grant award target characteristics: Targeting women business owners who make and sell jewelry, each summer Halstead awards a grant to a new jewelry designer working primarily in silver.
    For more information Phone: 800-528-0535 or go to Halstead Grant

  4. Eileen Fischer Foundation’s Women-owned Business Grant

    This grant targets products and solutions for women’s personal transformation.
    Benefits: Receive between $1,000 - $10,000 in grant funding.
    Grant award target characteristics: Particularly interested in programs that encourage self-discovery and personal transformation, help women or girls find their inner strength and trust intuition or address any phase of a woman’s or girl’s life.
    For more information: Phone: 800-445-1603 or go to Eileen Fischer Foundation

  5. Huggies’ MomInspired Grants

    Here’s a grant that focuses on funding ‘mom’preneurs and their business dreams.
    Benefits: Receive between $1,000 - $12,000 in grant funding.
    Grant award target characteristics:Provides business counsel and money to fund women-owned startups and new product innovations.

  6. The McCormick Foundation’s New Media Women Entrepreneurs Grants

    This grant supports women entrepreneurs in the fields of news media and information.
    Benefits: Receive between $1,000 - $14,000 in grant funding.
    Grant award target characteristics: This grant provides seed funding for new women-led news ideas. It seeks to spotlight the creative assets of women to help address issues of opportunity, innovation, recruitment and retention of women in journalism.
    For more information: Point of contact: Jan Schaffer Phone: 202-885-8100 or go to New Media Women 

  7. StreetShares Commander’s Call Veteran Business Award

    Provides a finance products focused on the military and veterans market including small business grants, lines of credit, factoring, and social-impact investing.
    Benefits: Receive between $1,000 - $5,000 in grant funding.
    Grant award target characteristics: This veteran-run and focused funding source based outside of Washington, D.C., offers unique financial products for America’s veterans by capturing the social loyalty that exists within the military community and harnessing that trust to de-risk financial transactions.
    For more information Phone: 800-560-1435 or go to StreetShares

Equity Investors for West Virginia Companies

Building a great team with experienced and connected equity investors can be very helpful for a startup venture. Investors who can see a business opportunity and market will add value to a startup team. For their investment of money and time, they get an ownership stake in the company.

Targeting companies in West Virginia 

  1. Mountain State Capital

    Connects portfolio companies to the customers, strategic partners and funders needed to grow.
    Benefits: Receive between $250,000 - $1,500,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: West Virginia’s first and only small business investment corporation (SBIC) invests at the seed stage and has worked with many of the region’s most prominent research universities, angel groups and seed funds.
    For more information: Email Matt Harbaugh or go to Mountain State Capital.
     
  2. High Tech Consortium Foundation’s INNOVA:

    INNOVA focuses on companies that can strengthen West Virginia’s economy and build on its federal agency and contractor presence.
    Benefits: Receive between $50,000 - $150,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Looks for companies that are driven by knowledge, excellence and innovation, rooted in West Virginia values, with a proven plan to strengthen and diversify the state’s economy.
    For more information: Phone: 877-363-5482 or  Email INNOVA

  3. West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust’s WVCAP Seed Capital Co-Investment Fund

    This fund focuses on small companies in West Virginia, whether they are early or mature.
    Benefits: Receive between $10,000 - $500,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Funds can be used for market and competitive analysis, design and development of prototypes or to hire key personnel.
    For more information: Phone: 304-345-6200 or go to WVJIT.

  4. Bright Enterprises

    This fund grew from the success of the Bright family businesses, and now it invests across West Virginia.
    Benefits: Receive between $50,000 - $1,000,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Funds can be used for work capital growth capital by firms competing in large addressable markets.
    For more information: Point of contact: Brian Helmick or go to Bright WV

  5. Tri-State Angel Investment Group

    This fund provides venture capital to startup or expanding companies that can provide investors with an attractive financial return.
    Benefits: Receive between $50,000 - $250,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Objectives are to create jobs and economic growth in the tristate region. In West Virginia, the group focuses on Wayne, Cabell, Lincoln, Putnam and Mason counties.
    For more information Email Tri-state Angel Investment group or go to Tri-State Angel Investment Group.

