Founders First Capital Partners
Founders First Capital Partners is a San Diego-based mission-driven investment platform providing non-dilutive growth capital — revenue-based financing, term loans, and hybrid loans up to $2M — to service-based B2B and B2G companies in underinvested communities, paired with advisory, events, and accelerator programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Founders First Capital Partners does
Founders First Capital Partners is a privately held, mission-driven investment platform founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Diego, California. The company provides non-dilutive growth capital — revenue-based financing, term loans, and hybrid loans of up to $2M per borrower — to service-based B2B and B2G companies generating $500K-$10M+ in annual revenue, with a deliberate focus on founders from underinvested communities (women, minorities, veterans, and businesses in low-to-moderate income areas). Repayment structures are flexible: revenue-based financing typically ranges from 2-9% of monthly cash receipts and flexes with revenue, term loans offer fixed monthly payments over 12-48 months, and hybrid loans blend both structures for transitioning founders.
Beyond capital, the firm wraps financing with Expansion Advisory (1:1 coaching, 3-year growth playbooks, KPI dashboards), Capital Activation Events in multiple metro regions, accelerator programs delivered through its nonprofit affiliate Founders First CDC (FastPath, Passport, Zebra Leadership Academy), and a Certified Innovative Supplier Program supporting suppliers pursuing MBE, WBE, DBE, and other certifications. Since inception the company has served 6,489 companies (97% from underinvested communities), completed 60+ direct investments, and mobilized over $200M in capital.
The business model combines fund management (Change Catalyst Fund II targeting $50M, with anchor institutional investors including Surdna Foundation, Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation, Sunrise Banks, and Marguerite Casey Foundation), direct lending through revenue-based financing and term loan facilities (including a $100M credit facility from Community Investment Management), and advisory fees (e.g., arranging a $130M structured facility for WattUp USA). The company distributes through a direct online application, a Preferred Partner Program of brokers and advisors, regional Capital Activation Events, and capital matchmaking with mission-driven lenders including LISC. Geographic service restrictions exclude Florida, Texas, Connecticut, and Nevada. The firm has raised an $11M Series A (2021), a $3.85M convertible debt round (Q1 2026), and is positioned within the Initiative for Inclusive Entrepreneurship coalition targeting deployment of the U.S. Treasury's $10B SSBCI allocation.
Founders First Capital Partners firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Founders First Capital Partners
- Legal name
- Founders First Capital Partners, Inc.
- Website
- https://foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Founders First Capital Partners is a San Diego-based mission-driven investment platform providing non-dilutive growth capital — revenue-based financing, term loans, and hybrid loans up to $2M — to service-based B2B and B2G companies in underinvested communities, paired with advisory, events, and accelerator programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Founders First Capital Partners industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Small Business Lending
- NAICS
- Sales Financing (52222), Other Investment Pools and Funds (5259)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159), Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153)
- akta.pro primary industry
- SME Term Loans & Growth Capital (FSAKAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Venture Growth / Recurring Revenue Credit Funds (FSANAIAG)
Keywords
Where Founders First Capital Partners is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Founders First Capital Partners business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Revenue-Based Financing (RBF): Non-dilutive financing where businesses repay a percentage of monthly revenue (typically 2-9%) until the total repayment cap is reached. Payments fluctuate based on actual cash flow - smaller during slower months, larger during stronger months. Ideal for businesses with seasonal or variable revenue.
- Term Loans: Fixed monthly payments over 12-48 months for businesses with predictable, steady revenue. Provides structured repayment schedule and upfront capital access up to $2M.
