Access Ventures Inc logo

Render Capital Early-Stage Investments Program

Access Ventures Inc

Foundation Rolling (Quarterly) Grants for StartupsSmall Business Grants

Funding Amount

Up to $250,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle
Rolling — applications accepted year-round
Tracked since
May 2026

Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.

Overview

Render Capital Early-Stage Investments

Description: Early-stage risk capital program providing flexible financing to local entrepreneurs in Louisville and Southern Indiana through multiple instruments.

Status: Launched February 11, 2025

Geographic Scope: Louisville, Kentucky and Southern Indiana

Funding Types Available:

  • Equity investments

  • Debt financing

  • Revenue-based financing

    • Maximum Investment: Up to $250,000 per entrepreneur/startup

    Purpose: Help local entrepreneurs scale their startups with appropriate capital structures

    Target Audience: Early-stage entrepreneurs in Louisville and Southern Indiana seeking to grow businesses

    Funder Context:

  • Part of Render Capital, a $15 million regional fund

  • Addresses critical gap: 55% of Americans view access to money as most difficult part of starting a business

  • Acknowledges 83% of entrepreneurs grow without traditional venture capital or bank financing

  • Regional strategy to create robust, thriving economy with entrepreneurs seeing Louisville/Southern Indiana as place to find appropriate capital

    • Related Programs:

  • Render Competition (annual $100k awards)

  • Character-based Growth Loan program (previously supplied $800k+ to 33 businesses over 3 years)

    • Program Evolution: Growth Loan program being rolled into this broader Render Capital strategy with new program additions announced

    How to Apply

    How to Apply

    Application Process:

  • Submit through Render Capital portal

  • Specific application procedures, required materials, and submission guidelines not detailed in provided content

    • Funding Instruments:

  • Equity

  • Debt

  • Revenue-based financing

    • Resources:

  • Visit: render.capital

  • Sign up for newsletter for program updates and announcements

  • More program additions being announced over coming weeks and months

    • Application Materials: Not specified in provided content

    Apply with Grantable Learn more

    What Access Ventures Inc actually gave

    Source: IRS Form 990 filing, 2024

    Grants in 2024
    23
    Total given
    $2.25M
    Median grant
    $19K
    Range
    $602–$829K
    • By dollars: Kentucky 39%, Illinois 37%, New York 8%. Top recipient cities: Louisville, KY; San Diego, CA; Buffalo Grove, IL.
    • 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

    Example grants

    • Yulbang USA · Buffalo Grove, IL

      General funds

      $829K

    • Galilee Baptist Church · Louisville, KY

      General funds

      $624K

    • Henry Street Settlement · New York, NY

      General funds

      $175K

    • M1 Institute Leadership Experience · Phoenix, AZ

      General funds

      $163K

    • Ace Project Inc · Louisville, KY

      General funds

      $116K

    IRS Form 990 filing, 2024. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    startupssmall-businesses

    Categories

    Browse similar grants by category

    Grants for StartupsSmall Business Grants

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    $2,000 - $5,000 USD

    Deadline

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