UBIZ Venture Capital

What UBIZ Venture Capital does

UBIZ Venture Capital is a Cleveland-based nonprofit community development financial institution (CDFI) founded in 2016 and operating under the umbrella of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland. Its core function is providing small business loans (3–5 year terms for working capital, receivables, equipment, and improvements) and equity funding to African American and other disadvantaged small businesses in Northeast Ohio that struggle to access capital from traditional lenders. The organization also delivers intensive pre-loan counseling, technical assistance, and accelerator programming through the Urban League's Entrepreneurship Center and partner organizations.

The company's product surface comprises three core programs: a Small Business Loan Program, the Robinson Venture Studio equity funding track (up to $100,000 per company, delivered via an 8-week accelerator and 3-month residency), and Training/Accelerator Programs. These are supplemented by dedicated loan vehicles — the UBIZ Access Fund II (capitalized by FirstEnergy) and the EDA Revolving Loan Fund — plus the Business Growth Institute (BGI), a partnership with JPMorgan Chase and Key Bank focused on developing Black-owned companies in high-growth sectors. The underlying technology stack is non-proprietary: a Squarespace website, a Decision Lender loan application platform, and Microsoft Forms for cohort intake.

UBIZ generates revenue through interest and principal repayment on loans and through equity participation in portfolio companies, while program operations are sustained by corporate and public-sector grants. It serves a tightly defined geographic footprint (Cuyahoga, Summit, Lake, and Lorain counties in Ohio) and a narrow customer segment (underserved minority-owned SMBs and early-stage startups with $5M–$25M five-year revenue potential). The 5-person core team relies heavily on its affiliation with the Urban League of Greater Cleveland and on a network of community, banking, and government partners for deal flow, capital, and operational support.

Name

UBIZ Venture Capital

Legal name

UBIZ Venture Capital

Website

https://ubiz.biz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

UBIZ Venture Capital is a Cleveland-based nonprofit CDFI, affiliated with the Urban League of Greater Cleveland, that provides small business loans, equity funding, and accelerator programming to African American and other disadvantaged small businesses in Northeast Ohio.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Finance

NAICS

All Other Financial Investment Activities (52399)

SIC

Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153), Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)

akta.pro primary industry

SME Term Loans & Growth Capital (FSAKAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Venture Growth / Recurring Revenue Credit Funds (FSANAIAG), Corporate Strategic Real Assets & Infrastructure Venture Investing (FSANAHAN)

Keywords

• Small business lending
• Venture capital funding
• Minority business financing
• Business accelerator programs
• Community development finance

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Small Business Loans: UBIZ provides loans to African American and minority-owned businesses with repayment terms of 3-5 years. Eligible uses include working capital, receivables or contract financing, equipment & machinery, and tenant & site improvements. Revenue generated through interest and principal repayment on loans.
2. Equity Investment - Robinson Venture Studio: UBIZ provides equity investments of up to $100,000 to qualifying startups through the Robinson Venture Studio. Returns generated through equity stakes in portfolio companies. The studio aims to make 2-3 investments per year.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

UBIZ Venture Capital provides small business loans (3-5 year repayment terms) and equity investments of up to $100,000 through its Robinson Venture Studio to African American and other disadvantaged small businesses in Northeast Ohio. It complements its capital products with pre-loan counseling, technical assistance, mentorship, and an 8-week cohort-based accelerator program. The organization operates as the small business lending and investment arm of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland.

Product overview

UBIZ Venture Capital operates as a multi-product financial services organization offering three core programs for underserved and disadvantaged small businesses: (1) the Small Business Loan Program providing 3-5 year term loans for working capital, equipment, and improvements; (2) the Robinson Venture Studio equity funding and accelerator program offering up to $100,000 investment with mentorship support; and (3) Accelerator/Training Programs delivering pre-loan counseling and technical assistance. These programs are supplemented by specialized loan funds including UBIZ Access Fund II and the EDA Revolving Loan Fund, all targeting African American and minority-owned businesses in Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UBIZ Access Fund II: Loan fund established with FirstEnergy contribution to provide loans to qualifying minority-owned small businesses in Northeast Ohio.
• Robinson Venture Studio
• Business Growth Institute (BGI)

