Our Theory of Change
Almost every program that promises access to capital for small businesses falls far short of its promises. These programs may provide introductions and opportunities to pitch to banks, angel investors, and VCs, but very little money actually flows to the participants.
This is because these sources of funding are the wrong fit for the vast majority of small business owners. Most small business owners need access to patient, supportive funding that does not require them to comply with strict covenants, make onerous monthly payments, or try to become the next unicorn.
The best source of investment capital for these businesses is the vast untapped pool of individual, non-professional investors who currently invest most of their capital in the stock market.
If metro Baltimore households shifted just one percent of their investments to local business, that would be an infusion of over $26 billion of investment capital.
And Baltimore has already demonstrated its willingness to invest in local business! Our partner organization, Community Wealth Builders, has supported over 70 businesses with Reg CF campaigns to raise nearly $4.8 million from roughly 10,250 small investors. The vast majority of these businesses (89%) are owned by people of color.
The failure of existing capital markets to meet the needs of small, local and minority-owned businesses in Baltimore underscores the need for a new and comprehensive approach to finally move the needle on access to supportive capital for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Our goal is to provide an ecosystem of support so that underrepresented entrepreneurs can successfully reach their funding goals in a way that is legally compliant and designed to be in alignment with their long term needs and values.
Meet The Team
Jenny Kassan
Founder & CEO
Jenny has over 25 years of experience as an attorney and advisor for mission-driven enterprises.
She is the author of Raise Capital on Your Own Terms: How to Fund Your Business without Selling Your Soul (Berrett-Koehler, October 2017).
Jenny earned her J.D. from Yale Law School and a masters degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of California at Berkeley.
Jenny co-founded the Force for Good Fund, an impact investment fund managed by Community Ventures, a nonprofit organization that Jenny founded in 2008.
Jenny’s legal practice, The Kassan Group, provides legal services, coaching, and consulting for mission-driven companies, investors, and intermediaries.
Jenny served on the Securities and Exchange Commission Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies. She submitted the petition to the SEC that led to the passage of the 2012 JOBS Act and was present at the White House signing ceremony.
April and Tyron Harper
Directors of Innovation & Impact
April and Tyron founded a social enterprise based in Baltimore called Harp Vision.
Harp Vision offers wellness products through channels including Lexington Market and through partnerships in the hospitality industry. They also recently launched a service to help organizations raise funding by offering their products.
They are passionate about community wellness and social enterprise.
“Because we are a social enterprise in Baltimore, we want to make an impact. It’s important to us to hire from the community and make a difference,” says Tyron. “Our goal is to foster relationships where we can be profitable, but it’s also to come back into the community and educate people not only on plant-based body care but also on social entrepreneurship.”
April and Tyron were selected for the Empower by GoDaddy entrepreneurship program and have been featured in People, World in Black, Ebony, Yahoo Finance, and more.
Chip Conley
Hospitality Advisor
Chip was the founder of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, the second-largest operator of boutique hotels in the U.S., and served as Airbnb’s Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy, leading a worldwide revolution in travel. He is arguably the nation's top expert on creating unforgettable hospitality experiences.
Chip co-founded the Modern Elder Academy (MEA), the world's first "midlife wisdom school."
MEA has campuses in Baja California, Mexico and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Chip is a prolific author. His writings explore the intersections of psychology, business, and leadership, providing profound insights into creating meaningful and sustainable success.
Chip continues to inspire individuals and organizations to achieve their highest potential. He has made a lasting impact on the fields of hospitality, business, and personal development
Chip holds a BA and MBA from Stanford University and an honorary doctorate in psychology from Saybrook University.