Capital Bridge

Cohab

Capital Bridge

Building bridges across fragmented resources to ensure entrepreneurs don't fall through the cracks in their capital formation journey.

Shreveport, LA, USA

USA

Nonprofit

Northwest Louisiana has many pieces necessary to creating a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, but those pieces are fragmented and hard to access. Entrepreneurs—particularly those from underserved communities—struggle to access capital despite available resources. The problem affects thousands: Since 2010, Cohab has identified over 1,000 entrepreneurs needing capital formation support, including 350 during COVID. Without coordinated guidance, entrepreneurs approach funders unprepared, resulting in rejection that damages relationships and discourages future attempts. Entrepreneurs face multiple barriers: - Lack of technical preparation to create compelling funding packages - Missing strategic relationships with funding partners - Insufficient continuous support throughout the capital acquisition journey By maintaining a relationship with one entity throughout their funding journey, entrepreneurs are less likely to fall through the cracks that exist in our fractured economic environment. Our solution addresses this by being "the bridge that allows entrepreneurs and business owners to cross from one resource to another with a consistent underlying support system."

Capital Bridge connects entrepreneurs to funding opportunities through a structured pathway with comprehensive wraparound support, including: 1. Readiness Assessment: We help business owners and entrepreneurs build their fundability through detailed financial assessments that identify individualized barriers to capital. 2. Mentorship: We match clients with intention to mentors who will support them with a specific focus on smoothing their path to funding to ensure they get guidance suited to their individual needs. 3. Technical Services: We provide assistance with financial modeling, business planning, and proposal development to help clients create compelling materials that appeal to potential funders. 4. Relationship Building: We participate in the funding process with our clients, making warm intros, attending meetings between funders and entrepreneurs, and facilitating negotiations, to ensure comprehensive support throughout the entire entrepreneurial journey. 5. Continuing Support: Our relationship doesn't just end once our client secures the funding they need. We continue to provide support, helping entrepreneurs deploy capital and build sustainable businesses. By maintaining our relationship with our clients throughout the entrepreneurial journey and second stage growth, we help them successfully navigate Northwest Louisiana's resources and economic environment.

Our solution serves entrepreneurs across Northwest Louisiana who struggle to access capital - which is most of them. Through strategic partnerships, Cohab is building a thriving ecosystem in which people of all races, creeds, and colors can find the resources to pursue their dreams of business ownership, thus growing generational wealth. These entrepreneurs include: - Business owners who know their own industry but often struggle in business basics - Entrepreneurs who need extensive capital formation support - Second-stage business owners in our CEO roundtables Without coordinated guidance, these entrepreneurs often approach funders underprepared, resulting in rejection that discourages future attempts. Our approach helps entrepreneurs see the bigger picture even as they put the pieces together themselves, resulting in increased business formation and growth across socio-economic and cultural groups. This is true of businesses like 3D printed orthotics manufacturer, Bishop. Starting at Cohab, and continuing with our support services after graduating into their first private space, Bishop has grown, yet again, into a larger space with more room for growth. They are currently disrupting the local orthotics market and aiming to gain national growth in 2025.