The Nonprofit Will Receive $200,000 in Flexible Funding and Leadership Training to Advance Economic Mobility   AUSTIN – Today, Bank of America named PeopleFund as one of its 2023 Neighborhood Builders® award winners for their work to support entrepreneurs in Austin and throughout Texas. Through this multi-year grant funding and extensive leadership training for the nonprofits’ leadership, programs and services addressing barriers to entrepreneurship will be able to expand. The Neighborhood Builders program is one of the largest philanthropic investments into nonprofit leadership developme ..read more

Monocle Eyewear is a locally-owned eyewear store in downtown El Paso that offers exceptional customer service and premium quality eyewear at affordable prices. Their mission is to inspire self-expression and individuality through affordable eyewear. They believe everyone deserves to feel confident and fashionable in their eyeglasses, regardless of budget. Whether it’s through bold styles or classic designs, Monocle Eyewear aims to empower their customers to confidently showcase their true selves. Owner, Nhan T. Nguyen had 11 years of experience in the optical industry and recognized the p ..read more

Discover the essence of conscious beauty at Wild Desert Beauty, an eco-friendly salon dedicated to providing exceptional hair services and promoting a clean, non-toxic approach. Committed to the well-being of both people and the planet, they actively minimize their environmental footprint through reduced waste, recycling initiatives, and the use of environmentally friendly practices. As a Certified Sustainable establishment with Green Circle Salons, Wild Desert Beauty proudly recovers and repurposes 95% of its salon waste. Owner Allison Carroll, fueled by a passion for sustainability, turned h ..read more

Nestled in the community of Spring, TX, Ardent Tech I.T. Solutions stands out as a beacon of innovative technological solutions. Committed to exceeding client expectations, Ardent Tech builds robust IT infrastructure solutions. Jerome Smith is at the helm of Ardent Tech and has over a decade of experience in I.T. and tech repair. His extensive background includes service in the Medical Corps of the Army for six years, where discipline and dedication were ingrained in his character. It was with this determination that Jerome pursued his vision for Ardent Tech. In our mission to empowe ..read more

Pioneering Fund to Grow to $100 million for Former Military Personnel   AUSTIN, TX – PeopleFund is honored to be one of twelve Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) announcing the expansion of the Veteran Loan Fund, with Bank of America as the lead capital investor. Bank of America is seeding a second round of financing for Veteran Loan Fund, doubling a two-year-old commitment that has already funded more than 500 small businesses built by former military personnel across 37 states. The Veteran Loan Fund, a collaborative effort of a growing number of CDFIs and specialized v ..read more

Nestled in Temple, Texas, Fajita Kings stands out as a hub for diverse culinary experiences. Their menu caters to a broad range of preferences, from savory breakfast tacos to satisfying catering services with sizzling fajitas taking center stage. More than a restaurant, it’s a haven for those seeking Latin-inspired dishes, all-day breakfast options, delightful desserts, and an array of tantalizing drinks. Behind the success of Fajita Kings stands the visionary owner, Fernando Suarez, a true culinary artisan with deep roots in the restaurant industry. Fernando’s journey began in 2003 when he ..read more

PeopleFund is proud to announce that we deployed over $1.5M in loans and $120,000 in grants to 28 small businesses in Austin and Dallas during our inaugural cohorts. Applications open today for BIPOC Small Business Accelerator’s second set of cohorts in Fort Worth and Houston. This program will continue to provide small business owners with the tools that are needed to succeed in their entrepreneurial journey and improve their business acumen. This includes an 8-week training program and access to capital for small businesses.  “We at PeopleFund congratulate and thank the p ..read more

PeopleFund receives historic grant from Truist Foundation   Houston, Dec. 8, 2022 ─ Truist Foundation announced a $3.5 million grant to PeopleFund, a Texas-based Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and nonprofit 501(c)(3) that strives to create economic opportunity and financial stability for underserved people by providing access to capital, education and other resources to build healthy small businesses. Truist Foundation’s grant provides long-term sustainability for PeopleFund’s Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) Small Business Accelerator, a program that pr ..read more

The fund supporting Veteran-Owned Small Businesses expands   AUSTIN, Texas – The Veteran Loan Fund announced that in its first year of operations, its members have deployed more than $15 million across the country, helping 231 businesses create or retain close to 1,200 jobs. 60% of the business owners receiving financial and technical assistance were people of color, 50% low or moderate income and 30% women. These impressive statistics show the importance of the work that this group of CDFIs and their technical assistance partners do, serving those who served for all of us. “PeopleFund is ..read more

PeopleFund announces new Chief Information and Operations Officer Laura Alatorre Kvalheim, accomplished fintech executive, joins Texas’ small business lender   Austin, Texas – PeopleFund is pleased to announce Laura Alatorre Kvalheim as the organization’s new Chief Information and Operations Officer. A seasoned financial services and technology executive, Ms. Kvalheim’s career includes positions at Washington Mutual, JP Morgan Chase, Oportun, ACCION Opportunity Fund, and various startups as well as her own consulting company and food truck business. She is also a proud mentor and member o ..read more