build fund
Build Fund is a nonprofit CDFI loan fund operated by Intend Indiana that provides flexible commercial loans, construction financing, and technical assistance to small businesses — particularly minority-, women-, veteran-, and disabled-owned businesses — in underserved Central Indiana communities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersIndianapolis, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What build fund does
Build Fund is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) loan fund operated by Intend Indiana, founded in 2015 and headquartered at 1704 Bellefontaine St., Indianapolis, IN. It provides flexible, affordable financing to small businesses in Central Indiana for launching, expanding, purchasing, or rehabilitating buildings, with explicit programmatic emphasis on minority-, women-, veteran-, and disabled-owned businesses in underserved communities. The organization is structured as a revolving loan fund: as borrowers repay, capital is reinvested into new loans, supporting a continuous pipeline of emerging businesses.
The product portfolio centers on commercial small business loans and includes the BuildSmart construction loan program (12-month terms, rates starting at 5%, up to 75% LTV) for developers and contractors building affordable owner-occupied housing; the Real Estate Assistance Fund, a grant program providing up to $20,000 to Black-owned businesses for commercial property acquisition or improvement (funded by Cummins CARE and delivered with LISC Indianapolis); the EmpowerHER Cohort, a scholarship-based technical assistance program for women entrepreneurs launching April 2026 with The Woman Print Foundation; and a Financial Literacy Class as an educational add-on. Wrap-around business support services — including site selection, environmental assessment, project management, and government liaison — are delivered through a curated partner network (Bankable, Business Ownership Initiative, ISBDC, LISC Indy, NeighborWorks, Opportunity Finance Network, Edna Martin Christian Center).
Build Fund generates revenue primarily through interest income on its commercial loan portfolio, with secondary income from application fees and BuildSmart loan interest; general loan pricing is not publicly disclosed. It operates through a 10-step sales-led loan process anchored by direct consultation, Loan Review Committee review, and quarterly reporting post-closing. The leadership team comprises six individuals (CEO, President, CFO, Director of Build Fund, Business Lending and Development Specialist, and Trent Garrett Fellow), reflecting a small operational footprint. Revenue figures, loan portfolio size, and headcount trends are not publicly disclosed, and Build Fund is not a technology company — it does not operate proprietary AI/ML systems or platform software, with all technology listed as "Not applicable" in the input data.
build fund firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- build fund
- Legal name
- Build Fund
- Website
- https://buildfund.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Build Fund is a nonprofit CDFI loan fund operated by Intend Indiana that provides flexible commercial loans, construction financing, and technical assistance to small businesses — particularly minority-, women-, veteran-, and disabled-owned businesses — in underserved Central Indiana communities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
build fund industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Development Lending
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community Development & Affordable Housing Funds (FSANAJAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Impact Investing & Social Finance (Funds, CDFIs, Microfinance) (BPAGALAA), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)
Keywords
Where build fund is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Indianapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
build fund business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Loan Interest Income: Build Fund generates revenue through interest charged on commercial loans to small businesses. Loans are provided to help businesses launch, expand, purchase or rehabilitate buildings. Funds revolve back into new loans as borrowers repay.
- Application Fees: A small application fee may be charged during the application process.
- BuildSmart Loan Program: Construction and rehabilitation loans for developers and contractors with competitive rates starting at 5%, 12-month terms, up to 75% LTV, with flat fees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | BuildSmart Construction Loans - Competitive rates starting at 5% |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
build fund product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Build Fund is a CDFI loan fund that provides small business commercial loans to launch, expand, or rehabilitate businesses and buildings in Central Indiana. It also offers a specialized construction loan program (BuildSmart) for developers and contractors, a grant program (Real Estate Assistance Fund) for Black-owned businesses, and a women-entrepreneurs cohort (EmpowerHER). All offerings are underwritten through a structured 10-step process and accompanied by wrap-around services from partner organizations.