Targeting companies within a region that includes West Virginia 

  1. RTP Capital Associates

    This North Carolina Research Triangle based investor has a regional approach investing in tech-focused or execution-driven business models.
    Benefits: Receive between $100,000 - $3,000,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: RTP provides seed to early-stage technology companies with growth capital. An exit should be possible within 3-5 years.
    For more information: Email RTP 
  2. Triangle Angel Partners (TAP)

    AP invests in companies within a half-day’s drive of Research Triangle Park, NC.
    Benefits: Receive between $100,000 - $500,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Triangle Angle Partners fund high-tech startups with a strong market opportunity. Funds must be used to accelerate the company’s achievement of key milestones that increase value. Fundable activities include product development, building sales and marketing infrastructure and hiring key executives.
    For more information: Email TAP or go to  TAP's website.
  3. Contender Capital

    Contender invests in early stage companies within the Research Triangle Park region.
    Benefits: Receive between $100,000 - $500,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Focused on regional early-stage tech companies that are poised to become market leaders.
    For more information: Point of contact: Email Joe Velk or go to Contender Capital        
  4. Solidarity Capital Group

    Solidarity is a regional certified B Corp impact investment firm that funds economically sustainable social justice enterprises.
    Benefits: Receive between $50,000 - $250,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Solidarity Capital is creating opportunities for people of faith and goodwill to finance social entrepreneurs serving marginalized people. Focus areas include community and economic development including real estate, sustainable agriculture including distribution and retailing, energy and environment, and social finance.
    For more information: Email Solidarity or go to Solidarity Capital Group.  
  5. Bull City Venture Partners

    Bull City Venture Partners is an early, often first, institutional investor in tech startups.
    Benefits: Receive between $250,000 - $2,000,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Bull City will invest in seed and growth stage companies with experienced teams and entrepreneurs that have unique advantages. Focus areas include software, internet, mobile, health IT and e-commerce.
    For more information: Point of contact: Email Jason Caplain.
  6. Idea Fund Partners

    Idea Fund Partners provides funding for dynamic young technology companies.
    Benefits: Receive between $100,000 - $750,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Focus areas include software, tech enabled services, materials technologies, medical devices and diagnostics.
    For more information: Call David Jones at 919-808-4000 or go to Idea Fund Partners.        
  7. Bluetree Venture Fund

    Bluetree is a regionally focused venture capital firm based in Pittsburgh, PA, investing in firms located within 250 miles.
    Benefits: Receive between $1,000,000 - $5,000,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Bluetree targets early institutional investments in medical technologies, software and high-tech instrumentation companies demonstrating compelling tech, strong management teams and capital-efficient business models with clear opportunities for exit through strategic acquisition.
    For more information: Phone: 724-475-4538 or Email BlueTree or go to BlueTree Venture Fund.
  8. Adams Capital Management

    This Pittsburgh-based venture capital firm targets firms needing midsize early investments.
    Benefits: Receive between $1,000,000 - $5,000,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Focused on early-stage applied technology opportunities across the region.
    For more information: Phone: 412-749-9454 or go to Adams Capital.
  9. Incline Equity Partners

    This Pittsburgh-based firm focuses on buyouts, corporate divestitures and minority recapitalizations.
    Benefits: Receive between $5,000,000 - $50,000,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Focuses on companies with valuations of $50 million - $300 million where Incline can value-add with product alteration, technical sales, logistics, complex sourcing or category management. Targets consumer and industrial products with significant brand equity, unique value proposition, high margins; in particular, business services with high customer repeatability and recurring revenue.
    For more information: Phone: 412-315-7800 or go to Incline Equity
  10. Draper Triangle Ventures

    Draper Triangle is a Pittsburgh-based, early-stage investor.
    Benefits: Receive between $5,000,000 - $50,000,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Focused on companies where midwest values meet high-tech market solutions in software, robotics, medical devices, mobile applications or connected devices.
    For more information: Go to Draper Triangle
  11. Tecum Capital Partners

    Tecum Capital is a midsize SBIC fund that focuses on making mezzanine debt and minority equity investments in companies with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization of at least $2 million.
    Benefits: Receive between $3,000,000 - $15,000,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Partners with other investors and management teams to facilitate recapitalizations, buyouts, generational transitions, acquisitions and other growth capital needs. Serves as a value-added resource to the management teams of portfolio companies in strategic planning, finances, operations, add-on acquisitions and growth financing.
    For more information: Phone: 724-602-4399 or go to Tecum.        
  12. PNC RiverArch Capital

