Program Overview
Denver Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO) seeks to increase its investment in entrepreneurs and small businesses through its new Denver Small Business Investment Fund (SBIF), a progressive program with the potential to reach approximately $25 million over five (5) years. The SBIF will provide capital and culturally relevant professional and technical services to support small businesses and entrepreneurs seeking to start, restart, restructure, improve upon or grow in their endeavors.
The SBIF will focus on strengthening Denver’s economic diversity while providing quality job opportunities, ensuring a pipeline of entrepreneurs and small business startups, and creating generational wealth for Denver’s business owners who have historically lacked investment opportunities.
General Statement of Work
DEDO seeks local, regional, or national organizations experienced in small business lending or investing that can bring creative and equitable solutions to Denver businesses looking for funding. In addition to capital disbursement, the selected partner should bring an innovative solution to providing complementary business wraparound services for businesses that receive funding including, but not limited to, culturally relevant, professional, and technical services. Please review the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) Guidelines(PDF, 393KB) before starting the application process.
Materials
Addenda
General Information Meeting - Feb. 28, 2022
Application
- Deadline is Friday, April 1, 2022 at 4 p.m. (MST)
- Technical questions and technical support regarding the online application will be accepted and answered individually up to the proposal submission deadline
- Proposals will ONLY be accepted electronically via the application portal