WomenVenture
WomenVenture is a Minneapolis–St. Paul-based nonprofit CDFI and SBA-designated Women's Business Center that provides training, small business loans (up to $100,000), consulting, and child care business services to women entrepreneurs across Minnesota, western Wisconsin, and parts of North Dakota.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1978
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What WomenVenture does
WomenVenture is a Minneapolis–St. Paul-based nonprofit founded in 1978 (in its current form via a 1989 merger of CHART and WEDCO) that operates as a federally certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and an SBA-designated Women's Business Center (WBC). Its core functional offering is a four-pillar platform-plus-services model: (1) cohort-based training programs (Getting Ready, Small Business Essentials, Launched & Growing, Startup Toolkit, and specialized workshops) delivered both in-person in the Twin Cities and virtually across the broader service area; (2) small business lending up to $100,000 via traditional term loans and revolving lines of credit, underwritten on business profitability rather than credit scores; (3) business consulting at $75/hour for paying clients and free for sponsored clients (loan clients, Ramsey County, Hennepin County, East St. Paul); and (4) child care business services (YourVenture program, $7,500 grants via MN DEED, on-demand courses). The technology layer is intentionally light: Absorb LMS for self-paced content, a third-party loan servicing portal (myloanpanel.com), and Zoom for virtual delivery. There is no proprietary AI or fintech stack; the competitive advantage rests on human-led holistic underwriting and a 40+ year community network.
The business model is hybrid nonprofit: it does not generate profit for shareholders, and the majority of services are delivered free or below cost as part of the mission. Operating revenue (not publicly disclosed) is a blend of loan interest income, modest paid consulting fees, corporate sponsorships, individual donations, and government grants from the CDFI Fund, SBA, Minnesota DEED, and county-level programs (Ramsey County Re-Imagination, Elevate Hennepin). WomenVenture serves roughly 1,100 entrepreneurs annually, has supported over 11,000 hours of training and consulting in the last fiscal year, and distributed $2.1M in loans in the same period. The stated mission objective is to direct at least 60% of loans to low- to moderate-income business owners. The primary customer segment is women entrepreneurs across Minnesota, western Wisconsin, and parts of North Dakota, with vertical specialization in child care businesses through the YourVenture and MN DEED grant pipeline. Geographic expansion is delivered primarily through virtual channels rather than new physical offices, and the organization maintains a single headquarters within The Coven co-working space at the Blair Arcade in St. Paul.
WomenVenture firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- WomenVenture
- Legal name
- WomenVenture
- Website
- https://womenventure.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1978
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- WomenVenture is a Minneapolis–St. Paul-based nonprofit CDFI and SBA-designated Women's Business Center that provides training, small business loans (up to $100,000), consulting, and child care business services to women entrepreneurs across Minnesota, western Wisconsin, and parts of North Dakota.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
WomenVenture industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Development Financial Services
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)
Keywords
Where WomenVenture is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
WomenVenture business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Loan Interest Income: WomenVenture provides small business loans up to $100,000, generating revenue through loan origination fees and interest payments. The organization provides both traditional term loans and revolving lines of credit to entrepreneurs.
- Training and Consulting Services: Fee-for-service business consulting at $75/hour for paid consulting services. Free webinars and training programs are provided as part of mission-driven activities.
- Grants and Donations: As a nonprofit organization, WomenVenture receives grant funding from government agencies (SBA, CDFI Fund, Minnesota DEED) and charitable donations to support operations and programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Consulting Services |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Paid Business Consulting |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Child Care Business Grants |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
WomenVenture product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WomenVenture is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and SBA-designated Women's Business Center that provides women entrepreneurs with access to small business loans (up to $100,000), business training programs, one-on-one consulting, mentorship, and grants. The organization operates as a holistic ecosystem combining lending, training, and consulting services primarily across Minnesota, western Wisconsin, and parts of North Dakota.
Product overview
WomenVenture is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and SBA-designated Women's Business Center offering a comprehensive suite of programs for entrepreneurs. The organization operates a platform-plus-services model comprising four core pillars: (1) Training programs including Getting Ready, Small Business Essentials, Launched & Growing, Startup Toolkit, and Workshops & Specialized Trainings; (2) Lending products including Small Business Loans (up to $100,000), Traditional Term Loans, and Revolving Lines of Credit; (3) Child Care Business Services including YourVenture, Child Care Business Grants, and On Demand courses; and (4) Business Consulting with tailored support for planning, financial literacy, and capital access. Additional offerings include MN PROMISE Act Grant support, Business Stabilization Resources, and the annual Women Mean Business event. The organization serves clients across Minnesota, western Wisconsin, and parts of North Dakota, with a goal of directing at least 60% of loans to low- to moderate-income business owners.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Getting Ready
Quantifiable outcome
- 1,100 entrepreneurs supported and $2.1M in loans distributed in last fiscal year
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use WomenVenture
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
WomenVenture technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
WomenVenture partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED)corePartnership with Minnesota DEED for child care business grants ($7,500 per grant) and other economic development initiatives. WomenVenture also partners with DEED for various programs supporting small business development across Minnesota.
