PV Grows
PVGrows is a Franklin County Community Development Corporation program providing loans of $1,000–$250,000 and technical assistance to farm and food businesses in western Massachusetts, funded through Social Impact Notes sold to investors across the Northeast.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersDeerfield, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What PV Grows does
PVGrows is a community investment fund operated as a program of the Franklin County Community Development Corporation (FCCDC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Greenfield, Massachusetts. The fund provides loans, technical and business assistance, and a peer network to farm and food businesses across the Pioneer Valley and western Massachusetts, with investor participation drawn from across the Northeast. It has financed 60+ farm and food enterprises and built a network of 500+ regional organizations since its 2008 founding.
The fund's core products are loans ranging from $1,000 to $250,000 for farm and food enterprises, business assistance grants of up to $10,000, and Social Impact Notes sold to investors at $500 to $250,000 per note with a 3-year term and 0–2% interest. In 2022 the fund launched a Social Impact Pool capped at $5M that lowered the minimum investment threshold to $500 and opened note-purchasing eligibility to investors in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and New Jersey.
The fund earns revenue primarily through the interest-rate spread between what it charges borrowers and what it pays Social Impact Note holders, supplemented by loan servicing and underwriting activity on the lending portfolio. Its customer base is bifurcated: small farm and food business borrowers on one side, and individual, foundation, and institutional investors on the other. Operating support is underwritten by grant funding and foundation partners, including the Fair Food Network and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), rather than charged to borrowers.
PV Grows firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PV Grows
- Legal name
- PVGrows Investment Fund, Inc.
- Website
- https://pvgrows.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- PVGrows is a Franklin County Community Development Corporation program providing loans of $1,000–$250,000 and technical assistance to farm and food businesses in western Massachusetts, funded through Social Impact Notes sold to investors across the Northeast.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PV Grows industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Development Lending
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)
- SIC
- Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Microenterprise Group Lending (Joint Liability) (FSAKAGAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Sustainable Private Markets (Impact PE/VC, Private Credit, Infrastructure) (FSAAALAG)
Keywords
Where PV Grows is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Deerfield
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
PV Grows business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Community Investment Notes (Social Impact Notes): PVGrows pools community investments to provide financing to farm and food businesses. Investors purchase Social Impact Notes with 3-year terms (auto-renewing) at 0-2% interest rates. The fund then lends to qualifying borrowers at competitive interest rates with flexible terms.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Borrower Loans: $1,000 to $250,000 |
| Subscription | Annual | Social Impact Pool Investment: $500 minimum to $250,000 maximum |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Business Assistance: Up to $10,000 in value |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
PV Grows product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PVGrows is a community-based investment fund that pools capital from community investors through Social Impact Notes and lends it to farm and food businesses in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts. Loans range from $1,000 to $250,000 with competitive interest rates and flexible terms, complemented by a Business Assistance Program offering up to $10,000 in business development services.
Product overview
PVGrows is a collaborative network providing financing and technical assistance to farm and food businesses in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts. The core offering is the PVGrows Investment Fund, which provides loans ranging from $1,000 to $250,000 for equipment, working capital, and startup expenses. Through the Social Impact Notes vehicle, community members can invest with a minimum of $500. The Business Assistance Program supplements financing by offering up to $10,000 in business development services to qualifying borrowers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- PVGrows Investment Fund (Borrower Loans) Flexible financing vehicle providing loans from $1,000 to $250,000 to farm and food entrepreneurs in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts for equipment, working capital, infrastructure, and startup expenses, with competitive interest rates and mission-aligned underwriting.
- Social Impact Notes Community investment vehicle allowing individuals, institutions, and foundations in MA, CT, ME, NH, NY, RI, and NJ to invest $500 to $250,000 into 3-year auto-renewing notes at 0-2% interest of the investor's choosing, funding the PVGIF loan pool.
- Business Assistance Program Business development services of up to $10,000 in value for qualifying PVGrows loan applicants, including business planning, regulatory compliance, marketing, and management assistance, with borrowers typically required to match 20% of consulting service costs.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 60 farms and food businesses have received financing through the fund
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use PV Grows
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
PV Grows technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
PV Grows partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- The Carrot ProjectcorePartner lender experienced in financing local farm and food businesses. Can provide financing to borrowers who don't directly fit PVGrows criteria. The Carrot Project also co-funded loans alongside PVGrows for borrowers like Real Pickles.
- Common CapitalcorePartner lender providing financing to farm and food businesses. Common Capital (formerly Western Massachusetts Enterprise Fund) has expertise in financing local food system enterprises and can connect borrowers to appropriate capital sources.
- Equity TrustcorePartner lender focused on community investing and farm viability. Equity Trust provides expertise in innovative financing structures including equity investments and loan programs for farms and food businesses.
