Capital Partners™ is a peer-lending, microloan program of RISE designed to meet the credit needs of businesses in the Greater Los Angeles area since 1993. Capital Partners™ is a comprehensive program that offers loans, business training and education, group support, and networking opportunities to self-employed business owners and entrepreneurs with limited access to working capital. Peer-lending loan programs have assisted thousands of self-employed individuals across the United States. This Program is a replication of Working Capital, which received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Micro-Enterprise Development in 1997 and 2001.
The program is one of the few of its kind to offer micro-loans following the Grameen Bank model, a Nobel Peace Prize-winning microfinance organization founded in Bangladesh. As a result Capital Partners™ has produced hundreds of entrepreneurs throughout Los Angeles County; from candy makers to fashion designers. Capital Partners™ is open to all business ideas – no prior experience necessary! And the best part; no credit check to obtain a loan. Participants enjoy a host of services including one-on-one counseling, personal finance coaching, workshops, technical assistance & training, website design, networking events, open houses and free listing on our Community Small Business Directory.
What Capital Partners™ IS and IS NOT
Capital Partners™ IS
- A business training & loan program.
- A business support and networking program.
- For those with a clear idea of their business and know the direction in which they want to grow.
- For those who are looking to rebuild their credit.
- For those who are active, self-directed and willing to make a serious investment of time and resources in their business.
- For those willing to work in a group.
Capital Partners™ IS NOT
- For business owners looking for quick capital for en emergency or problem
- For those with little time to invest in building their business.
- For those interested in socializing (though many members enjoy exchanging ideas and contacts with other members).
- A business development program for those lacking a clear idea for their business.
- For those who do not work well with groups.
To Participate in Capital Partners™ You Must
- Be in business or have a clear business idea.
- Show two forms of government issued identification.
- Show proof of additional source of earned income.
- Show proof of 6 months residency.
To Qualify for the Loan
- You must be part of a group that you either form, or join an existing one. Group’s size can be from 3 to 8 members. All loans begin at the $500 level with the potential to reach $5,000. Members who follow the program could possibly have access to $15,000 during the course of two years.
- For any member to receive a loan, all members of your group must approve the loan. The group makes all loan decisions.
- For a member to receive any new loans, all members of the group must be up to date on their payments at the time you apply for a new loan.
- To move to a higher loan step, you must have repaid your previous loan.
Capital Partners™ Program does not decide who can receive a loan, nor do we require a credit check, business plan or collateral. Instead the Business Loan Group is entrusted to:
- Make all loan decisions after carefully reviewing each member’s business loan application.
- Take on the responsibility of supporting each member and encouraging timely and complete payments.
- Group members are not legally responsible for each other’s loan. Each borrower is legally responsible for his or her own loan.
- However, for any member to get to the next loan level, all members must be current on their loan payments.
How to get started
- Attend a Capital Partners™ Orientation.
- Submit a Business Profile
- Register and complete the Capital Partners™ six hour business training (a $75.00 fee is required at the time of registration). Must have attended an orientation session within the last six months to be eligible to register for Level One Training.
- Join a Business Loan Group.
Training Curriculum
- Level One – Business Profile, Loan Review & Approval
- Level Two – Business Evaluation & Mission, Record Keeping, Basic Cash Flow
- Level Three – Selling Value, Customer Research, Customer Research Analysis
- Level Four – Marketing & Promotion, Competitive Strategies, Marketplace Risk
- Level Five – Break Even & Profitability, Pricing to the Market, Marketing Plan, Balance and Income Statement
- Level Six – Advanced Cash Flow, Business Analysis, Business Plan (Pt.1-2), Going to the Bank
Upcoming Orientations
- Capital Partners Orientation – Tuesday, June 23rd
- Capital Partners Orientation – Saturday, June 27th
- Capital Partners Orientation (Spanish) – Monday, June 29th
- Capital Partners Orientation – Tuesday, July 14th
- Capital Partners Orientation – Tuesday, August 4th
Upcoming Training
- CP Level Two Training (English) – Saturday, June 6th
- Cottage Food Law Informational for Food-based Entrepreneurs – Monday, June 1st
Upcoming Networking, Seminars, & Events
- Open Session – Networking for Micro-entrepreneurs (Wednesdays weekly)
- “Profiles: Real People, Real Business” featuring Dr. Jacinta Mpalyenkana – Wednesday, June 24th
How do you start a group?
The Capital Partners orientations and Networking Events are good ways to network for members to form a group. If you need help we can form a group for you or plug you in an existing one. Let us know how we can help. Contact Gerardo@cfrcla.org.