Products and services

• Small Business Loan Program Provides flexible term loans (3-5 year repayment) to African American and minority-owned small businesses with growth potential that have difficulty securing capital from traditional lenders. Eligible uses include working capital, receivables or contract financing, equipment and machinery, and tenant and site improvements. Minimum requirements include 12 months in business, revenue generation, and tax compliance.
• Robinson Venture Studio Equity funding and accelerator program for high-potential startups preparing for venture capital investment. Includes an 8-week cohort acceleration program selecting 10 companies, a founder pitch showcase, and a 3-month residency for 3 selected companies with equity investments of up to $100,000 per company. Aims to make 2-3 investments per year in companies projected to reach $5M-$25M annual revenue within five years.
• Accelerator and Training Programs Pre-loan counseling, technical assistance, mentorship, and training programs for small business owners. Delivered through the Urban League of Greater Cleveland's Entrepreneurship Center and partner organizations (e.g., SBDC) to help entrepreneurs manage operations and prepare for capital deployment.
• Business Growth Institute (BGI) Initiative to support Black-owned businesses and develop new Black-owned companies in high-growth sectors. Launched in partnership with the Urban League of Greater Cleveland and funded by JPMorgan Chase ($500,000) and Key Bank ($100,000).

Quantifiable outcome

• 300 jobs created, 300 jobs retained, $3 million in private investment projected from EDA grant

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Urban League of Greater ClevelandflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUBIZ Venture Capital is affiliated with the Urban League of Greater Cleveland, a 501(c)(3) organization. UBIZ operates as the small business lending program under the Urban League's umbrella, providing counseling, technical assistance, and loans to African American and minority-owned businesses.
• Small Business Development Center (SBDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBDC is a community partner providing business development resources and support to UBIZ programs.
• Cuyahoga CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCuyahoga County is a community partner supporting UBIZ's initiatives for small business growth in the region.
• Entrepreneurship CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Urban League's Entrepreneurship Center provides pre-loan counseling and technical assistance to minority and disadvantaged businesses through UBIZ's service delivery model.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• SoLo Funds: Peer-to-peer lending platform serving underserved consumers and small businesses — comparable on alternative small-dollar credit access, though broader in segment than UBIZ's minority-focused lending.
• Village Capital: Impact-focused venture fund and accelerator supporting early-stage entrepreneurs in underserved communities; comparable to UBIZ's Robinson Venture Studio as a cohort-driven accelerator with investment follow-on.

Direct peers

• TruFund Financial Services: National nonprofit CDFI providing loans and technical assistance to small businesses in low-wealth communities, with a strong focus on minority-owned and underserved businesses — the closest direct comparable to UBIZ's lending program.
• LiftFund: Nonprofit small business lender offering term loans and coaching to minority and underserved entrepreneurs across multiple states — operates the same small-business lending plus technical assistance model as UBIZ.
• Accion (now DreamSpring): Mission-driven small business lender providing loans and advisory to entrepreneurs historically excluded from traditional banking, including minority-owned businesses. Directly comparable to UBIZ's SME lending and counseling model.
• Kiva: Crowdfunded zero-interest small business loan platform serving financially excluded and minority entrepreneurs globally — directly comparable as an alternative-financing channel for underserved borrowers.
• Harlem Capital Partners: Early-stage VC fund investing in companies led by underrepresented founders, including minority entrepreneurs — directly comparable to UBIZ's Robinson Venture Studio equity program targeting minority-led, high-growth startups.
• Backstage Capital: VC fund and accelerator investing in startups led by underrepresented founders (women, people of color, LGBT) — closely comparable to UBIZ's Robinson Venture Studio cohort-based accelerator + equity model.

Regional players

• Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI): Ohio-based CDFI providing small business loans, training, and incubation to underserved entrepreneurs — operates the same lending-plus-coaching model in the same state as UBIZ, making it a strong regional peer.

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global accelerator operating cohort-based programs with seed investment in startups. Lacks UBIZ's minority-business focus but is the dominant comparable on the accelerator-and-early-stage-investment structure of Robinson Venture Studio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ubizvc
• Facebookfacebook.com/UBIZVC

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UBIZ Venture Capital