    Pittsburgh-based middle-market private equity firm that invests in privately-held companies headquartered throughout North America.
    Benefits: Receive between $10,000,000 - $50,000,000 investments. Portfolio company characteristics Invests across a variety of industry sectors, including value-added distribution, specialized manufacturing, business and industrial 27 services, software, and tech-enabled services. Supports buyouts, recapitalizations, corporate divestitures and growth financings.
    For more information: Phone: 412-762-2245 or go to PNC Riverarch Capital.  

Targeting Opportunity Zone investments across the U.S. 

  1. Savage Grant OZF

    A West Virginia-based OZF focused on acquisitions, startups and commercial real estate.
    For more information: Point of contact: Patrick Farrell Phone: 800-480-7867 or email Savage Grant or go to Savage Grant website.
     
  2. 1787 Capital OZF

    A $50 million mid-Atlantic and southeast U.S. focused OZF partnering with public agencies and officials on key redevelopment projects.
    For more information: Email Chris Jeter or Phone: 646-283-7295 or go to 1787 Capital.
  3. Access Ventures OZF

    A $100 million OZF focused nationally on operating businesses.
    For more information: Email Ross Baird Phone: 404-281-1254 or go to Access Venture
  4. Affordable Housing OZF

    A $100 million nationally focused OZF targeting multifamily real estate developments.
    For more information: Point of Contact: Kim Miller. Go to Affordable Housing or  email Affordable Housing or Phone: 603-213-8620.       
  5. EJF OZF

    A $300 million nationally focused real estate development firm.
    For more information: Point of Contact: Carter Henderson. Phone: 703-875-9121 or email EJF or go to ejfcp.com/default.aspx InvestorRelations@ejfcap.com
  6. Garnett Station Partners OZF

    A $250 million southeast- focused OZF investing in commercial and residential real estate as well as hospitality, solar and operating businesses.
    For more information: Point of Contact: Alexander Peskind Phone: 646-957-0756 Email  Garnett Station or go to  gsp-ozf.com.
  7. Obsidian OZF

    A $100 million nationally focused OZF focused on solar. For more information Point of contact: Allen Alley. Phone: 503-245-8800 or go to  obsidianopportunityfund.com.
  8. Opportunity Development Group OZF

    A $500 million OZF focused on real estate development in major gateway cities.
    For more information: Email Gavriel Kahane. Phone: 646-849-3668 or go to  odgfund.com.
  9. OPZ Capital OZF

    A $500 million nationally focused commercial real estate OZF.
    For more information: Email Craig Bernstein or phone: 240-731-1310  Email Jill Homan or phone: 202-695-3467 or go to  opzcapital.com.
  10. Peachtree Hotel OZF

    A $100 million nationally focused hospitality OZF.
    For more information: Email:  J. Dana Tsakanikas. Phone: 404-497-4118 or go to  stonehillstrategiccapital.com.
  11. Saxum OZF

    A $100 million northeast and mid-Atlantic OZF focused on value-added and opportunistic investments.
    For more information: Point of Contact: Chad DeBolt, Director of Investments Phone: 908-210-1045.
  12. Sixty West OZF

    A $200 million nationally focused OZF targeting multifamily, mixed use, hospitality, retail, and office real estate.
    For more information: Phone: 404-304-0228. Email  Jason Cordon or  email Mike Ballard. Phone: 702-467-0789 or go to  Sixty West Funds.
  13. Strategic OZF

    A $500 million nationally focused OZF targeting multifamily, hospitality, retail, office and solar investments.
    For more information: Point of Contact: Mike Fields, COO. Phone: 404-963-6657 or go to  email Strategic OZF.
  14. Fundrise OZF

    A Washington, D.C., based OZF real estate development crowdfunding platform.
    For more information: Phone: 202-584-0550. Email Ben Miller or go to  fundrise.com.
  15. EJF Capital OZF

    Washington, D.C., based OZF real estate development group.
    For more information: ejfi.com.
  16. Enterprise Community Partners OZF

