SMALL BUSINESS FINANCING
DONE BETTER.

UBIZ Venture Capital (UBIZ) is an emerging Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that was incorporated in 2020 to provide much needed, low cost capital to underserved small businesses in the Greater Cleveland area.

We provide intense pre-loan counseling, technical training & Accelerator Programs that are aligned with access to capital.

The core pillars of UBIZ service delivery model include wrap around services to expand the operations of your business.

CONGRATULATIONS 2023 BGA PARTICIPANTS

Walmart
BLACK WOMAN RETAILERS
Spring 2025

Empowering black women suppliers and preparing pathways of success for big box stores.

PepsiCo & NUL
BLACK RESTAURANT ACCELERATOR
Spring 2025

Grant based program focused on operational excellence and profitability for black owned restaurants.

SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM

UBIZ Venture Capital (UVC) is a vehicle that has been strategically established with the full support of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland’s (ULGC) board of directors to bring tangible solutions to disparities in small business lending for African Americans and other disadvantaged small businesses.

UBIZ provides intense pre-loan counseling and technical assistance to minority and disadvantaged businesses that have growth potential but are having difficulty securing much needed capital to scale their businesses. This assistance is provided through the Urban League’s Entrepreneurship Center and other partner organizations. The quality of our loan portfolio is directly related to the emphasis placed on pre-loan counseling to ensure that the business owners fully understand how to manage the business ‘by the numbers’ and have a clear and realistic strategy for sustainable business growth.

The goal of UBIZ Venture Capital's Small Business Loan Program is to make access to capital more readily available to African American & minority-owned businesses with high growth potential. All applicants are assigned a business advisor that works to ensure all required documents are appropriately completed for their loan package.

Repayment Term:

3 - 5 years

Eligible Uses of Funds:

Working capital, receivables or contract financing, equipment & machinery, or tenant & site improvements.

Program Requirements:

  • In business for a minimum of 12 months and generating revenue.

  • Viable with an ability to repay the loan.

  • Current on federal income, payroll, and sales taxes.

  • Organized business financials.

  • Primarily located in Greater Cleveland and/or secondarily

    in other parts of Northeast Ohio.

BEGIN THE PROCESS

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

UBIZ Venture Capital (UVC) is a vehicle that has been strategically established to provide underserved or disadvantaged small businesses an opportunity to compete and grow in their industry. Intense pre-loan counseling and technical training that are aligned with access to capital are the core pillars of UBIZ service delivery model. We could not drive our mission without the assistance of our community partners.

If you would like to become a community partner, please contact Alisa Bray at abray@ulcleveland.org