(Image Credit: CEDS Finance, McBoat Photography)
Innovative Financial Solutions for Diverse Needs By CARLY WILLIAMS Community Enterprise Development Services (CEDS Finance), a beacon of support for immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs, continues its mission to foster economic independence and support underserved communities in Colorado’s greater metropolitan area. Founded in 2009 by an Ethiopian immigrant expert in refugee services, CEDS Finance identified a critical financing gap affecting immigrants and refugees aspiring to realize their entrepreneurial dreams. Starting with a focus on refugee-owned businesses, the scope of CEDS’ support has broadened to include immigrant-owned and U.S.-born business owners, addressing a wider spectrum of financial disenfranchisement. Today, CEDS Finance’s mission is to advance the American Dream of financial self-sufficiency by
offering innovative financial solutions tailored to meet the needs of individuals facing significant barriers such as low to no credit scores, lack of collateral, limited educational backgrounds, and cultural and linguistic hurdles. These challenges often hinder their ability to obtain traditional financing. Innovative Financial Solutions for Diverse Needs CEDS Finance offers three distinctive financial products, which can be adapted to interest- based or non-interest murabaha* (fee-based) structures, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility: • Spark: Provides up to $15,000 with no owner’s equity or collateral required. • Elevate: Offers up to $50,000 with no collateral necessary. • Amplify: Allows entrepreneurs to access up to $100,000 to expand their business operations.
30 The Acumen
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