    A Columbia, MD, based OZF real estate development firm.
    For more information: enterprisecommunity.org
  17. EquityMultiple OZF

    A New York, NY, based OZF real estate development platform.
    For more information: Email  Watue Sowaprux. Phone: 646-960-6144 or go to  equitymultiple.com.
  18. North Country Growers OZF

    A Berlin, NH, based OZF focused on agriculture real estate development.
    For more information: Phone: 617-484-3755.  Email North Country Growers or go to  americanagenergy.com
  19. Alpha Capital Partners OZF

    A Canonsburg, PA, based OZF real estate development firm.
    For more information: Phone: 412-212-0665 or go to alphacapitalpartners.com.
  20. Hypothesis Ventures OZF

    An LA/Chicago/NYC based OZF with accelerator programs focused on opportunity zone companies.
    For more information: Email Hypothesis or go to  hypothesisvc.com.
  21. Wefunder OZF

    A San Francisco/Boston based OZF equity and real estate crowdfunding platform.
    For more information: Email WeFunder or go to  wefunder.com.
  22. Revolution OZF

    A Washington, D.C., based OZF startup investment group.
    For more information: Phone: 202-776-1400 or go to  revolution.com.
  23. Goldman Sachs OZF

    A New York, NY, based OZF focused on low income real estate development.
    For more information: goldmansachs.com.
  24. Sound West Realty Capital OZF

    A Bremerton, WA, based OZF focused on real estate development.
    For more information: Phone: 877-277-7886 or go to  soundwestrc.com.
  25. Virtua Partners OZF

    A Phoenix, AZ, based OZF real estate development firm focused on single-family and multifamily housing and hospitality.
    For more information: Email  Zachary Chavez. Phone: 480-757-6503 or go to virtuapartners.com
  26. Cresset Capital OZF

    A Chicago, IL, based OZF real estate development firm focused on multifamily, office and other asset types.
    For more information: Email Nick Parrish. Phone: 312-429-2450 or go to  cressetcapital.com.
  27. OPZ Capital OZF

    A Washington, D.C., based OZF focused on real estate development.
    For more information: Email Craig Bernstein or go to  opzcapital.com 
  28. Skybridge Capital OZF

    A New York, NY, based OZF focused on real estate development.
    For more information: Phone: 212-485-3100 or go to skybridge.com.
  29. Normandy Real Estate Partners OZF

    A Morristown, NJ, based OZF focused on real estate development.
    For more information: Email Normandy Real Estate or go to normandyrealty.com.
  30. Somerset Partners OZF

    A Bronx, NY, based OZF focused on real estate development.
    For more information: Phone: 212-825-1300. Email Somerset Partners or go to Somerset Partners.
  31. Berkadia OZF

    A New York, NY, based OZF real estate development firm.
    For more information: berkadia.com.
  32. Capri Capital Partners OZF

    A Chicago, IL, based OZF real estate development firm.
    For more information: capri.global.

Targeting companies using online or remote incubation programs 

  1. Impact Growth

    This delocalized incubation program is compatible with other accelerators, making it a flexible option for founders.
    Benefits: Provides a combination of equity-free funding and VC capita to tech startups.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Seeks growth-stage startups with a product already on the market.
    For more information: Email Impact Growth or go to  impact-accelerator.com
  2. 1M/1M

    This California-based online accelerator uses the network effect to amplify participant success.
    Benefits: Equity funding and wide-reaching, interconnected mentoring.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Aspires to help one million entrepreneurs achieve one million dollars in annual revenue across multiple tech verticals.
    For more information: go to 1/M/1M.
  3. DreamIt Ventures

    One of the 20 most-active incubators in the U.S.
    Benefits: Helps entrepreneurs scale via securing capital and customers.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Partners with brands and corporations to help portfolio companies with pilot programs and tech advancement.
    For more information: Go to DreamIT.        
  4. 500 Startups

    This firm has worked with over 3,000 founders to accelerate, grow and scale their businesses.
    Benefits: Receive $100,000 in equity investment.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Invests in a diversity of startup founders and offers a four-month accelerator program that provides hands-on learning, office space and mentorship.
    For more information: 500.co.
  5. IBM

    IBM encourages new businesses to grow and develop using their Watson platform and other tech.
    Benefits: Receive cloud credits for use in IBM’s software development ecosystem.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Targets companies with business revenue in the last 12 months of less than $1 million and less than 5 years old.
    For more information: developer.ibm.com/startups

Targeting social or environmental impact companies across the U.S. 

