news & stories
Inspiration and Resources for Change Makers
At Access Ventures, we believe our impact will reach only as far as the stories we tell.
We view storytelling as a critical amplifier of our work and the work of our partners, without which we cannot realize our mission.
Explore some of these stories below, and let us know what you think.
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We view storytelling as a powerful way to spark change, exchange ideas, and build empathy. We are currently producing two podcasts that serve as a critical amplifier of our work and the work of our partners.
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We continually share learnings and best practices that advance our collective mission of human flourishing.
An Inclusive & Creative Economy is Equitable
The year 2020 highlighted the need for an equitable, dynamic, and resilient economy as the global pandemic, economic justice movements, and political turmoil exposed systemic inequalities and underscored the importance of creating opportunities for all to thrive.
Place-Based Investing and Opportunity Zones: Looking Back, and Looking Ahead
Blueprint Local, an impact-focused Opportunity Zone investor, continues to navigate challenges and opportunities, leveraging community collaboration and responsible growth in cities like Baltimore and Greenville to achieve attractive returns and meaningful impact, while monitoring potential changes under different political administrations.
Know Homelessness
Homelessness is a complex, community-wide issue requiring both emergency services and preventive measures, and Access Ventures' Know Homelessness campaign aims to change public perception and increase empathy in Louisville and Southern Indiana by sharing real stories and encouraging community involvement to address housing insecurity.
Removing Barriers For Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship in America faces a significant challenge due to a lack of access to capital, particularly in mid-American cities, but initiatives like Access Ventures’ Render Capital aim to address this by providing various funding options to support local entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Render Capital: A New $15M Regional Fund
Access Ventures has launched Render Capital, a $15 million fund designed to provide early-stage risk capital to entrepreneurs in Louisville and Southern Indiana, addressing the regional need for startup funding and stimulating economic growth through initiatives like the Render Competition and various financing options for local businesses.
Access Ventures Announces New Regional Capital Fund
Access Ventures is launching Render Capital, a regional fund to provide $2.5 million in early-stage risk capital to support entrepreneurs in Louisville and Southern Indiana, addressing critical gaps in capital access and fostering economic growth, innovation, and inclusion in the region.
Values In Your Public Equity Portfolio
Access Ventures uses a one-pocket investment approach to align their public equity portfolio with their organizational values, utilizing the Ethic platform to construct an index fund that outperformed the market over four years by integrating environmental, social, and governance metrics, demonstrating that value-driven investing can yield market-rate returns.