Background Statement
Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF) is a non-profit CDFI small business lender committed to helping entrepreneurs start and grow their business. We provide access to capital to veterans, low-income, minority, low-wealth, or underserved areas across Colorado. We help small businesses that don’t meet traditional financing guidelines for various reasons including the business is a startup, limited collateral, or lower credit scores. CEF provides flexible, low-barrier loans to be used for working capital, equipment, inventory, business purchase, property improvements, and more. Loans range from $1K to $1M and include SBA microloans along with loan solutions for specific groups/industries such as black entrepreneurs, veterans, and healthy food access. And it is not just about the loan for CEF. We also provide FREE business coaching to our borrowers through our Business Navigation Services. Our navigators help with areas such as business planning, marketing & sales, and accounting throughout the life of the loan. CEF has been dedicated to building businesses, driving community development, and creating jobs for over 45 years.
CEF is headquartered in Denver with satellite offices in Northern and Southern CO to support small businesses for the entire state of Colorado. Since 1976, we have lent over $246M in loans and grants to 7500+ small businesses that have created or retained over 31,000+ jobs. We have provided over 34,000 hours of business navigation services to our borrowers.
As a certified CDFI, CEF provides 90% of capital and coaching programs to underserved communities. Our impact is evident by our lending demographics as 55% low-income, 45% women-owned, 35% minority-owned, 60% start-ups, and 12% veteran-owned businesses.