  1. Impact America

    Invests in billion-dollar market opportunities that use technology to enhance the lives of all Americans.
    Benefits: Receive between $50,000 - $500,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Impact America’s mission is to engage recent graduates and college students to address community needs through collaborative efforts to promote change in the communities served.
    For more information: Point of Contact: Channing Kennedy Bethke.  Email Impact America or go to  impactamerica.com.
  2. Village Capital

    Village Capital invests in companies vetted through their nationwide accelerator network.
    Benefits: Receive between $50,000 - $500,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Invest in extraordinary entrepreneurs that traditional venture capital firms often overlook. Focuses on investments in peerselected companies with a social or environmental mission sourced from Village Capital programs.
    For more information: Point of Contact:  Allie Burns.  Email Village Capital or go to  vilcap.com.
  3. Sustain VC

    Focuses on companies with dedication and commitment to social and environmental impact.
    Benefits: Receive between $500,000 - $5,000,000 investments. Portfolio company characteristics Invests in early-stage, high- growth companies with strong, diverse and passionate management teams. Usually in post proof-of-concept stage with clear market traction, contracts, strategic partnerships, users, etc.
    For more information: Email Justin Desrosiers or go to Sustain VC.

  4. Bain Capital Double Impact

    Partners with companies that offer products, services or business models that can scale positive social impact. Benefits Receive between $300,000 - $2,000,000 investments. Portfolio company characteristics Focused on self-identified mission-oriented companies as well as more traditional businesses that create positive social impact related to sustainability, health and wellness, and community building. Makes buyout and control investments in lower middle market companies in North America.
    For more information: Point of Contact: Ernesto Anguilla.  Email Bain Capital or go to  baincapital.com.
  5. InvestEco

    Investing in expansion-stage companies in North America that promote health and sustainability in the food and agricultural sector. Benefits Receive between $500,000 -$2,000,000 investments. Portfolio company characteristics Invests in companies that produce environmentally superior food and agricultural products or services. Typically have between $1 – $30 million in revenues. Goal is to make a strong financial return while supporting companies that are contributing to a healthier world.
    For more information: Point of Contact: Kasia Hulicki Phone: 416-304-1750. Email info@investeco.com or go to investeco.com.
  6. SJF Ventures

    Provides expertise and networks in the clean tech, s ustainability and tech-enhanced services sectors.
    Benefits: Receive between $1,000,000 - $10,000,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Invests in fields including analytical software, mobile healthcare communication platforms, digitalized workflows and minority career outreach programs.
    For more information: Point of Contact: Cody Nystrom. Phone: 917-693-4858 or go to SJF

  7. Arborview Capital Partners

    Makes growth equity and venture capital investments in high growth, mission-oriented companies.
    Benefits: Receive between $3,000,000 - $10,000,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Focuses on mission-driven fields such as water conservation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, and energy efficiency. Incorporates environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics and analytics into investment decisions and portfolio management.
    For more information: Point of Contact: Roger Ballentine Phone: 301-215-8320 Email Arborview Capital or go to  arborviewcapital.com.
  8. Birchmere Ventures

    Funds innovative companies that make a positive impact while delivering strong returns for investors.
    Benefits: Receive between $1,000,000 - $20,000,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: With offices in Pittsburgh and San Francisco, Birchmere is focused on technology, financial services and software sectors. Current ventures include e-commerce, smart phone-based teaching tools for STEM students and navigation software.
    For more information: Email Birchmere or go to birchmerevc.com.
  9. Core Innovation Capital

    Invests in companies that deliver efficient, well-designed financial products that save people time and money, create upward mobility and scale broadly.
    Benefits: Receive between $1,000,000 - $5,000,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Looks for technology impr oving transparency, reducing risk and leveling overhead costs.
    For more information:  corevc.com.

