Freedom Equity

What Freedom Equity does

Freedom Equity Inc. is a federally certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Ohio-incorporated nonprofit, established in 2021 and headquartered at 341 S Third St, Suite 301, Columbus, Ohio. The organization addresses a documented capital gap for Black-owned businesses in Central Ohio — particularly in Franklin County and the City of Columbus — by combining alternative micro-lending with technical assistance and capacity-building support. It operates with a small team of approximately six staff and is governed by a board that includes Stephanie Hightower, Sean Grant, Mark Hatcher, Letha Pugh, and Danielle Sydnor.

The product surface consists of Freedom Equity Micro Loans (up to $50,000 at 4.00%-6.75% interest for terms up to 60 months, with a $100 application fee and 1% origination fee, minimum credit score 550, and individual net worth under $1.5M) supported by a web-based Lender Portal and Business Services team. The organization also administers two externally funded programs: the Accelerate Her Micro Loan program for Black women-owned businesses (funded by the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, hosted by the Columbus Urban League) and the CDFI Loan Participation Program for the Ohio Department of Development. Referral partnerships with Lendistry and ROK Financial route borrowers with needs above $50,000 to larger lenders.

Freedom Equity's revenue mechanics mix loan interest and origination/application fees with contributions and grants from institutional funders. The organization was launched by the Franklin County Business Growth and Equity Alliance (Franklin County, Columbus Urban League, One Columbus) and has subsequently secured funding from the KeyBank Foundation. It holds the 2026 Candid Gold Seal of Transparency and is a member of multiple national and state CDFI networks. The go-to-market is community-led: prospective borrowers attend an Info Session (virtual or in-person) before being invited to the Lender Portal, and the funnel is augmented by partner referrals and direct outreach via social, email, and community events.

Name

Freedom Equity

Legal name

Freedom Equity Inc.

Website

https://freedomequity.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Freedom Equity is a federally certified CDFI nonprofit in Columbus, Ohio that provides micro-loans (up to $50,000) and business-development services to Black-owned businesses in Central Ohio, with two externally funded loan programs administered on behalf of Columbus Urban League and the Ohio Department of Development.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Lending

NAICS

Savings Institutions and Other Depository Credit Intermediation (52218), Sales Financing (52222)

SIC

Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111), Personal Credit Institutions (6141)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYFSAKALAJ

Secured Microloans (Community/Nonprofit, Collateralized)

Financial & Insurance/Lending & Consumer Finance/Pawn Loans & Collateral-Based Consumer Lending

SECONDARYFSABAEAC

Community Development Credit Unions (CDCUs)

Financial & Insurance/Banking (Commerical, Retail & Consumer)/Community & Cooperative Banking (Credit Unions, Mutuals)

Keywords

• Community development lending
• Micro business loans
• CDFI financial services
• Small business financing
• Alternative lending

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

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. Loan Interest: Freedom Equity generates revenue through interest charged on loans, with rates ranging from 4.00% to 6.75% for borrowers meeting their credit and net worth requirements.
2. Application and Origination Fees: The company charges a $100 Application Fee plus 1% Origination Fee for all applicants. Fee schedules are provided for review prior to loan closing.
3. Contributions and Grants: Individual or corporate tax-deductible contributions are passed on to small businesses via loans and services. The organization also accepts grants or private equity loans for loan capital and operations support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Freedom Equity Inc. is a federally certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides micro loans up to $50,000 at approximately 5% interest (rates ranging 4.00%–6.75%) to Black-owned businesses in Central Ohio. Beyond capital, the organization delivers technical assistance and capacity-building services through its Business Services team, along with administering partner loan programs such as Accelerate Her (Columbus Urban League) and the CDFI Loan Participation Program (Ohio Department of Development).

Product overview

Freedom Equity is a federally certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that operates as a single-platform alternative lending organization focused on closing the capital gap for Black-owned businesses in Central Ohio. The core offering consists of Freedom Equity Micro Loans (up to $50,000 at 5% interest for new and existing businesses), supplemented by two specialized loan programs: Accelerate Her Micro Loans (administered for the Columbus Urban League's Accelerate Her initiative supporting Black women-owned businesses) and the CDFI Loan Participation Program (administered for the Ohio Department of Development). Beyond lending, the organization provides Business Services including group sessions, one-on-one assistance, and a Lender Portal for loan applications. The portfolio is rounded out by referral partnerships with Lendistry and ROK Financial for financing needs exceeding Freedom Equity's micro-loan capacity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Accelerate Her Micro Loans: A training program hosted by the Columbus Urban League designed to accelerate the growth of established Black women-owned businesses. Freedom Equity serves as the administrator of this loan program, which is funded by the JPMorgan Chase Foundation.
• Community Development Financial Institution Loan Participation Program (CDFI LPP)
• Freedom Equity Micro Loans

