When GCVF was conceived in 2017, we seemed a bit crazy.

Originally appeared in TechCrunch. Coauthored with David Teten, Founder at Versatile VC (https://versatilevc.com/). More of his writing can be found at Teten.com.

Originally appeared in TechCrunch. Coauthored with David Teten, Founder at Versatile VC (https://versatilevc.com/). Read more of his work at Teten.com.

Recently, in the process of seeking partners for the Greater Colorado Pitch Series, we came across a novel requirement from a foundation — all partner organizations must have a formal non-discrimination policy.

Frankly, this was a miss on GCVF’s part.

81% of entrepreneurs are unserved by traditional capital markets.

According to the Kauffman Foundation, 1% of companies in America raise venture capital and 18% use bank loans.

Sure, some companies will never need any outside funding–true bootstrappers. And more power to them. The rest are stuck, unfunded, in Capital Purgatory. The “debt-equity chasm.”

We’re betting there are a lot of founders within the 81% who would do some pretty amazing things if they had access to risk capital.

We, the Greater Colorado Venture Fund, have found these founders in all corners of our state.

We’re not the first people to think of how to fund the 81% of companies in the debt-equity chasm.

Mezzanine financing often utilizes a combination of funding mechanisms for mid-market companies. Impact investors have been creatively providing risk capital to companies for years. Investors and founders will be problem-solving to get the right capital to the right ideas forever.

From the health crisis to the financial crisis to the looming mental health crisis, we’re facing unprecedented times with these three crisis happening all at once. While I think a lot of amazing efforts are addressing the first two, I’m becoming increasingly more concerned about the latter.