  10. DBL Venture Capital

    Uses a “double bottom line” investment strategy to invest in companies that can deliver top-tier venture capital returns while enabling social, environmental and economic improvement in the regions in which they operate.
    Benefits: Receive between $5,000,000 - $70,000,000 investmen ts.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Accelerates innovation in a way that positively affects an organization’s social impact, as well as its financial success. Focuses on clean tech, information technology, sustainable products and services and healthcare.
    For more information:
    dblpartners.vc.
  11. Encourage Capital

    Building a community of investors, foundations, market-leading companies and nonprofits to deploy private capital into systemic solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.
    Benefits: Receive between $5,000,000 - $20,000,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Seeks to change the way investment capital is used to solve critical environmental and social problems.
    For more information: encour agecapital.com.  
  12. InvestEco

    Focus is on high-growth North American companies that promote health and sustainability in the food and agricultural sector.
    Benefits: Receive between $1,000,000 - $5,000,000 investments. Portfolio company characteristics Focuses on renewable energy, water technologies, resource productivity technologies, efficient transportation solutions, health and sustainability in the food and agriculture sector.
    For more information: investeco.com
  13. SJF Ventures

    A national social impact investment firm focusing on the clean tech, sustainability and technology-enhanced services sectors.
    Benefits: Receive $1,000,000 - $10,000,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Focused on analytical software, mobile healthcare communication platforms, digitalized workflows, minority career outreach programs and more.
    For more information: Point of Contact: Cody Nystrom. Phone: 917-693-4858 or go to jfventures.com.
  14. The Lyme Timber Company

    Private timberland investment manager that focuses on the acquisition and sustainable management of lands with unique conservation values.
    Benefits: Receive equity investment for forestlands or related mitigation and conservation assets.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Current investments include timberlands companies across the U.S.
    For more information: Email Lyme Timber or go to lymetimber.com.

  15. Better Ventures

    Seeks outsized returns by backing founders on a mission to solve the world’s biggest problems.
    Benefits: Receive between $500,000 - $5,000,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Focuses on founders with the intellectual capacity and drive to build truly world-changi ng companies. Invests at the early stage in smart and resilient teams building disruptive technologies in the fields of education technology, gender equality, future of work, access to affordable care, aging and senior care preventative health, clean energy, closed loop systems and wat er analytics.
    For more information: better.vc

  16. North Sky Capital

    Invests in companies that support sustainability and clean technology advances.
    Benefits: Receive equity investments from one in a series of clean-tech funds.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Focused on water, healthcare, renewable energy, corporate efficiency, built environment, energy management and storage, recycling and waste-to-value, transportation, pollution controls, sustainable agriculture and education.
    For more information: Point of Contact: Gretchen Postula Email North Sky or go to the North Sky Capital site.  
  17. Rethink Education

    Aims to transform the way that people learn by partnering with early and growth-stage ed-tech entrepreneurs.
    Benefits: Receive between $50,000 - $500,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Rethink Education finds entrepreneurs creating new ways of teaching, of supporting students, of providing access and meaning to crucial data. Target companies are grounded in rigorous pedagogy with strong business models and proven product-market fit to ensure that they can scale.
    For more information: Point of Contact: Michael Walden. Phone: 914-683-8474. Email Rethink or go to Rethink Education
  18. The Builders

    Helps solve environmental and social problems through the profitable deployment of capital into conscious businesses.
    Benefits: Receive between $50,000 - $500,000 investments.
    Por tfolio company characteristics:  Makes investments around well-researched market themes where platform companies can be built. Focuses on conscious companies building a transformational business, aspirational culture, and an inherently profitable model with the potential to scale.
    For more information: Point of Contact: Tripp Baird Email The Builders or go to The Builders

  19. Imp act Assets’ Small Enterprise Assis-tance Fund

    Focused on small- and medium-sized bu sinesses in growth stage.
    Benefits: Receive between $100,000 - $1,000,000 investments.
    Po rtfolio company characteristics: Focuses on clean technology, sustainable agriculture and small and medium business development.
    For more information: Point of Contact: Robert Vodicka Email Impact Assets' or go to Impact Assets.   