Products and services

• Freedom Equity Micro Loans Micro financing loans up to $50,000 for five years at 5% interest, designed to increase cash flow and position businesses for expansion and debt consolidation. Available to new and existing businesses with a minimum credit score of 550 and individual net worth under $1.5 million.
• Accelerate Her Micro Loans A training and loan program administered by Freedom Equity for the Columbus Urban League's Accelerate Her initiative, designed to accelerate the growth of established Black women-owned businesses by creating a network of support, contract opportunities, and improved capital access. Funded by the JPMorgan Chase Foundation.
• CDFI Loan Participation Program (CDFI LPP) A loan participation program administered by Freedom Equity for the Ohio Department of Development. Funds can be used for equipment, inventory, payroll, real estate purchases, construction, renovation, marketing, market research, franchising, technology, and debt consolidation.
• Business Services Business development support including group sessions, one-on-one assistance, and connections to additional services and providers to help entrepreneurs prepare for and navigate the lending process.

Quantifiable outcome

• Loans disbursed within 3-5 business days of approval
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CreditHub AccesscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 November 2025Freedom Equity and CreditHub Access partnered to improve credit access for small business owners in Ohio. The initiative includes tools for credit improvement, data protection, financial education, and funding options, with plans to expand community engagement.
• LendistryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLendistry is a tech-enabled small business lender providing quick and efficient access to financial solutions for undercapitalized entrepreneurs. Through this relationship, Freedom Equity customers can access affordable financing of $25,000 or more. Business qualifications include 650 credit score or above and greater than two years in business.
• ROK FinancialminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFreedom Equity partnered with ROK Financial to offer lines of credit, term loans, equipment financing and more. With connections to over 75+ lenders, customers can compare options to get highest offers, best rates, and favorable terms. Minimum qualifications include 6 months in business and business checking account.
• Columbus Urban LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFreedom Equity is the administrator of the Accelerate Her Loan program, a training program hosted by the Columbus Urban League designed to accelerate the growth of established Black women-owned businesses by creating a network of support necessary to scale their businesses, secure contracts, and improve access to capital.
• Ohio Department of DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFreedom Equity is an administrator of the CDFI Loan Participation Program (CDFI LPP) for the Ohio Department of Development. Funds can be used for equipment, inventory, payroll, real estate purchases, construction, renovation, marketing, market research, franchising, technology, debt consolidation, and more.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• LiftFund: LiftFund is a nonprofit CDFI providing small business loans and business support services to minority, women, and low-income entrepreneurs primarily in the U.S. South. Comparable CDFI model and target borrower segments.
• Lendistry: Lendistry is a federally certified CDFI and SBA Community Advantage lender that provides small business loans and grants to underbanked entrepreneurs, including minority-owned businesses. Direct referral partner of Freedom Equity for borrowers exceeding $50K.
• Hope Credit Union: Hope Credit Union is a CDFI credit union serving underserved communities across the Deep South with banking, lending, and financial services. Its community development focus and target on marginalized populations is comparable to Freedom Equity's mission.
• DreamSpring: DreamSpring is a CDFI providing small business loans and training to underserved entrepreneurs, including women and people of color, across the western and central U.S. Its small-dollar loan products and wraparound services closely mirror Freedom Equity's model.
• Kiva: Kiva is a nonprofit crowdfunded microfinance platform offering 0% interest loans to underserved small business owners. Its micro-loan product model and outreach to excluded entrepreneurs mirror Freedom Equity's microloan product up to $50K.
• Accion Opportunity Fund: Accion Opportunity Fund is a CDFI providing small business loans, coaching, and network access to underrepresented small business owners across the U.S. Its mission, products, and target segments closely overlap with Freedom Equity's.
• TruFund Financial Services: TruFund is a CDFI offering small business loans and capacity-building services to minority- and women-owned businesses in underserved communities. Its community development lending focus and target demographics parallel Freedom Equity's mission.
• ROK Financial: ROK Financial is a tech-enabled small business lending marketplace connecting borrowers to 75+ lenders. Listed as a referral partner of Freedom Equity for borrowers seeking financing beyond the $50K microloan limit.
• Grameen America: Grameen America is a nonprofit microfinance organization providing small business loans to low-income women entrepreneurs in the U.S. Its microloan model and community-based support structure closely mirror Freedom Equity's approach.

Emerging players

• National Community Investment Fund (NCIF): NCIF invests in CDFIs and minority depository institutions to expand lending in distressed communities. As a capital intermediary to mission-aligned lenders like Freedom Equity, it operates in the same ecosystem and benefits from CDFI growth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Freedomequityinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/freedom-equity-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/freedomequityinc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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 Freedom Equity