Colorado Enterprise Fund

What is Colorado Enterprise Fund?

Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF) is a non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) founded in 1976, with its headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Their primary mission is to enable growth and economic development by providing small business loans and lines of credit to entrepreneurs in Colorado who may struggle to secure traditional bank financing.

They focus on being an affordable and supportive financing option, leveraging investments and grants from financial institutions, foundations, government agencies, other non-profit organizations, and individual contributions to fuel their lending activities. CEF emphasizes not only on providing capital but also on technical assistance to their borrowers, ensuring comprehensive support for small business development.

CEF grants loans for diverse purposes such as working capital, equipment or inventory purchase, franchise or existing business acquisitions, business property improvements, gap financing for real estate and refinancing of high-cost loans or credit cards. In addition, they offer specialized loan programs, community loan funds, the Colorado Startup Loan Fund, and utilize the New Markets Tax Credit to facilitate investment in low-income communities.

CEF's impact is evident through their impressive statistics: over 8,400 businesses served, in excess of $315 million in capital disbursed, and the maintenance or creation of more than 32,500 jobs. They also provide over 53,000 hours of business navigation, including coaching and advice.

Recognized for their positive influence, CEF was named the 2024 SBA Community Lender of the Year for Colorado and continues to build businesses, drive economic development, and create jobs, aligning closely with industries like Software (Web, Marketplace, SaaS), Retail & E-commerce, Sales & Marketing, and Mobile.