- Cooperative Fund of New EnglandcorePartner lender specializing in cooperative and community-owned business financing. The Cooperative Fund of New England participated in loans including the Berkshire Food Co-op financing alongside PVGrows.
- Fair Food NetworkmajorPartnership announced in 2013 to provide business assistance up to $10,000 in value to Pioneer Valley farm and food enterprises applying for PVGrows loans. Fair Food Network connects borrowers with technical assistance including business planning, marketing, and financing package development.
- Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR)majorMDAR is referenced as a partner providing grant programs (Food Security Infrastructure Grants) that PVGrows bridges with short-term financing. MDAR also provides technical resources and connections for farm and food businesses.
- Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA)coreCISA is a key partner organization providing technical assistance, one-on-one support, and classes for farms. CISA has compiled a database of farm-savvy business consultants and is part of the PVGrows Advisory Committee.
- New England Small Farm InstitutecorePartner organization providing technical assistance and expertise in small farm development. New England Small Farm Institute is part of the PVGrows network of organizations working to support the local food system.
- Community Ventures (Michael Shuman, Jenny Kassan)majorCommunity Ventures led the research efforts to develop the community capital fund, producing reports including 'Creating a Community Investment Fund' and 'The 25% Shift.' Michael Shuman and Jenny Kassan brought expertise in community investment fund structures and federal/state legislation.
- PVGrows Advisory CommitteecoreThe Advisory Committee meets monthly to review loan applications, determine mission fit, and identify technical assistance needs. Committee includes FCCDC and partner organizations. Directors include John Waite (President), Margaret Christie, Rochelle Bellin, and Nancy Hanson.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
PV Grows competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Kiva: Global crowdfunding platform offering 0% interest microloans to small businesses and entrepreneurs. Comparable low-interest mission-driven lending to underserved borrowers, though Kiva operates digitally rather than regionally.
- Farm Credit East: Largest agricultural lender in the Northeast serving farm and food businesses with traditional credit products. Comparable customer base but PVGrows fills the gap for borrowers who do not qualify for Farm Credit products.
- Slow Money: National movement and network of local investment clubs channeling capital to local food systems. Comparable to PVGrows at a movement-level rather than direct competitor since PVGrows operates at a regional fund level.
Direct peers
- Equity Trust: Nonprofit focused on community investing and farm viability through innovative financing structures. Direct peer given overlapping mission and partner relationship with PVGrows.
- Common Capital: Western Massachusetts CDFI (formerly Western Massachusetts Enterprise Fund) providing financing to small businesses and food enterprises. Direct peer given shared Pioneer Valley territory and partnership relationship with PVGrows.
- The Carrot Project: A New England nonprofit that provides financing and business assistance to small and mid-sized farm and food businesses. Direct peer given shared mission, co-lending partnerships with PVGrows, and overlapping geographic footprint.
- Cooperative Fund of New England: Community loan fund specializing in cooperative and community-owned businesses across New England. Direct peer given similar mission-driven lending model and active co-lending partnership with PVGrows.
Emerging players
- RSF Social Finance: Nonprofit financial services organization providing social investment opportunities including loans to food and agriculture enterprises. Comparable impact investment thesis though at different scale and geographic focus.
Regional players
- Coastal Enterprises Inc (CEI): Maine-based CDFI providing financing and business assistance to rural and food businesses in northern New England. Comparable as a CDFI peer serving food systems in a different New England geography than PVGrows.
- Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC): Massachusetts state-chartered economic development finance institution providing loans to small businesses. Comparable regional mission focus on underserved borrowers but at statewide rather than Pioneer Valley scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Customer concentration
PV Grows social profiles
Digital presencePV Grows financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PV Grows leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
PV Grows funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PV Grows 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 PV Grows
What does PV Grows do?
PVGrows is a community-based investment fund that pools capital from community investors through Social Impact Notes and lends it to farm and food businesses in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts. Loans range from $1,000 to $250,000 with competitive interest rates and flexible terms, complemented by a Business Assistance Program offering up to $10,000 in business development services.
Is PV Grows a public or private company?
PV Grows is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was PV Grows founded?
PV Grows was founded in 2009. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is PV Grows based?
PV Grows is headquartered in Deerfield, United States, in the North America region.
How does PV Grows make money?
One revenue line is on record: community Investment Notes (Social Impact Notes).
Who are PV Grows's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Kiva, Farm Credit East and Slow Money. Direct peers are Equity Trust, Common Capital, The Carrot Project and Cooperative Fund of New England. RSF Social Finance is listed as an emerging player. Regional players are Coastal Enterprises Inc (CEI) and Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC).
Does PV Grows have an API?
No public API is recorded for PV Grows.
What industry is PV Grows in?
PV Grows's product category is Community Development Lending. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAKAGAH, Microenterprise Group Lending (Joint Liability), with a secondary code of FSAAALAG, Sustainable Private Markets (Impact PE/VC, Private Credit, Infrastructure). Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 6153.