Product overview
The Build Fund is a unified loan fund product portfolio operated by Intend Indiana, offering small business commercial loans as its core offering. The portfolio includes BuildSmart as a specialized housing construction loan program, the Real Estate Assistance Fund as an equity-focused grant program for Black-owned businesses, Financial Literacy Class as an educational add-on, and the EmpowerHER Cohort as a business development program for women entrepreneurs. Business Support Services round out the offering with site selection, project management, and government liaison assistance.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BuildSmart: A construction loan program designed to meet the needs of developers and contractors engaged in construction, renovation, and rehabilitation of owner-occupied housing in Central Indiana. Features 12-month loan terms, competitive rates starting at 5%, and up to 75% Loan-to-Value ratio.
- Real Estate Assistance Fund
- EmpowerHER Cohort
Products and services
- Build Fund Commercial Loans Core commercial lending product offering flexible, affordable financing for small businesses to launch, expand, purchase or rehabilitate buildings, and create jobs in Central Indiana. Loans are repaid and the funds revolve back into new loans to support emerging businesses.
- BuildSmart Construction Loan Program Specialized loan program for developers and contractors engaged in construction, renovation, and rehabilitation of quality, accessible owner-occupied housing in Central Indiana, with 12-month loan terms (up to 90 days after closing, max 15-month note maturity), competitive rates starting at 5%, up to 75% Loan-to-Value, interest-only payments available, flat fees, and special pricing incentives for affordable housing, women/minority/disabled/veteran-owned businesses, Renew Land Bank property purchasers, and qualifying neighborhoods.
- Real Estate Assistance Fund for Black-Owned Businesses Grant program providing up to $20,000 for Black-owned businesses in Indianapolis to purchase commercial property or fund capital improvements, with priority given to businesses in specific underserved zip codes and a one-year free Indy Black Chamber of Commerce membership (up to $200) for approved applicants.
- EmpowerHER Cohort Scholarship-based technical assistance and business development cohort designed for aspiring and early-stage women entrepreneurs, featuring hands-on coaching, business education, legal and financial mentorship, and structured goal tracking. Co-presented with The Woman Print Foundation.
Quantifiable outcome
- BuildSmart offers competitive rates starting at 5% with up to 75% LTV
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use build fund
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
build fund technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
build fund partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Intend IndianacoreIntend Indiana operates the Build Fund as its small business loan fund. Intend Indiana is a mission-driven organization committed to supporting economic development in Indiana. The Build Fund is explicitly described as a loan fund operated by Intend Indiana.
- Opportunity Finance NetworkcoreNational network of community development financial institutions. Build Fund partners with OFN as part of its CDFI ecosystem.
- NeighborWorkscoreNeighborWorks is a chartered member network focused on community development. Build Fund displays NeighborWorks Chartered Member logo as a partner/funder.
- LISC IndianapoliscoreLocal Initiatives Support Corporation Indianapolis partners with Build Fund on the Real Estate Assistance Fund for Black-Owned Businesses, providing up to $20,000 grants funded by Cummins CARE initiative.
- Sapphire StrategyminorMarketing partner helping with communications and outreach.
- Edna Martin Christian CenterminorCommunity partner organization supporting economic development in Indianapolis.
- BankablecorePartner organization providing wrap-around services to Build Fund borrowers. One of the Indianapolis Small Business CDFI Collaboration partners for the Real Estate Assistance Fund.
- Business Ownership Initiative (BOI)corePartner organization under the Indy Chamber providing wrap-around services to Build Fund borrowers. One of the CDFI Collaboration partners for the Real Estate Assistance Fund.
- Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC)coreState-wide small business development resource providing support services to Build Fund borrowers.
- Be NimbleminorPartner organization providing wrap-around services to Build Fund borrowers.
- The Woman Print FoundationcoreCo-presenter of the EmpowerHER Cohort program - a scholarship-based technical assistance and business development cohort for women entrepreneurs in Indianapolis, beginning April 2026.
