A standing just over a year in the making, Columbus earns its designation as an official Kiva City this Thursday, July 21.
Kiva Zip brought the microlending platform stateside to improve access to capital for entrepreneurs. Operating on a social underwriting model, Kiva provides zero-interest crowdfunded microloans of up to $10,000.
Over the last year, Kiva Fellow Reese Neader has been building awareness around the resource, rallying community support and raising the necessary funds to make Kiva a permanent fixture in the resource arsenal for local small business. Kiva received its necessary endorsement from the City of Columbus in March on the way to raising the necessary $225,000 to fund future fellowships, build the Kiva Columbus website and support the official launch event.
Columbus will celebrate its official Kiva City Designation with a number of events throughout the day on Thursday. The official lineup via Kiva Columbus includes:
Open coffee with KIVA US director Jonny Price
Join us in starting off the day with a Startup Grind podcast interview featuring KIVA U.S. director Jonny Price sharing the story of Kiva and how tech innovation can be used to build a better world. Catering will be provided thanks to Startup Grind, with video production by Kiva borrower Keida Mascaro. RSVP required, use promo code “Kiva” for free tickets!
When:
8:30 – 9:30 AM
Where:
The Columbus Foundation
1234 E. Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43205
Community Roundtable Event: Women’s Entrepreneurship
Join us at Mission Coffee Co. for our roundtable discussion with local women entrepreneurs who are using Kiva Columbus to launch and expand their businesses. The event will be hosted by Councilmember Elizabeth Brown with delicious coffee and baked goods provided by Kiva borrowers Mission Coffee Co. LLC and Bake Me Happy thanks to sponsorship from Geben Communication.
Come out to support awesome women-owned businesses and learn about how Kiva can continue to be utilized to help others do the same!
When:
10:00 – 11:00 AM
Where:
Mission Coffee Co. LLC
1051 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Community Roundtable: Nonprofit Impact
Join us to discuss how Kiva Columbus can be used by local nonprofits to strengthen their mission, featuring representatives from The Columbus Foundation, Tony R Wells Foundation, United Way of Central Ohio and the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County. The event will be MC’d by Kiva US director Jonny Price.
Food and beverages will be provided by awesome Kiva borrower Rambling House Soda thanks to sponsorship from the Tony R Wells Foundation.
When:
3:30 – 4:30 PM
Where:
Columbus Public Health
240 Parsons Ave.
Columbus, OH 43215
Evening Reception & National Launch Party
Join us in celebrating Kiva Columbus’ official national launch at High Line Car House with live music, local food truck catering from Dos Hermanos and Daredevil Dogs, and an open bar serviced by local microbrews. Kiva Columbus borrowers will be holding a Kiva marketplace promoting their businesses and selling their products.
Remarks will be given by Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, Kiva US director Jonny Price, Reese Neader of Forge Columbus, County Commissioner O’Grady, and Kiva development director Jessica Feingold.
Good times guaranteed for all in rejoicing this huge accomplishment for the city and the opportunities for entrepreneurs it brings!
When:
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Where:
High Line Car House
550 S. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Thursday, July 21 also marks the second annual Passion, Purpose, Profit symposium. Social enterprises CleanTurn and Hot Chicken Takeover will join additional industry experts to explore solutions and business models to employ the formerly incarcerated.