- Hybrid Loans: Combination of fixed and revenue-based repayment structures. Blends predictability of term loans with flexibility of RBF for founders transitioning from early growth to mid-market.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Monthly | Revenue-Based Financing - Payments flex with revenue |
| Subscription | Monthly | Term Loan - Fixed monthly payments |
| Hybrid | Monthly | Hybrid Loan - Blended structure |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Founders First Capital Partners product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Founders First Capital Partners provides non-dilutive growth capital to service-based B2B and B2G companies through Revenue-Based Financing, Term Loans, and Hybrid Loans of up to $2M (initial tranches up to $750K). Financing is paired with wrap-around Expansion Advisory services including 1:1 coaching, 3-year growth playbooks, and KPI dashboards, plus Capital Activation Events and the Certified Innovative Supplier Program that connects diverse-owned suppliers with mission-driven lenders.
Product overview
Founders First Capital Partners is a national, mission-driven investment platform offering a portfolio of non-dilutive financing products and advisory services. The core offerings include Revenue-Based Financing (RBF), Term Loans, and Hybrid Loans (all up to $2M), which serve as the primary capital products. These are complemented by wrap-around services including Expansion Advisory (with 1:1 coaching and 3-year growth playbooks), Capital Activation Events, and the Small Certified Supplier Innovative Finance Program (SIFP). The firm operates through its Change Catalyst Fund II ($50M fund) and provides Capital Matchmaking to connect qualified suppliers with lenders. The company also publishes quarterly Impact Reports tracking community outcomes. Together, these products create a connected ecosystem designed to help service-based B2B and B2G businesses generate $500K-$10M in revenue scale sustainably without giving up equity.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Capital Activation Experience (CAE): Regional events connecting service-based B2B and B2G founders from underinvested communities with funders, advisors, and peers for capital activation and networking.
- Certified Innovative Supplier Finance Program (SIFP)
- Expansion Advisory
- Change Catalyst Fund II
Products and services
- Revenue-Based Financing (RBF)
Quantifiable outcome
- 6,489 companies served since inception
- +11 more outcomes
Companies that use Founders First Capital Partners
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Founders First Capital Partners technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Founders First Capital Partners partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Next StreetcoreIIE partner developing scalable public-private partnership models to deploy $10B SSBCI allocation. Part of coalition bridging 'missing middle' financing gap.
- Mission Driven FinancecoreIIE partner developing financing products for socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs as part of SSBCI deployment.
- Scale LinkcoreIIE partner building ecosystem programs designed to bridge financing gap for disadvantaged entrepreneurs.
- Milken InstitutecoreInitiative for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (IIE) coalition leader. Developed scalable public-private partnership models for SSBCI deployment ahead of 2027 deadline.
- Aspen InstitutecoreIIE partner creating durable infrastructure for capital deployment and permanent framework for future public-private investment flows.
- Accelerator for AmericacoreIIE partner focused on ecosystem programs and financing products for underinvested entrepreneurs.
- Founders First CDCcoreNonprofit affiliate providing cohort-based training and ecosystem programs including FastPath, Passport, Zebra Leadership Academy, and Capital Activation Experience. Has provided accelerator programming to 5,000+ small businesses.
- ImpactAlphacoreCo-producer of Women Who Fund America documentary and podcast series. Leading digital media platform covering intersection of finance and social impact.
- The Impact Seat FoundationcoreExecutive producer of Women Who Fund America. Platform dedicated to elevating diverse leadership across impact investing through storytelling and advisory.
- 1Park9minorWomen- and minority-owned global content and experiential production studio. Partner for Women Who Fund America documentary series.
- Mission Investors ExchangeminorConference venue for production launch of Women Who Fund America in April 2026.
- TriNetminorHR services provider as ecosystem partner at Capital Activation Experience San Diego event.
- Optima OfficeminorBusiness services provider as ecosystem partner at Capital Activation Experience San Diego event.
- Sharp Prebys Innovation & Education CenterminorVenue host for 10-year anniversary Capital Activation Experience and RISE Pitch Celebration events.
- National UniversityminorBuilt synchronous, hybrid small-business programs that meet owners where they are. Career-relevant learning directly supporting capital readiness and growth.
