Support our Borrowers
Invest in Burlington's Entrepreneurs
Interested in helping your favorite Burlington small businesses launch and grow? Consider lending as little as $5 to our borrowers.
The City partners with micro-lending organization Kiva for Burlington's Micro-lending Program to offer zero interest loans to our businesses. Remember, these are loans, not donations, and every dollar you lend will be matched by the City. Once a loan is fully funded, our borrowers will start repaying and you can relend to another Burlington business!
Ready to lend?
To lend to one of our amazing businesses, click on their profile below and select lend. Kiva will prompt you to create an account and you'll be investing in Burlington entrepreneurs in no time!
Fully Funded Borrowers
Meet the up and coming Burlington businesses that have received community investment through Kiva loans. Click on their profiles to read their story.
Gustave Combey - Empire Mawulolo
Burlington, VT
A City-matched Kiva loan helped Gustave build his clothing business in Vermont by helping him expand inventory. Click to read his story!
BIPOC-Owned, Locally Owned
Muhuba Hassan - Champlain Halal Market
Burlington, VT
Thanks to a City-matched Kiva loan, the Champlain Halal Market on North Street will be able to expand their offerings. Click to read Muhuba's story.
BIPOC-Owned, Woman-Owned, Locally Owned
Sophie Deshaies - The Store
Burlington, VT
Sophie has long dreamt of using her experience working in retail to open a small boutique in Burlington with brands for women's, men's, and gender neutral clothing. A City-matched Kiva loan has helped make this dream a reality by covering the security deposit and first month's rent. Click to read her story.
Woman-Owned, Locally Owned
Pamela Tshibangu - Pam's Moda
Burlington, VT
A City-matched Kiva loan is helping Pam's dream to bring an African clothing and accessory store to downtown Burlington a reality! Click to read her story.
BIPOC-Owned, Woman-Owned, Locally Owned
Sabah Hussen - Sabah's House
Burlington, VT
Sabah received a City-matched Kiva loan to launch her first food cart. The loan will allow her to purchase and convert a trailer into a cart that will vend Iraqi food on Church Street Marketplace. Click to reach her story!
BIPOC-Owned, Woman-Owned, Locally Owned
Christina DeMag - Jubilance Salon
Burlington, VT
A City-matched loan helped Jubilance Salon update salon equipment and launch a new apprenticeship program. Click to read her story!
Woman-Owned, Locally Owned
Paul Trombly - Fancy's
Burlington, VT
Fancy's received a City-matched loan to open a veggie-forward brick and mortar restaurant. The loan is supporting start up costs such as initial payroll, equipment and inventory needs. Click to read their story!
Locally Owned
Jose Rodriguez - Ravenmayte
Burlington, VT
A City-matched loan to Jose is supporting Ravenmayte, a holistic health practice offering courses and somatic services build out their website, advertise, and onboard their first staff member. Click to read Jose's story!
BIPOC-Owned, Locally Owned
Abby Portman - Poppy Cafe & Market
Burlington, VT
A City-matched Kiva loan to Abby is helping Poppys redesign and expand their indoor dining space to accommodate more costumers and welcome a new coop tenant. Click to read their story!
Woman-Owned, Locally Owned
Fiston Fimbo - New Life Transportation
Burlington, VT
A Kiva loan matched by the City is supporting Fiston in scaling his business New Life Transportation, a transportation business that helps those with limited mobility get to and from care. Click to to read his story.
BIPOC-Owned, Locally Owned
Andrew Wild - Mighty Deli Slices
Burlington, VT
A Kiva loan is supporting Andrew in the launch of Mighty Deli Slices, a plant-based deli slices company. The City supported loan will fund a professional website, label design, and a commercial blender. Click to read the story of Mighty Deli Slices.
Locally Owned
Vincent Mitchell - YPLAY
Burlington, VT
A Kiva loan is helping Vincent launch a chess tournament for Burlington community youth. Click to learn more about the wonderful work of his company YPLAY!
BIPOC-Owned, Locally Owned
Isaac Owusu - Bedidi
Burlington, VT
A Kiva loan helped Isaac reach his goal of purchasing a food cart. Soon he will be bringing Ghanaian food to Church Street! Click here to read his story.
BIPOC-Owned, Locally Owned
Empress Levi - Empress Levi Soul Food
Burlington, VT
A Kiva loan matched by the City of Burlington is supporting Empress in the purchase of equipment to expand her vegan soul food catering business. Click here to learn more.
BIPOC-Owned, Woman-Owned, Locally Owned
Silvia Greeno - Mas Comida
Burlington, VT
A Kiva loan funded by the Burlington community and matched by the City of Burlington is helping Silvia purchase a food cart to launch Mas Comida on the Church Street Marketplace. Click here to read her story.
BIPOC-Owned, Woman-Owned, Locally Owned
Thank you for your support of Burlington's emerging small business owners. New borrowers are added often, so check back to see who's coming next!