  20. TriLinc Global

    Invests in globally diversified opportunities that generate attractive returns as well as create positive social impact.
    Benefits: Receive equity investment to advance social and environmental missions.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Focuses on companies aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals with ongoing commitment to ESG practices such as energy savings, waste reduction and water conservation or social policies such as fair hiring, compensation, maternity leave, community service and corporate donations.
    For more information: Phone: 310-997-0580 or go to Trilinc.
  21. Aqua Spark

    A VC firm focused on marine and aquaculture investment opportunities.
    Benefits: Receive between $250,000 - $5,000,000 investments.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Focuses on companies with a strong and experienced management team that is financially committed to and rewarded by the company’s success. Targets need a strong competitive position as a result of superior technology, innovative products, comparative cost advantage, established market position, significant barriers to entry or dominant distribution in their market.
    For more information: Email: Aqua Spark.
  22. Atticventures

    Helps digital businesses define their product and growth strategy and build their operations and revenues.
    Benefits: Receive equity investment to advance social and environmental missions.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Current investments include a company that helps museums increase consumer engagement, a company that streamlines the processes of writing TV and a company that acts as a travel guide.
    For more information:  Point of contact: Mark G. Johnson. Email Atticventures or go to the Atticventures site.

  23. Pilot Mountain Ventures

    Investing in companies that disrupt and create new markets.
    Benefits: Receive equity investment to advance social and environmental missions.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Focuses on scalable businesses with low costs and foreseeable exits. Industry agnostic, but mainly focuses on the technology and medical device sectors. Current investments include a high ankle repair company,a glaucoma treatment company and a company that blocks distractions across all platforms or devices.
    For more information: Point of contact: Steven Perricone. Phone: 212-260-9158 or go to  Pilot Mountain Ventures.

Alternative Lenders for West Virginia Companies

The benefit of using debt as a finance tool is that you get to keep the equity of your company, paying interest on a loan instead.

Targeting small businesses

  1. CommunityWorks in West Virginia, Inc.

    A community development financial institution that provides a variety of services to homeowners and member organizations.
    Benefits: Receive between $5,000 - $100,000 loans.
    Loan recipient characteristics: Offers innovative mortgage lending products, technical assistance, training and services.
    For more information: Phone: 304-965-2241 or go to communityworkswv.org.
  2. Washington County Council on Economic Development

    First Microloan of West Virginia Focused on job-creating women, low-income, minority and veteran-owned businesses.
    Benefits: Receive between $5,000 - $50,000 loans.
    Loan recipient characteristics: Funds opening or expanding West Virginia businesses, buying inventory, purchasing equipment or supplementing working capital.
    For more information: Point of contact: Tim James, Wheeling Loan Officer Phone: 304-604-3560 Point of Contact: Sam Payne Sr., Charleston Loan Officer. Phone: 304-281-0488 or go to Washington County Council.
  3. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program

    Funds operational improvements for agriculture businesses.
    Benefits: Receive $1,500 - $25,000,000 loans.
    Loan recipient characteristics: Funds may be used for renewable energy systems or improvements such as biomass, geothermal, hydropower, hydrogen, wind generation, s o lar generation and ocean power generation.
    For more information: Point of Contact: Jesse Gandee. Phone: 304-284-4882 or go to USDA. 
  4. AgFirst Farm Credit Bank

    A nationwide network of 73 customer-owned lending institutions that support rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services.
    Benefits: Receive between $50,000 - $1,500,000 loans.
    Loan recipient characteristics: Focused on rural communities and agriculture businesses as w ell as home buyers.
    For more information: Phone: 800-845-1745 or go to  agfirst.com.
  5. Natural Capital Investment Fund

    A community development financial institution that lends and provides advisory services to businesses and nonprofits located in underserved rural and urban communities.
    Benefits: Receive between $5,000 - $750,000 loans.
    Loan recipient characteristics: Specializes in triple-bottom-line West Virginia enterprises that are otherwise difficult to fund.
    For more information: Point of Contact: Marten Jenkins Phone: 304-870-2207. 
  6. Wyoming County EDA

    Provides capital that small businesses need to start and grow in southern West Virginia.
    Benefits: Receive between $5,000 - $50,000 loans.
    Loan recipient characteristics: Fills gaps in small business capital needs that are not addressed by other lending institutions. Partners with other lending institutions to maximize the leveraging of loan funds.
    For more information: Phone: 304-732-6707 or go to Wyoming County.
  7. Woodlands Development Group and Community Lenders

