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.
Employer Student Loan Repayments
Access Ventures has been offering student debt repayment as a benefit since 2016, allowing employees to choose between student debt repayment, 401k match, or tuition assistance, and despite initial hurdles, recent legislative changes have made employer contributions towards student loans tax-free, providing a compelling incentive for other employers to adopt similar benefits.
Team Trips
Incorporating various types of team trips, including learning, team building, rest, and strategic planning, Access Ventures emphasizes the importance of shared experiences to strengthen team culture, foster unity, and boost overall productivity through well-planned and immersive activities.
Defining Your Values
This post outlines the process Access Ventures undertook to redefine their core values, emphasizing the importance of collaboratively assessing and refining these values to ensure they reflect the personal principles of the team members and guide the organization’s mission and vision effectively.
Investing In A Vibrant Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
When Access Ventures launched Render Capital in February 2020, the goal was to boost the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Greater Louisville region by providing risk-tolerant, early-stage capital through initiatives like the Render Competition, which invests $100,000 into eight companies annually to foster growth and scalability, demonstrating the region's commitment to supporting startups and attracting external investment.
Consciously Constructing Dynamic Portfolios
Traditional portfolio construction focuses solely on maximizing financial return with minimal risk, often neglecting the impact of investments on values and ethics. Conscious construction challenges this by aligning investments with personal or corporate values without sacrificing returns, emphasizing the importance of evaluating all investments for their broader impact, and seeking out strategies that provide both financial and positive societal returns.
An Inclusive & Creative Economy is Resilient
A resilient and inclusive economy fosters stability, values diversity, supports upward mobility, and ensures equitable opportunities, ultimately upholding the dignity and well-being of all people while enabling growth and innovation.
An Inclusive & Creative Economy is Dynamic
Colonel John Boyd’s OODA Loop highlights the need for dynamic, adaptive strategies, and at Access Ventures, we advocate for inclusive, resilient economies by integrating innovative capital strategies to address both current and future challenges.
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.
Our New Render Capital Fund Announces Virtual Pitch Event
Access Ventures launched Render Capital, a $15 million regional fund to support entrepreneurs in Louisville and Southern Indiana by providing early-stage risk capital, and announced the winners of the 2020 Render Competition, with a virtual pitch event on September 25, where eight startups will each receive $100,000 investments to help them grow and scale in the Greater Louisville region.
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.
Time Is of the Essence
Time is crucial in moments of crisis, and Access Ventures, recognizing the urgency during the COVID-19 pandemic, collaborated with community partners to establish a nearly $1 million Small Business Continuity Loan Fund to quickly provide 0% loans to vulnerable businesses and support local economies.
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.