- Indy Black Chamber of CommerceminorProvides one-year free membership (up to $200) to businesses approved for Real Estate Assistance Fund grants.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
build fund competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Grameen America: Grameen America is a major national CDFI providing microloans to women entrepreneurs in underserved communities across multiple cities. Comparable as a CDFI microlender targeting minority and women-owned businesses, though at significantly larger scale and broader geographic reach.
- Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF): CRF is a national nonprofit CDFI providing capital to community development lenders and small businesses across the U.S. Comparable as a CDFI focused on small business lending in underserved communities, though at much larger scale with national footprint.
- IFF: IFF is a Midwest-focused CDFI providing loans and real estate consulting for nonprofits, child care providers, and affordable housing developers across multiple states. Comparable as a regional CDFI with focus on community development and affordable housing financing in the Midwest.
Direct peers
- CDC Small Business Finance: CDC Small Business Finance is a California-based CDFI providing small business loans and SBA 504 financing, with focus on underserved communities and minority-owned businesses. Comparable as a CDFI small business lender with similar target borrower demographic and mission-driven approach.
- LiftFund: LiftFund is a nonprofit CDFI providing small business loans, primarily in Texas and the Southeast, targeting underserved entrepreneurs and minority-owned businesses. Most directly comparable as a similarly-sized CDFI small business lender with comparable mission and target borrower profile.
- Justine PETERSEN: Justine PETERSEN is a St. Louis-based CDFI providing small business loans, housing counseling, and commercial real estate financing to underserved communities. Comparable as a Midwest/regional CDFI lender with similar small business focus and wraparound services model.
- Pathway Lending: Pathway Lending is a Tennessee-based CDFI providing small business loans, real estate financing, and community development lending. Comparable as a regional CDFI with similar small business and community development focus.
- Chicago Community Loan Fund: Chicago Community Loan Fund is an Illinois-based CDFI providing flexible financing for nonprofit facilities, affordable housing, and community development projects in the Chicago region. Comparable as a regional Midwest CDFI with similar mission and target market.
Emerging players
- Seed Commons: Seed Commons is a national cooperative CDFI providing patient, non-extractive capital to cooperative businesses and community enterprises. Comparable as a CDFI funding underserved community-based businesses with mission-driven, community-focused lending approach.
Regional players
- Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership (INHP): INHP is an Indianapolis-based nonprofit providing homebuyer education, foreclosure prevention, and affordable housing financing in the Indianapolis market. Comparable as an Indianapolis-focused community development organization serving similar underserved populations, though focused on residential housing rather than small business lending.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
build fund social profiles
Digital presencebuild fund compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
build fund financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
build fund leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
build fund funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
build fund 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 build fund
What does build fund do?
Build Fund is a CDFI loan fund that provides small business commercial loans to launch, expand, or rehabilitate businesses and buildings in Central Indiana. It also offers a specialized construction loan program (BuildSmart) for developers and contractors, a grant program (Real Estate Assistance Fund) for Black-owned businesses, and a women-entrepreneurs cohort (EmpowerHER). All offerings are underwritten through a structured 10-step process and accompanied by wrap-around services from partner organizations.
Is build fund a public or private company?
build fund is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was build fund founded?
build fund was founded in 2015.
Where is build fund based?
build fund is headquartered in Indianapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does build fund make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Loan Interest Income is the primary driver. The others are application Fees and buildSmart Loan Program.
Who are build fund's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Grameen America, Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF) and IFF. Direct peers are CDC Small Business Finance, LiftFund, Justine PETERSEN, Pathway Lending and Chicago Community Loan Fund. Seed Commons is listed as an emerging player. Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership (INHP) is listed as a regional player.
Does build fund have an API?
No public API is recorded for build fund.
What industry is build fund in?
build fund's product category is Community Development Lending. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAJAK, Community Development & Affordable Housing Funds, with a secondary code of BPAGALAA, Impact Investing & Social Finance (Funds, CDFIs, Microfinance). Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 6159.