    A community development financial institution serving Barbour, Tucker, and Randolph counties. Benefits Receive between $4,000 - $100,000 loans.
    Loan recipient characteristics: Focused on housing and community development, downtown redevelopment, community facilities and planning and small business lending.
    For more information: Phone: 304-636-6495 or go to  wdgwv.org.
  8. The United Federal Credit Union, Morgantown

    A community development financial institution focused on West Virginia business opportunities.
    Benefits: Receive between $25,000 - $100,000 loans.
    Loan recipient characteristics: Focused on home construction and small business financing.
    For more information: Point of Contact: Vicky Metts, Vice President of Operations Phone: 304-225-1902 or go to  tufcu.org.
  9. New River Gorge Regional Devel opment Authority

    An alternative finance option focused on Fayette, Raleigh, Nicholas and Summers counties.
    Benefits: Receive between $7,500 - $200,000 loans.
    Loan recipient characteristics: Serves as an alternative source of financing to those who do not have access to capital through traditional sources.
    For more information: Phone: 304-254-8115 or email New River Gorge Development.
  10. Center for Rural Health Development

    A community development financial institution focused on healthcare expansion opportunities in West Virginia.
    Benefits: Receive between $50,000 - $200,000 loans.
    Loan recipient characteristics: Eligible borrowers include hospitals, private physician and dental practices, community health centers, long-term care providers, behavioral health providers, pharmacists and others.
    For more information: Phone: 304-397-4071 or go to wvruralhealth.org.
  11. Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council

    A community development lender in central West Virginia counties.
    Benefits: Receive between $2,000 - $250,000 loans.
    Loan recipient characteristics: Focused on companies in Ritchie, Wood, Pleasants, Jackson, Calhoun, Roane, Tyler and Wirt counties with limited offerings to Doddridge, Gilmer, Mason and Tucker counties.
    For more information: Point of Contact: Carol Jackson Phone: 304-422-4993 or go to movrc.org.
  12. The Progress Fund

    A Greenburg, PA, alternative lender for hard-to-finance projects.
    Benefits: Receive between $50,000 - $1,000,000 loans. Loan recipient characteristics Can be used to restore old buildings or finance a tourism or hospitality business.
    For more information: Phone: 724-216-9160 or go to progressfund.org.
  13. West Virginia Economic Development Authority (WVEDA)

    An alternative lender for West Virginia companies that emphasizes job creation in its lending criteria.
    Benefits: Receive between $50,000 - $10,000,000 loans.
    Loan recipient characteristics: Loans can be used for manufacturing, distribution centers or technology-based companies.
    For more information: go to wveda.org.
  14. Boone County Community and Economic Development Corporation

    Has assisted new and expanding small businesses with working capital through a regional microloan program.
    Benefits: Receive between $2,000 - $10,000 loans.
    Loan recipient characteristics: The goals are to aid in the development of small businesses and to create and preserve jobs in Boone, Logan, Lincoln and Mingo counties.
    For more information: Phone: 304-369-9118 or go to Boone County Community.
  15. Charleston Main Street CWVenture MicroLoan Program Under

    this lending program, CMS provides small startup or expansion loans.
    Benefits: Receive between $500 - $5,000 loans.
    Loan recipient characteristics: Loans can be used for projects including working capital, real estate, capital improvements, machinery and equipment.
    For more information: go to Charleston Main WVenture.
  16. Regional Development Funding Corporation (RDFC)

    Based in Pittsburgh, RDFC offers SBA’s 504 loan program throughout West Virginia.
    Benefits: Works with business operators and other lenders to craft loan packages.
    Loan recipient characteristics: Available for most qualified small businesses that meet the collaborative loan package requirements.
    For more information: go to  RDFC.

Targeting impact businesses

  1. RSF Social Finance

    Funds diverse company founders working toward solutions that deliver social, economic and ecological benefit.
    Benefits: Receive between $200,000 - $5,000,000 loans.
    Portfolio company characteristics: Funds companies whose mission drives what they do and how they do it. For example, use of funds includes creating new opportunities for youth or preserving farmland.
    For more information: Email RSF or go to  rsfsocialfinance.org.

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