Scale indicators20 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Founders First Capital Partners competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Capital Impact Partners: National CDFI providing loans, capital, and capacity-building services to underinvested communities. Comparable mission, similar SMB and community-focused loan products, and overlapping LP ecosystem of foundations and impact investors.
- Kiva: Global nonprofit crowdfunding 0% interest loans to underserved small business owners and individuals. Comparable mission-driven borrower base and non-dilutive structure, though funded by retail lenders rather than institutional LPs.
- Accion Opportunity Fund: Community Development Financial Institution providing small business loans (including RBF-style products) to underserved entrepreneurs in the U.S. Most direct comparable to Founders First's mission-driven, non-dilutive SMB lending model with wrap-around advisory.
- LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation): National CDFI deploying capital and advisory services to underinvested communities; listed as an active Capital Matchmaking partner of Founders First. Operates comparable small business lending, supplier programs, and community development programs across overlapping geographies.
- Mission Driven Finance: Impact-focused investment firm providing loans and capital solutions to socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs; active IIE coalition partner with Founders First. Overlapping product set and target borrowers.
- Opportunity Fund: Small business lender serving underserved entrepreneurs with loans and coaching; has partnered with Founders First on the Pittsburgh Capital Activation Experience. Directly comparable mission, product set, and target borrower profile.
- Grameen America: Microfinance nonprofit providing small loans to women entrepreneurs in underinvested communities across the U.S. Comparable target demographic and capital-plus-support model, though ticket sizes are smaller than Founders First's $750K-$2M range.
- Community Investment Management (CIM): Impact-focused asset manager that provided Founders First's $100M credit facility. Operates similar mission-driven private credit strategies focused on community development and small business lending — close strategic and operational peer.
Emerging players
- Pacific Community Ventures: Nonprofit impact investor providing growth capital and advising to small businesses in underserved communities; operates an InVest Center and small business advising program that overlaps with Founders First's Expansion Advisory offering.
- Clearco: Revenue-based financing fintech providing non-dilutive capital to founders and SMBs. Comparable RBF product structure to Founders First, though Clearco serves venture-backed and e-commerce founders rather than underinvested communities — illustrates the broader RBF competitive set.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Founders First Capital Partners social profiles
Digital presenceFounders First Capital Partners financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Founders First Capital Partners leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Founders First Capital Partners subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Founders First Capital Partners funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors12 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Founders First Capital Partners M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments4 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Founders First Capital Partners
What does Founders First Capital Partners do?
Founders First Capital Partners provides non-dilutive growth capital to service-based B2B and B2G companies through Revenue-Based Financing, Term Loans, and Hybrid Loans of up to $2M (initial tranches up to $750K). Financing is paired with wrap-around Expansion Advisory services including 1:1 coaching, 3-year growth playbooks, and KPI dashboards, plus Capital Activation Events and the Certified Innovative Supplier Program that connects diverse-owned suppliers with mission-driven lenders.
Is Founders First Capital Partners a public or private company?
Founders First Capital Partners is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Founders First Capital Partners founded?
Founders First Capital Partners was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Founders First Capital Partners based?
Founders First Capital Partners is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does Founders First Capital Partners make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Revenue-Based Financing (RBF) is the primary driver. The others are term Loans and hybrid Loans.
Who are Founders First Capital Partners's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Capital Impact Partners, Kiva, Accion Opportunity Fund, LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation), Mission Driven Finance, Opportunity Fund, Grameen America and Community Investment Management (CIM). Emerging players are Pacific Community Ventures and Clearco.
Does Founders First Capital Partners have an API?
No public API is recorded for Founders First Capital Partners.
What industry is Founders First Capital Partners in?
Founders First Capital Partners's product category is Small Business Lending. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAKAGAB, SME Term Loans & Growth Capital, with a secondary code of FSANAIAG, Venture Growth / Recurring Revenue Credit Funds. Its NAICS code is 52222 and its SIC code is 6159.