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)coreSBA-designated Women's Business Center, approved to offer SBA loan products under SBA's Microloan Program. One of only three WBCs in Minnesota and part of a network of nearly 100 educational centers nationwide.
- The Coven (Blair Arcade)minorWomenVenture is located within The Coven co-working space at the Blair Arcade in St. Paul, MN. This provides shared office facilities and community for the organization.
- Corporate PartnerscoreCorporate sponsors invest in and engage with the WomenVenture entrepreneurial community year-round. Includes corporate partnerships for the annual Women Mean Business event and ongoing program support.
- Volunteer Mentors and Expert AdvisorscoreVolunteers from business and professional backgrounds support WomenVenture's training programs as advisors and mentors in areas including accounting, business law, finance, HR, marketing, sales, operations, and QuickBooks training.
- Ramsey County Re-Imagination ProgramcoreProvides 20 hours of free consulting for any business that lives or has a business in Ramsey County through the Ramsey County Re-Imagination initiative.
- Elevate HennepincoreBusinesses registered in Hennepin County can receive up to 25 hours of free consulting through the Elevate Hennepin program in partnership with WomenVenture.
- Minnesota CDFIs and Community FoundationscoreWomenVenture is establishing an emergency rapid response fund in partnership with other Minnesota CDFIs and community foundations to assist small businesses affected by federal immigration enforcement operations.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
WomenVenture competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- DreamSpring: A nonprofit CDFI providing small business loans (typically under $100K) and training to underserved entrepreneurs, including women and minority-owned businesses. Highly comparable microlending-plus-coaching operating model across multiple U.S. states.
- Grameen America: A nonprofit microfinance organization providing small business loans and training to women entrepreneurs in the U.S., directly mirroring WomenVenture's microlending-plus-empowerment model. Operates at much larger scale across many cities but serves the same demographic with similar loan size.
- Justine PETERSEN: A St. Louis-based CDFI offering small business loans, coaching, and training to underserved entrepreneurs. Comparable integrated model pairing microloans with technical assistance for women and minority business owners.
- Women's Economic Ventures (WEV): California-based nonprofit providing business training, loans, and consulting to entrepreneurs, with a focus on women. Closely comparable integrated training-plus-lending model targeting similar client segments.
- LiftFund: A nonprofit CDFI providing small business loans and business development services to underserved entrepreneurs, including women, minorities, and veterans. Operates a similar lending-plus-training model across the southern U.S.
Others
- Tory Burch Foundation: Foundation providing programs, capital, and resources to women entrepreneurs in the U.S., including loans and mentorship. Operates in the same women-entrepreneur support ecosystem but as a foundation rather than a direct CDFI lender.
Regional players
- Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC): A Wisconsin-based CDFI and SBA Microlender offering business loans, training, and consulting to women and underserved entrepreneurs. Closely comparable operating model in a neighboring Midwest geography, including public-fund partnerships.
Broad incumbents
- Accion: A global nonprofit focused on financial inclusion for small business owners, offering both capital and advisory services. Broader geographic and product scope than WomenVenture, but operates in the same microlending-plus-empowerment category.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
WomenVenture social profiles
Digital presenceWomenVenture financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WomenVenture leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
WomenVenture funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WomenVenture M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about WomenVenture
What does WomenVenture do?
WomenVenture is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and SBA-designated Women's Business Center that provides women entrepreneurs with access to small business loans (up to $100,000), business training programs, one-on-one consulting, mentorship, and grants. The organization operates as a holistic ecosystem combining lending, training, and consulting services primarily across Minnesota, western Wisconsin, and parts of North Dakota.
Is WomenVenture a public or private company?
WomenVenture is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was WomenVenture founded?
WomenVenture was founded in 1978. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is WomenVenture based?
WomenVenture is headquartered in Minneapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does WomenVenture make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Loan Interest Income is the primary driver. The others are training and Consulting Services and grants and Donations.
Who are WomenVenture's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are DreamSpring, Grameen America, Justine PETERSEN, Women's Economic Ventures (WEV) and LiftFund. Tory Burch Foundation is listed as an others. Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) is listed as a regional player. Accion is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does WomenVenture have an API?
No public API is recorded for WomenVenture.
What industry is WomenVenture in?
WomenVenture's product category is Community Development Financial Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAFAK, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education. Its NAICS code is 611430 and its SIC code is 8200.